U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan Forms Nonprofit

The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan has formed its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Created in response to urging by the World Health Organization for nations to develop plans for preventing drownings, The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan was released in 2023. It was written through a collaboration among several U.S. water-safety organizations. It had been housed by different groups since it began. Now, the plan will have its own nonprofit to put it in a better position for fundraising.

“This new nonprofit is being formed to create longterm sustainability for the plan and to make sure that funds [continue] for this lifesaving work,” said Megan Ferraro, chair for the plan and executive director of the ZAC Foundation. “We had hundreds of stakeholders participate in developing this plan. It is critical to make sure the work continues to live to its full potential in reaching as many Americans as possible.”

The plan comprises 98 recommendations for minimizing drowning. The recommendations fall under six categories: Barriers, Entrapment, and Electrical Safety; Data and Public Health Surveillance; Life Jackets, Personal Flotation Devices, and Other Flotation; Rescue and CPR; Lifeguards and Supervision; and Water Safety, Water Competency, and Swimming Lessons. States and municipalities are encouraged to develop their own action plans tailored to the hazards and populations found in their areas. So far, California, Hawaii and New Jersey have published their own plans, with Texas and Florida reportedly making significant progress.