Teaching Water Survival to Children

Year after year, drowning deaths have stunned parents and led to unfortunate headlines.

In many cases, the tragedy could have been avoided, said Priscilla Castellano, facilities manager at St. Joseph's College.

"A child of six months can learn to float on their back," said Castellano at an event held at the college's John A. Danzi Athletic Center promoting the Police Athletic League's swimming survival classes.

"People think that they will hear a cry, but [drowning] is silent," said Castellano.

The school is offering a series of four, 45 minute lessons for children ages five through 10.  The program launched a few years back after several children in the Bellport area drowned.

Castellano said the classes are for swimming survival and are not traditional swimming lessons, as children learn floating skills and are told how to hold their breath.

Patchogue Patch has a guide to pool safety published in the Local Facts section.

For more information on the program, Castellano can be contacted at (631)-687-1448.