Published Research in a Prominent Safety Journal States Most Toddlers Can Learn To Float!
A toddler and research participant learns to float in the process of taking self-rescue lessons at the CAST Facility in Forest Park, IL.
The CAST Team is proud to share that the research study conducted by Dr. David Schwebel, who headed the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Youth Safety Lab, has been published in “Injury Prevention”.
Access research study HERE.
CAST friend and ambassador, Nicole Hughes, introduced Dr. Schwebel, a Woodrow Wilson Scholar and Fulbright Award winner, to CAST. Dr. Schwebel and Nicole first met at a National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) research summit in 2022.
The Hughes family lost their son Levi to drowning during non-swim time in 2018. Since that time, Nicole has honored Levi by helping countless others. Nicole has had a tremendously impactful role in the drowning prevention, pediatric, and medical communities, working closely with national leaders. Like so many families, the Hughes family wondered how they did not know about the frequency of non-swim time drownings, or the effectiveness of self-rescue lessons as an added layer of water safety protection.
A toddler and research participant learns to float in the process of taking self-rescue lessons at the YMCA of Northern Colorado.
Nicole, along with a growing number of parent advocates, discussed water competency and survival swim lessons with leaders in the drowning prevention and pediatric communities. Leaders emphasized that meaningful, published research is essential to achieve long-term change in how pediatricians, parents, and policymakers understand and address early childhood drowning risks.
Awareness and education alone have not been enough to drive systemic change; data and research are vital.
Through a series of private awareness events, Nicole courageously inspired CAST supporters with her son Levi’s story, allowing CAST to fund and facilitate the study with Dr. Schwebel and UAB.
Nicole Hughes shares Levi’s story and inspires CAST supporters about the potential of self-rescue swimming skills to save lives.
The CAST Water Safety Foundation and our partners in the drowning prevention field are strong supporters of a multifaceted prevention effort, including adult supervision and fencing around water, among other measures.
Our goal with this study is to inform research, practice, and policy, and enhance awareness about teaching young children to self-rescue as an additional effective strategy for safeguarding children in and around water.
The 12 to 23-month-old toddlers who participated in this study consistently demonstrated the ability to independently find air and maintain an effective floating posture, even after being placed in the water face down and fully clothed.
Please join us in a grassroots campaign to share this impactful news with your networks, including families with children and the medical and drowning prevention communities. Sharable posts are now available on CAST’s social media!
Thank you to Dr. Schwebel and Anna Johnston of UAB’s Youth Safety Lab, Injury Prevention, The Hughes Family, and countless other families who have courageously worked to save lives. Thank you also to our swim families, instructor partner team, donors, gracious hosts, and supporters. This was a tremendous team effort. The abundance of guidance, support, and positive energy have made this process not only possible, but so meaningful.
We are truly grateful for the CAST Family and the opportunity to make an impact with you.
Researchers David Schwebel and Anna Johnston kick off the study with baseline testing at the CAST Facility in September of 2024.
Injury Prevention Website
UAB Youth Safety Lab Website
Nicole’s Reflections on Survival Swimming
Contact Liz Huber: liz@castwatersafety.org
Contact Charlie Huebner: charlie@castwatersafety.org
Contact David Schwebel: david-schwebel@uiowa.edu
Contact Nicole Hughes: nicolehughes8@gmail.com
Support CAST’s Scholarship Fund
We are grateful to the Hughes family for courageously advocating for awareness, access, research and hope. A beautiful way to honor Levi.