Working Together
To Save Lives

Our Important Mission
Saving Lives

Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego believes that drowning is preventable and it is our mission to engage the community in a continuum of water safety programs and initiatives that provide access to the life-saving skill of swimming.

Since 2009, our purpose has been simple, we do everything we can to prevent drowning by spreading awareness and funding swim lesson programs for targeted individuals who have limited access to gaining the life-saving skill.

With our local school, community, and aquatic partners, we have impacted tens of thousands of young people in San Diego County and made their lives safer and more enjoyable.

How can you help? We invite you to support our vision by donating, volunteering, and helping us spread the word to save lives!

Donate Today

Announcements
Helping Our Community

sd swim safe grant program

SD Swims Grant Program 

Spring 2024 Application Period Is Now Open!

PDFSD is looking for local schools, non-profits and local pools to collaborate in providing swim lessons and water safety programs in areas throughout San Diego County, targeting those individuals who have limited access to gaining the life-saving skill of swimming. Apply now!

Apply Now
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SD Swim Safer

What Is San Diego Swim Safer?

San Diego Swim Safer is a public education campaign dedicated to preventing drowning deaths and injuries in San Diego County. San Diego Swim Safer aims to increase the knowledge of drowning prevention methods and access to swim lessons. 

San Diego Swim Safer is coordinated through a partnership among the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego, the County of San Diego and First 5 San Diego in support of the Live Well San Diego vision for healthy, safe and thriving communities.

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california water safety strategy

California Water Safety Strategy

Working together for a California where everyone is safe in and around the water.  

Working together for a California where everyone is safe in and around the water.

The CA-WSS aims to reduce drowning and aquatic injuries by fostering collaboration amount local communities, government agencies, and organizations. Learn more about this important strategy and what can be done in your local community to make California safer TOGETHER! 

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Drowning Statistics ~ Did You Know…?

Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children under 14.
No child is ever water safe. The goal of swim lessons is to make children SAFER in, on, and around water.
79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability.
Research shows 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability. 
Formal swimming lessons reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%.
Drowning can be prevented through water safety education, swim instruction, and learning how to provide CPR with rescue breaths.

PDFSD
Community Partners

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Impacts For 2022 

Funded over 26 grants with over 8,000 youth participants 
Partnered with 18 local non-profits 
Programs provided at 26 schools in San Diego County
Provided all San Diego Junior Lifeguard Scholarships
Provided 35 water safety instructor course scholarships
Safer PSA campaign with 1,579,212 impressions
Presentented programs in San Diego County as far North as San Marcos, South as San Ysidro, and East to Borrego Springs

In addition, this past year PDFSD ramped up parent and toddler swim workshops, dryland education, bridged safety lessons at the pools to the open water, junior pool guard swim lessons, pool guard recruit swim lessons, and intergenerational swim lessons

PDFSD
Recent News

Navigating Waves of Impact: The SDJGF To PDFSD Foundation Story

In 2008, our community faced tumultuous seas—economic downturn and looming budget cuts threatened the existence of the San Diego Junior Lifeguard program. This is where our story begins, a tale of advocacy, resilience, and the birth of the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Foundation (SDJGF). A Sea of Challenges and a Vision Emerges Faced with the …

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Unveiling a Fresh Chapter: Our New Website for the New Year

As we step into the dawn of a new year, we are thrilled to introduce you to our brand-new digital home. The launch of our revamped website marks not just a technological upgrade, but a commitment to enhancing your experience, fostering engagement, and sharing our journey in a more dynamic way. Aesthetics and Functionality: Where …

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Celebrating Milestones and Community Impact

As we take a moment to reflect on the journey of the past few years, it’s impossible not to be overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support we’ve received from our volunteers, partners, and the amazing community that surrounds us. Every achievement, every milestone, and every life saved has been made possible through the collective …

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