12th Annual April Pools Day honors local heroes and encourages water safety practices

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, King County Executive Ron Sims, Public Health - Seattle & King County, the American Red Cross, and members of the Washington State Drowning Prevention Network met at Issaquah’s Julius Boehm Pool to honor several local heroes who performed water rescues and to promote April Pools Day 2005.

“Boating, swimming, and leisure time at the beach create precious summer memories,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “However, as a former lifeguard, I know that water activities can also be dangerous. April Pools Day events provide a fun way to learn how to minimize the dangers of water sports.”

Saturday, April 16, is April Pools Day at pools in King County and around the State. April Pools Day was conceived twelve years ago as an enjoyable way to teach children, youth and adults how to stay safe in the water. Many April Pools Day events combine water safety activities and a free swim for families. This year 39 pools in King County and around Washington will take part in April Pools Day during the month of April.

“Swimming, kayaking, and canoeing are great ways to have fun and be physically active,” said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “However, last year 20 King County residents drowned. Please protect yourself and loved ones by diligently supervising children, wearing a life jacket or vest when in or around open water, and avoiding the deadly mix of alcohol, drugs, and water activities.”

“I encourage everyone to spend their summer relaxing at our county’s beautiful pools and beaches, but always remember the importance of water safety. Drowning is a leading cause of injury death, especially among youth,” said King County Councilmember and King County Board of Health Chair Carolyn Edmonds.

For more information on water safety and a list of participating pools, please visit www.metrokc.gov/health/injury or call the Red Cross at 206-726-3544.

“Every year Issaquah’s Julius Boehm Pool sponsors a lively April Pools Day and this year is no exception,” said Issaquah Mayor and King County Board of Health member Ava Frisinger. “Join us tomorrow at this beautiful pool and learn how to stay safe in the water.”

At today’s event Executive Sims and others honored the following people:

Seattle residents Mathew Sas and Travis Leer. Mr. Sas and Mr. Leer rescued a father and son from Lake Union after the wheelchair-bound son fell into the water when exiting his father’s boat.

Shoreline student Will Maxson. Thirteen-year-old Will saved a fellow Boy Scout who fell into a small lake and did not emerge. Will dove into the lake, grabbed the other boy, and kept the boy afloat until troop leaders arrived and pulled both boys from the lake.

Five-year-old Brock Bradley. At an-end-of-the-year preschool party, Brock saw another boy swim into deep water and begin to drown. Before the adults reacted, Brock jumped into the pool and brought the other boy safely to the edge of the pool.

Seattle lifeguard Cliff Evert. Mr. Evert teaches water safety at Seattle’s Meadowbrook Pool. Cliff’s lessons on boating safety and the importance of wearing a life jacket so impressed a nine-year-old student that she insisted her family wear them on a rafting trip last year. At one point during the trip, the raft overturned and ejected everyone into the cold water. Happily everyone was wearing a life jacket, and no one was injured.

Important water safety tips

Avoid swimming, boating, or other water sports if drinking or using other drugs.

Wear a life jacket or vest when swimming or boating in open water like the ocean, lakes and rivers.

Ensure that infants and children wear a life jacket or vest when in or near open water. Washington law requires children twelve years old and younger to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or vest on all vessels less than nineteen feet.

Supervise children when they are in or near all types of water. Appoint sober adults to supervise children at beach or pool gatherings. Ensure supervisors are close enough to provide immediate rescue to children in need.

Ensure all family members know how to swim.

Swim only in areas with lifeguards.

Learn CPR.

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