ACR 77: Drowning Awareness and Prevention Month.

WHEREAS, According to the Drowning Prevention Foundation and the State Department of Public Health’s EPICenter injury surveillance system, drowning is the leading cause of death among children 1 to 4 years of age, inclusive, the second leading cause of death for children 5 to 14 years of age, inclusive, and the third leading cause of death for teenagers and youth 15 to 24 years of age, inclusive; and

WHEREAS, More than 430 Californians of all ages suffer fatal drowning incidents annually and hundreds more become nonfatal, rescued, drowning victims; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, for every child who dies from drowning, another seven receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries; and

WHEREAS, Survivors of nonfatal drowning are often left with permanent brain damage and require lifelong assistance; and

WHEREAS, Childhood drowning and nonfatal drowning can happen in a matter of seconds; and

WHEREAS, Eighty-eight percent of all child drowning incidents occur when an adult is present; and

WHEREAS, As many as 20 percent of nonfatal drowning survivors suffer severe, permanent neurological disability, often resulting in high medical costs to the family and millions of dollars in costs to taxpayers in the form of medical benefits; and

WHEREAS, Often drowning occurs silently without any warning or splashing sounds; and

WHEREAS, It is crucial for families to learn essential lifesaving practices to prevent drowning and to safeguard their children’s safety; and

WHEREAS, Two-thirds of all drowning accidents occur between the months of May and August; and

WHEREAS, The month of May of each year is recognized as National Drowning Prevention Month and National Water Safety Month; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the month of May 2025 be observed as Drowning Awareness and Prevention Month in California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature hereby recognizes Nadina Riggsbee, her daughter, Samira, and her son, JJ, in honor of Ms. Riggsbee’s retirement from her position as the President and Founder of the Drowning Prevention Foundation and to acknowledge her role as California’s matriarch of drowning prevention. Ms. Riggsbee has worked tirelessly for more than 30 years to further the cause of drowning prevention in California and to support the development of many successful state, regional, and local drowning prevention and child safety organizations while providing care and support to other families affected by the loss of a child to drowning; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.