ON THE WATER: Water safety focus of event

With so many people visiting the Orange County coast throughout the summer, lifeguards and safety crews were kept busy assisting stranded or exhausted swimmers caught in the surf.

But people who drown don’t always meet their peril at the beach. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, 350 people in the United States drowned in bathtubs last year. Last month a Costa Mesa teenager drowned while swimming with a relative in a community pool.

The Swim For Life Foundation tries to prevent as many drownings as possible. That’s why it is hosting an annual event to teach water safety to the public. This year’s program, Drowning is Everyone’s Problem, kicks off at 10 a.m. Sunday at Corona del Mar State Beach.

The Swim For Life reasserts the idea that water safety concerns shouldn’t end with the summer, said Swim For Life coordinator Johnny Johnson, who also owns the Blue Buoy Swim School in Tustin.

When Johnson started the event in 2003, only six people attended. Last year more than 60 swam, and even more are expected to show this weekend.

Although 2/3 of all drownings happen between May and August, Swim For Life organizers want to remind people the risk of drowning is a 12-month reality. There were three near-drownings alone over Labor Day Weekend in Orange County, Johnson said.

Part of the event’s approach to drowning prevention is called the “Safer 3.” This program calls for “safer water,” which guards against children entering unsupervised pools; “safer kids,” achieved through constant adult supervision, as well as by ensuring children are given swimming lessons; and “safer response” which includes knowledge of CPR and rescue techniques.

Participants get the added bonus of hitting the water alongside Olympic swimmers Erich Fischer, Andrew Strenk, John Mukkanen and Bruce Furniss and Chad Hundeby, the 11-year world record holder for the English Channel swim.

“There’s so many core values that this sport taught me; but at the end of the day, what you’re left with once you leave your ego at the pool is to know this is just a great form of exercise,” Furniss said.

Sunday is more to celebrate the fitness aspects of swimming, he added. Furniss will make a 1.5-mile swim this year with two of his sons, Kyle, 13, and Troy, 9.

Parents can never be vigilant enough in protecting their children from dangers in the water, including themselves, but “you can do things that will lower the risks and have your child develop better swimming skills,” Furniss said.

The event is free but monetary donations will be accepted. Participants younger than 15 must swim with an adult buddy. To participate in the event, make a donation, or for more information call the Swim for Life Foundation at (714) 227-6000 or visit www.swimforlife.com.