Drowning Warriors Podcast

Pirates Bay Water Park Baytown Texas

Aquatics Operation Manager

We are talking with Journey Amos, she is the Aquatics Operation Manager with the City of Baytown Texas. A Rather large operation that employs 100's of lifeguard and staff that support the customer along with handling all the maintenance to maintaining the facility right down to the water quality to keep you safe so you can enjoy the water and all that has to offer.

Listen to today's episode to get the whole story and to understand the importance of haveing a "Culture of Safety".

Journey, just like so many other aquatic professionals got started young as a lifeguard and working her way up the ladder to where she manages community pools to provide lifeguards. To where is now today with the City of Baytown Tx.

We talk about the challenges to hire qualified lifeguards as it's not just a problem for her but that of many other facilities to have the lifeguard pass the minimum swim test.

Proud supporter ofThe Kels GroupThe WAVE System Drowning Detection http://.wavedds.com

'Culture of Safety that has to be in place with an operation like this, right down to finding the parent of a 2 year old that may have wondered off from their parents. Having parents understand that they need to keep their children at an arms length away at all time. The water is a dangerous place for children, as drowning is the leading cause of accidental death to children ages 1-4. It is a priority of Journey's but also of ours here at the Kels Group to educate parents on the importance of learning to swim and to properly supervise children at all times as the staff and lifeguard are not babysitters.

I have explained this many times before in my own situation regarding my daughters drowning. As parents we must be responsible. Understand that it can happen to you as drowning can happen to anyone at any time when they are in the water regardless of ability to swim or supervision. We are Human and because we are we make mistakes. Understand water safety and know the rules. Learn to swim at the earliest age and yes that includes you too Moms and Dads.

Website for Pirates Bay, Calypso Cove Baytown Aqautics

Connect with Journey Amos on LinkedIn or contact her via email at [email protected]

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Here is something to think about and a question to ask. The pool you attend, is that pool maintained and safe? So Is Your Pool Safe? Tim's mission with Fluid Design Concepts, is to create, build and maintain safe, clean and efficient aquatic facilities for regional communities, families and individuals for generations to come. Tim has over 45 years of hands on design, construction, operational and educational experience in the aquatics industry; He is looking forward to continuing his work in the commercial and residential swimming pool, spa and fountain markets. His focus now being to provide others with his expertise in design, consulting and management services from initial concept to completion and beyond.

Listen as we help you answer the question is your pool safe? Today's episode as Tim shares some stories and examples from his experiences that he has seen, not to mention just what you can look for or ask the pool manager or operator about.

Is the water that your swimming in healthy?

One of Tim's many goals at Fluid Design Concepts, is to determine his clients needs, wants and desires so that he may provide them with services that will far exceed their expectations. His approach is a holistic one, taking into account owner requests, code requirements, safety, budget, energy efficiencies, spacial allotments, topography of the property, path of the sun, primary direction of the wind, entry and exit points as well as other criteria including ease of operation and maintenance.

You can reach Tim through his website at https://www.fdcva.com/

Email Tim at [email protected] A great way to reach him via LinkedIn

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Leave a message, comment or feedback about this episode or if you would like to record that question click the link below.

Jaimie Clout with the City of Bristol Connecticut at the Live Demo of The WAVE System ( Drowning Detection Technology) Also pictured Mark Caron with The WAVE

Aquatic Facility Training Staffing

In todays episode 42 Jamie talks about aquatic facility training and staffing. It's the end of January 2019, the first month of the year has come and gone. It's winter not to mention cold out. Jaimie shares with us that just because it's winter and cold, that the pool doesn't slow down. They are busy all year round.

