Board hears swim-lesson totals and discusses infant-swim-rescue training after local child drowning

At a Big Rapids parks and recreation meeting, board members reviewed the summer pool season and discussed pursuing an infant swim-rescue (ISR) training program after a local drowning reported by a board member.

Board discussion summarized swim-lesson participation by age group and level: the board reported 41 four-year-olds, 26 five-year-olds and 43 six-year-olds in structured lesson offerings. A board member estimated roughly 340–350 total participants across three sessions this year and said class sizes generally ranged from about 20–30 participants in lower levels to fewer participants at advanced levels. The board also reported more than 30 registrations for a baby-swim program with steady attendance.

The conversation turned somber when a board member recounted a drowning of a 1-year-old at a private pool the week before lessons began; that incident prompted renewed interest in offering ISR training locally. Board members said the closest ISR training the presenter had found was a six-week course offered in Ohio and that bringing a qualified trainer to Big Rapids or partnering with Ferris State University would likely be necessary to make the training affordable and available locally.

Board members emphasized that home pools and flotation devices can give caregivers a false sense of security and said a local ISR offering might reduce risk. No formal action to fund or initiate ISR training was taken at the meeting; members directed staff to explore training availability and partnerships.