Dutchess County Health Department Offers Drowning Prevention Seminars for Summer Swim Safety

With the summer swimming season quickly approaching, the Dutchess County Department of Health (DCDOH) is hosting a series of  Drowning Prevention Seminars to raise awareness about how to quickly identify a swimmer in distress.  These seminars are open to lifeguards, people who have supervision responsibilities for swimming activities, as well as residents interested in protecting loved ones.

Drowning is often “silent” with very little splashing or cries for help. Distressed swimmers cannot call out for help because they are struggling to breathe. However, there are predictable movement patterns/signs of drowning and DCDOH’s Drowning Prevention Seminars teach people how to identify the patterns of drowning and act quickly to save a drowning swimmer.

The presentation will offer guidance for supervising swimmers, how to identify swimmers in distress, an informative video on drowning victim recognition, and a time to discuss lifeguard duties and responsibilities as they relate to DCDOH regulations. All participants who successfully complete the program will be awarded a certificate of attendance.

2025 Drowning Prevention Seminar dates are as follows: 

• Friday, May 23^rd 3:00PM
  Freedom Park, 212 Skidmore Road, Town of LaGrange

• Friday, May 23rd 5:00PM
  Town of East Fishkill Community Center, 890 Route 82, Town of East Fishkill

• Wednesday, May 28th 1:30PM
  Bowdoin Park, 85 Sheafe Road, Town of Poughkeepsie
• Friday, June 13th 2:00PM –  Open to lifeguards ONLY
  Ramapo For Children, 22 Camp Ramapo Road, Town of Rhinebeck

• Friday, June 20^th– 4:00PM
  Beekman Recreation, 29 Recreation Center Road, Town of Beekman

The schedule can also be found online.  Check back often as additional dates may be added or locations/times changed after publication.

Seating for the seminars is limited. To make a reservation, please contact DCDOH, Monday-Friday from 9AM – 5PM, at (845) 486-3404 or by e-mail to ehs@dutchessny.gov. The Department asks that reservations are made at least two days prior to the event.   Please direct all information requests to the DCDOH and not the individual seminar sites.

Facilities interested in setting up a training session for lifeguards or members of a homeowners’ association may also contact the Department.

To learn more about the Dutchess County Department of Health, visit dutchessny.gov/health.