As families head to pools, lakes and beaches this summer, the YMCA of the Sandhills is reminding parents and caregivers that one simple action could save a life: put the phone down. The YMCA is participating in the national "Phones Down, Eyes Up" campaign, an initiative designed to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted supervision around water and encourage adults to stay focused on the children in their care.

According to Jeff Darling, President and CEO of the YMCA of the Sandhills, the campaign addresses a growing challenge in today's technology-driven world. 

"In a time when cell phones and tablets dominate our attention, this campaign is intended to generate awareness around water safety," Darling said. "It only takes a split second for a child to be in distress in the water, which prompts us as parents and grandparents to set aside our distractions so we can keep our attention on our loved ones."

The message comes at an important time. National statistics show that 88 percent of drownings occur when at least one adult is present. Darling believes many adults do not realize how much time they spend distracted by their devices. 

"I do not think people are aware of how long they are being distracted by their devices," he said. "I do not believe any adult thinks they are putting children at risk, but the statistics say otherwise."

The YMCA's dedication to water safety comes from a recognition that many drowning incidents are preventable with proper supervision and awareness. Darling noted that North Carolina has experienced more than 135 drowning deaths in recent years. 

"We, as a YMCA, want to be a catalyst in raising awareness around water safety," Darling said. "We do not want to become aware of any water emergencies in the communities we serve, so we wholeheartedly participate in this campaign."

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding drowning is that it is loud and easy to recognize. In reality, drowning is often silent. 

"Many times, there is no yelling or frantic splashing," Darling explained. "A child simply gets exhausted and goes under and cannot come back up. It can happen very quickly and very quietly."

To help prevent tragedies, the campaign encourages families to designate a Water Watcher whenever children are near water. Similar to a designated driver, the Water Watcher's sole responsibility is supervising children without distractions. 

"A Water Watcher is someone who agrees and is appointed to watch the kids playing in the water," Darling said. "That is their only task, and they are to do it until they are relieved by someone else."

For families spending long days at pools, lakes or beaches, Darling recommends rotating Water Watcher duties among adults. 

"It can be as simple as creating a schedule where adults rotate through as Water Watchers," he said. "For this to be successful, the watcher cannot have any distractions or other responsibilities."

While swim lessons remain an important part of water safety, Darling cautions that swimming ability does not eliminate risk. 

"Swim lessons definitely help with safety around water," he said. "But there still needs to be supervision around water. We cannot assume that because our child is a good swimmer, they are in no danger."

The campaign also reflects the YMCA's broader mission of promoting healthy and safe communities. 

"The reality is, we want to raise awareness around child safety in general," Darling said. "We hope parents, grandparents and anyone supervising children will accept the challenge of putting devices down when they are responsible for children's safety."

Ultimately, Darling hopes families remember that drowning incidents are often unexpected and happen faster than many people realize. 

"Take the challenge to ensure that your child does not become one of these statistics," he said. 

Families interested in taking the "Phones Down, Eyes Up" pledge and learning more about water safety can visit the YMCA of the Sandhills website at https://ymcaofthesandhills.org/ for resources, tips and educational materials. For more information, visit the water safety page.