Jaimie started at a young age following her dream and desire to save lives. Listen as she also shares about events and lessons that she has learned. Listen to our first episode with Jaimie EP028 Spotlighting Her Passion with Jaimie Clout Aquatics Director Stating at a Young Age

They employ approx. 100 lifeguards. The hiring & aquatic facility training and staffing that starts in January getting ready for the summer months. Jaimie is with Bristol Parks and Recreation Department, she oversees two seasonal outdoor facilities and one indoor year round facilities Click here to visit their website

Water Safety and Drowning Prevention is a top priority at facilities like Jaimie's. Listen as she talks about standards of their operation. Not only that, she also shares how much of the training is focused on real world examples so that the lifeguards understand the importance of their jobs

Not all facilities are equal in the way that they are managed, Jaimie tell us how the State of Connecticut is one of the States leading the way in water safety & drowning prevention.

My wife and I had the opportunity to meet Jaimie personally the first week of January as we learned about new technology that is referred to as Drowning Detection. The WAVE System that we had the opportunity to see a live demo at her facility in Bristol. To learn more about The WAVE you can listen to Episode 18

If you are ever in the Bristol Connecticut area stop in and see their operation and introduce yourself to her. As she's a new parent of a 1-year-old, this has allowed her to see the importance of water safety and relate it to real life. Let me say after many talks and meeting her. Jaimie is extremely passionate about the importance of water safety and drowning prevention. As a father who lost a daughter to a drowning in a guarded pool, I can tell the difference between a professional and someone who looks at what they do is just another job. Jamie is the example of a, Professional Water Safety Advocate. You can follow and connect with Jaimie on LinkedIn

Reach out to Jaimie or you can leave a comment or question below or record your message and we'll share that with her, just maybe we'll share it on a future podcast.

Reach out to us if you would like us to speak at your facility with our personal story and how it may apply to your lifeguards with that real life importance of keeping people safe, so everyone can go home as a family at the end of the day.

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Mark Caron and Dave Cutler with The Wave System Drowning Detection

Seconds Count and The WAVE Drowning Detection system counts those seconds. As I was leading up at the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 that we took a trip to Bristol Connecticut to watch a live demo of The WAVE System Drowning Detection.

Seconds count drowning detection. Listen to this episode and Episode #40 plus Episode #18 as we talk about the WAVE plus listen to Dave and Mark explain about The WAVE Drowning Detection System. Listen to out podcast episode 28 with Jamie Clout aquatics director in Bristol Connecticut

"I have said now for the last year if this technology was around in 1993 when my daughter had drowned she would still be here today"

Check out their website to learn more and contact them with your questions and let them know when you could see a DEMO of the system in the pool http://wavedds.com

Understand that seconds count drowning detection, puts a stop watch on every swimmer.

Plus I had mention at the end of the podcast about a company in Switzerland that reached out to us about what they offer up for drowning detection http://www.bluefox-poolsafety.com/ and https://www.bluefox-swiss.com/

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Record your thoughts on the development of this technology below

The WAVE System

It's 2019 the New Year and we all make those new Year's Resolutions. Right? How many of you already have gave up on yours? Plus what's going on this weekend? Check out the WAVE System and what they are have to offer around water safety and drowning prevention. Let me just say that if this technology was around in 1993 my daughter would still be here. What are you doing to expand your horizon, your reach to learn what all is out there? You can follow our journey this weekend to learn more if you are not able to make it.

Listen to this week's episode what that is all about. You can checkout our profile on each of these accounts and follow us on Instagram also our Twitter account, LinkedIn plus my personal Facebook page. We'll follow up on this in next week's podcast.

Follow Eric and his #lifesaverchallenge check out his Facebook page.

Here is the link to the video that I did on New Years Eve for our #lifesaverchallenge

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Email me at [email protected] if you would like to receive a copy of our powerpoint explaining what we are doing to grow our reach

Leave a comment or record your comment below. Let us know what you're going to do to reach new people this year.

ROADTRIP

Coming up in 2019. If you're like most people you have been looking back on the year that we are about to finishing up. So many good things however, so many bad things. We have had so many new families join us on our mission. Not what we would like to have happen for obvious reasons.

