Henrico's Splash Smart water safety event offered CPR, drowning prevention education

Drownings happen fast — and Henrico wants its residents to be ready. Dozens gathered Saturday for the free Splash Smart Henrico! water safety event, learning CPR, life jacket safety, and how to set ground rules that could save a life at the pool or on the water.

Henrico Fire Chief Douglas Clevert said the event at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center and nearby Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center was driven by a desire to get ahead of summer drowning incidents.

"Henrico wanted to take a step forward to put this event together to educate our community, not only just about water safety but CPR, because when you do pull someone out of the water and they are unconscious, we want to start the 911 chain of survival," Clevert said.

Clevert said the event also focused on practical safety rules for families heading to pools, lakes and rivers.

"We want parents to understand, hey, when you go to the pool, or you go to the river, set some rules," Clevert said. "We're not going to run; we're going to stay off our phones. We're not going to involve alcohol... Be vigilant around the water with your families."

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