Note & Float - Aquatic Safety Research Group

Each year, drowning claims the lives of thousands worldwide... many of them children, and many in preventable situations.

As we recognize Water Safety Month, Aquatic Safety Research Group encourages everyone to take a moment to think about the role we all play in keeping people safe in and around the water.

Water safety is not just a conversation for lifeguards or aquatic professionals. It involves parents, caregivers, facility operators, swim instructors, and anyone who spends time near pools, lakes, beaches, or water attractions.

This month is an important reminder to:

- Talk to children and families about water safety.

- Never assume someone else is watching the water.

- Support and properly train lifeguards and aquatic staff.

- Encourage ongoing in-service training and emergency readiness.

- Stay alert to changing water conditions and swimmer behavior.

- For weak and inexperienced swimmers to wear USCG-approved lifejackets in ALL bodies of water.

Preparedness, education, and proactive safety measures can make a life-saving difference.

If your facility is interested in additional training, resources, or safety support, here are a few INNOVATIVE programs and resources available to you:

Facility Safety Evaluations & Audits (On-Site or Virtual): https://aquaticsafetygroup.com/services/

The Complete Swimming Pool Reference, 3rd Edition: https://sagamorepub.com/products/the-complete-swimming-pool-reference-3rd-ed

Safer Beaches: https://us.humankinetics.com/products/safer-beaches-pdf

Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Vision App: https://drtomslifeguardvision.com/

Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention Certification: https://certification.underwaterhypoxicblackout.org/

Take A Breath Seth: https://takeabreathseth.com/

Dr. Tom's Lifeguard Chronicles: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Toms-Lifeguard-Chronicles-Griffiths/dp/1662940491

Let Water Safety Month be more than awareness... let it inspire action, education, preparedness, and prevention throughout the entire swim season.

Stay safe, stay alert, and have a safe swim season!

Dr. Tom's Lifeguard Chronicles Dr. Tom's Lifeguard Chronicles

New Podcast Episode is Live!

We’re joined by special guest Madison Marchegiano, who shares a powerful and emotional story behind why she started her foundation after the tragic drowning of a childhood friend, C**t.

This episode is about more than a story... it’s about awareness, prevention, and saving lives.

A must-listen for anyone around water, families, and safety advocates

Listen here on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cUJiNRr926ldu1MMKsrav?si=1jkkQcpGRJiQzFkHjfi3wQ

SPECIAL Episode 89 - Interview about family friend Drowning with Madison of C**t Catalina Foundation The Drowning Files · Episode

For decades, Aquatic Safety Research Group has been committed to one mission: preventing drowning through education, research, and practical training.

Today we’re proud to announce something important.

Aquatic Safety Research Group has partnered with Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention to launch the official Underwater Hypoxic Blackout (UHB) Certification Course.

Underwater Hypoxic Blackout (formerly known as shallow water blackout) remains one of the most misunderstood and preventable drowning risks in aquatics.

This new certification equips aquatic professionals to:

✔ Recognize the warning signs

✔ Prevent dangerous breath-holding behaviors

✔ Implement safer training alternatives

✔ Respond correctly in emergency situations

✔ Establish facility-wide prevention protocols

The training includes:

• The science behind UHB and loss of consciousness

• The evolution from Shallow Water Blackout to Underwater Hypoxic Blackout

• Recognizing dangerous breath-holding practices

• Safer training alternatives for swimmers

• Emergency response protocols

• Facility prevention standards and signage

The course also includes video instruction, interactive learning tools, real-world case studies, and the powerful documentary “Don’t Hold Your Breath,” sharing Chandler Watson’s story.

Upon completion, participants receive a digital certification for professional records and training documentation.

If you are a coach, lifeguard, aquatic director, facility operator, or swim parent, this course was built for you.

Start today.
Lead prevention in your community.
Help stop preventable drownings from UHB.

Enroll now: https://certification.underwaterhypoxicblackout.org

Together, we can ensure every breath counts... safely.

The Drowning Files Episode 86: Left on the Beach

A couple walked away from their baby at the beach. Action was taken quickly from bystanders.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7BO8OnL3JFCHoo0VLjkVzg

Each week, we analyze real-life aquatic lawsuits and incidents, offering practical takeaways for both aquatic professionals and parents/caregivers.

It’s Giving Tuesday!

Since 2014, Note & Float Life Jacket Fund has helped children across the country learn to float before they swim... building safety awareness in the water.

Today, your generosity keeps that momentum going.

Every gift equips pools with U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets and supports trusted, evidence-based water-safety education.

Please join us and make today count!

Donate now for Giving Tuesday: https://noteandfloatlifejackets.org/donate.html

With heartfelt thanks,

Aquatic Safety Research Group
Note & Float Life Jacket Fund
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization | EIN: 46-5263998

Learn more or schedule your evaluation here:
https://aquaticsafetygroup.com/on-site-evaluation-and-walk-through/

The Drowning Files Episode 85: An Attractive Hazard

Dr. Tom Griffiths discusses an attractive venue that can be dangerous.

Retention ponds attract wildlife, but unfortunately kids sometimes too. He details the dangers in this case.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zoykLupb07qMpuN16ot5m

Each week, we analyze real-life aquatic lawsuits and incidents, offering practical takeaways for both aquatic professionals and parents/caregivers.

Episode 85 - An Attractive Hazard The Drowning Files · Episode

We're excited to share that the Note & Float Life Jacket Fund recently donated a full set of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets to the Edwards-Knox Central School pool.

With the support of their Pool Facilities Manager and Head Lifeguard, Edwards-Knox is now implementing the Note & Float program... a proven, effective way to prevent drownings by identifying non-swimmers and floating them in properly fitted life jackets.

While life jackets are often associated with open water, they can be just as lifesaving in pools.

That's the mission behind Note & Float... to shift the culture around pool safety and ensure every child gets the chance to learn to swim safely.

Through the Aquatic Safety Research Group, we also provide educational resources like Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Vision, a lifeguard training program that simulates real drowning scenarios to sharpen detection skills. The app even includes reminders about when children should wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets... reinforcing the same safety principles behind the Note & Float program.

Whether it's flotation or focused training, we're here to support aquatic facilities with life-saving solutions backed by experience and research.

If your facility is interested in bringing Note & Float, or any of our programs to your pool, we'd love to connect.

Thank you to Edwards-Knox for taking action and leading by example.

Stay safe,

Dr. Tom Griffiths and Dr. Rachel Griffiths
Aquatic Safety Research Group
www.aquaticsafetygroup.com
www.noteandfloatlifejackets.org

(814) 321-5242

The Drowning Files Episode 84: Where's the Chlorine?

Dr. Tom Griffiths discusses a case where no chlorine was found. Dangers from bacteria can run rampant. How this can happen and how to prevent it is discussed.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PjCfSxm9C1jQNsCiSyNpw

Each week, we analyze real-life aquatic lawsuits and incidents, offering practical takeaways for both aquatic professionals and parents/caregivers.

Episode 84 - Where's the Chlorine? The Drowning Files · Episode