Coming up in 2019. I wanted to take this episode and talk about things coming up in 2019, where we will be at a New Product Live DEMO on January 6th, 2019 and NDPA April 15-19 in New Orleans

Here is the link for our Christmas Program that we went live on December 20, 2018 Lost but not Forgotten

Here is the Link to The WAVE Drowning Detection Systems. podcast episode also click here to learn more about the WAVE

EP018 The Wave System Drowning Detection This Technology is in our Hands Everyday

Coming up in 2019. Check Out the NDPA Conference, get involved. We look forward to seeing your there and meeting you. Let us know if you are planning on attending, also if you have some question you would like to ask me about the importance of why you need to attend email at [email protected]

Coming up in 2019. If you would like to set a time to learn more about how we are managing our outreach and social media reach to grow our numbers http://thekelsgroup.com/letstalk to set a time to chat with us.

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Record your comments or questions or you can just post your comment below. We would love to hear from you.

This week's Episode we are going to recognize the families and loved ones that have been lost to drowning. As part of our Christmas Program we wanted to take this time that is so very difficult for so many people and read off the names of the families, their loved ones, birthdate and the date of drowning.

There is one thing I would like to say.

Drowning is the Leading Cause of Accidental Death to Children Under the Age of 5 and the 2nd Leading Cause of Accidental Death to Children Under 15.

While we read these name I want you to listen to the dates and hear just how young these children are and how these families may feel not to be spending this time with their children.

We had asked people to send in via email with their request for us to read the names of their loved one on our show. Even though that we had a very good response when we first sent out the email and post and it was shared by a few people. This is a part of our show that will be done again next year. So make sure you subscribe to our podcast so you will receive emails for future events and special recognition that you would want to be part of.

Here is a list of the Families and Loved ones that were emailed in

The Robertson Family Nathan Matthew Robertson April 16th-2012 to Nov. 6th 2016The Babcock family Carissa Jo Babcock May 4, 2006- August 29, 2015The Mertz Family Colynn Robert Mertz June 20, 2015-December 13, 2017The Erodenko Family Maximus Richard Erodenko "Max" Sept 17 2016 - April 20 2018The Catalina Family Colt W. Catalina Jan 18 2008-March 21, 2010The Stoner & Truett family Peyton Truett Sept 9 2008-August 25 2013Harold Johnson Family Jmari Johnson Dec 7th 2005 - March 15th 2008The Morrison Family Jake Roarke Morrison Jan 10 2011 - Nov. 30 2013The Barnes Family Cayla Barnes Nov 1 2008-July 18 2010The Hines Family Jonathan W. Murray Jan 23 2014--June 24 2017The Johnson family Tylon B.M. Johnson April 20 2008-June 5 2017The Grays Family Bria Nicole Harvey Jan 11 2001 - May 29 2005The Linn Family Jaydon Linn Nov 2, 2010 - Marc 26 2016The Falzone/Kennedy family Shaylynn L. Kennedy March 14 2017- July 12 2018Candice Jaunice Brown Family Mayson Khalil M. Brown June 26 2014-Jan 5 2018Shan Shaw Carissa Jo Babcock aka Scooter May 4, 2006 Lost August 28,2015 found August 29, 2015The Bennett Family Jackson J Bennett Dec 23 2014 - July 13 2016Douglas Victory Staniewicz Douglas Cayden Staniewicz Aug. 25, 2014 - Oct. 15, 2017The Kauffman family Kelsey Leigh Kauffman July 3, 1989 - June 15 1993

My wife Lori and I along with our family we would like to wish you and your family a Blessed Christmas and Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.

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As we did not schedule a guest for this week, we have been working on our Christmas Program for next week. We will be recognizing the families that have asked and sent us the information so we can lift them up at this time of the year, to remember them and their loved one who were lost to a drowning. 

Today's Podcast

I would like to take this time to reflect on the year, what we did right, and all the work that you have done. What we can do better going into 2019.

