Chestnut Ridge, NY, May, 2010. Swim/Infant Aquatics Instructors Keri Tom and Cari Lopez — premier drowning prevention and aquatic survival specialists — will appear June 19 and 20 at B&B Pool and Spa Center to present information and demonstrate infant water survival skills. Tom and Lopez will appear at B&B's Chestnut Ridge Showroom for the second year in a row. The programs are free and open to the public.
Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages four and under in the United States, yet it’s not widely known that more than 70% of those incidents happen in natural bodies of water — not in man-made pools. In fact, more children lose their lives in buckets of water than they do in swimming pools.
An advocate for safe pools and spas since its founding in 1972, B&B continues its active role by creating greater public awareness about water safety and ways to help increase safe recreation in public waterways. “As a member of the national Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, B&B is committed to promoting consumer safety,” said Craig Bagin, B&B’s Vice President. The company’s efforts have resulted in B&B Pool and Spa Center being named the official Water Safety Sponsor by both the American Heritage Rivers Alliance and the Hudson River Navigator.
“Children who grow up with pools have the distinct advantage of being able to learn to swim safely under the guidance of parents and guardians,” said Craig Bagin, "And we recommend that everyone learn how to swim as early as possible."
Visitors to the B&B showroom, especially parents of young children, can meet trainers Tom and Lopez. “Teaching babies the most essential survival skill, how to roll-to-float and continue to breathe, is not something most parents even think is possible,” Lopez noted. “Even after taking years of swimming lessons, many children haven’t been able to fully learn survival skills.” To help remedy this problem, B&B will host two informational sessions with Tom and Lopez on each day of the weekend at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20.
“If you’ve never seen what these trainers can do, you’re in for an amazing, eye-opening experience,” explained Bruce Bagin, President of B&B. “Watching a six-month old who can save herself in the water is one of the most emotional experiences I’ve ever had.”
After the free orientations at the B&B showroom, Tom and Lopez will be offering infant Aquatics lessons in the NY and northern NJ area from June 21 – July 30. Morning lessons will be held at Pearl River, NY; early afternoon lessons will be held in Emerson, NJ; and late afternoon lessons will be held in White Plains, NY. It takes 4-6 weeks of daily lessons (Mon-Fri) to complete the full series. Per child, there is an initial registration fee of $75 and lesson fees are $195 per week.
B&B takes a pro-active role in making pools and spas as safe as possible for everyone who uses them. To learn more about events at B&B Pool and Spa Center, call 888-576-9344 or visit their website, BBPoolAndSpa.com.