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"According to the CDC 37% of adults can't swim the length of the pool" Learn to Swim

Kim lives in San Diego, CA where she has been providing customized swim lessons for all ages and abilities since 1991. She is an innovator in swimming instruction for people with autism and those overcoming water phobias. Her successful record of aquatic breakthroughs inspired her to found Face in Water, a non-profit organization that helps individuals worldwide develop lifesaving water skills. She has a California Teaching Credential in English and uses her teaching expertise to bring aquatic health education to families. Kim enjoys bringing others out of their comfort zones and to new levels they didn't think were possible. Learn to Swim.

Teaching a Healthy Respect for the Water

Learn to Swim - Check out her FREE online course Teaching a Healthy Respect for the Water  also Get access to her Learn to Swim Today 100+ page e-book:

Teach Your Child How to Swim

Swim Mission: Honduras

Uganda Swimming and Water Safety Outreach

You can reach Kim on her LinkedIn page, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram

Email Kim at [email protected]

Learntoswimtoday.com

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Leave a comment below or better yet record a comment or a question and we just may play it on a future podcast.

Mother and Drowning Prevention Advocate Parents Preventing Childhood Drownings Read Jenny's story and listen to today's podcast as she talks more about her story and what she has begun, a mission to create change. She's on a mission so that other parents do not have to know her pain and what she didn't know that exists around water.

There is a common theme as I talk with other parents that understand what I understand is we thought we did everything right.

Visit Parents to Preventing Childhood Drowning

Listen to our show and read her story below

"Hi, my name is Jenny Bennett. I am a mother of 4 children and a full-time emergency room nurse. I am currently helping in the trauma department to help my hospital become a Level 3 Trauma Center. I have been a nurse for nearly 12 years, 9 of which in the emergency room. I am also an ENPC instructor and teach other nurses about emergency pediatric care.

Two summers ago, I lost my son Jackson to an accidental drowning in our backyard pool. He was 18 months old. A simple miscommunication of my son’s whereabouts plus a curious toddler led to him  finding our backyard pool unprotected. I’m not sure if he jumped in or fell in, but he loved swimming so

my guess is that he just wanted to have some fun. I thought I was one of those super safe mother’s and that this type of thing would never happen to me. Yes, I knew drowning was a risk, but I figured if my son couldn’t get out our back door, then he would be okay. We were comfortable in our home, which

we also made very safe for our son. Strange thing is, no one ever mentioned anything to me about childhood drowning prevention, not even my pediatrician.

I spent two years thinking about what I did wrong and things I should have done differently, ashamed of the mistakes I had made. But now, I want to focus on what we can do better. I had no idea drowning was the leading cause of accidental death for children aged 1-4. I’ve learned so much these past few

years and I have determined that our entire culture around childhood swimming needs to change.

Children need to be taught how to be safe in the water. Layers of protection need to surround the pool to protect your little one.

After I lost Jackson, I had another son. His name is Asher and he is now 18 months old. Putting my son through ISR swim lessons this last summer opened my eyes to all the mistakes I made with Jackson.

Mistakes that I didn’t even know would be detrimental, such as parent-child swimming lessons and  puddle jumper floatation devices. Now, I want to make sure others know this information before it is too late for them and their child.

This summer, I began a small campaign for my hospital for drowning prevention. It started with a pamphlet. Then I spoke at the Chamber of Commerce, then volunteered at a community event and then a baby fair. Now, I am attempting to get all the Gulf Coast area HCA hospitals (21) together to

share this drowning prevention/ injury prevention initiative within their own hospitals.

But I want to do more, which brings me to PPCD. Parents Preventing Childhood Drowning was created by several non-profits and individuals like myself who are dedicated in preventing childhood drownings. We formed in August of this year over a Skype phone call. We all have similar beliefs when it comes to protecting children from drowning. We want other organizations to come together for this cause, not compete with one another, we all have the same goals. We also want to include people who do not belong to an existing organization; a mother who lost her child to drowning who wants to join the fight, an ISR instructor who has dedicated his life to saving children from drowning, a family who had a near drowning experience with their son and are so thankful h...