Broadcast Monitoring Report - Monday, June 21, 2004

MEDIALINK - Your Video News Source

SUBJECT: STAYING SAFE AND FIT DURING SWIM SEASON

Drowning is the Number One Cause of Death For Children Under 15

A New Device Safely Teaches Kids How To Swim While Providing Fitness Fun

ATTN: News Producers/Assignment Editors/Satellite News Coordinators

KEYWORDS: Summer Swimming Safety Beach Pool Children

The following is a satellite newsfeed advisory:

STORY SUMMARY:

Memorial Day weekend is upon us marking the start of summer fun. For many, that includes heading to the pools and beaches for a swim to cool down and shape up. Teaching your child and yourself how to swim and strengthening those skills can be one of the most important things you can do this summer.

According to The National Safety Council, drowning is the number one cause of death for children under 15. American Red Cross statistics show that nearly 1,000 children ages 14 and under drown every year in the United States. More than half of these deaths are children ages four and under. Most of these drownings occur in swimming pools and are, in most cases, preventable. Swimming can be great fun for kids, but it's imperative to teach them the proper skills for safety.

Doctors agree swimming is one of the best forms of exercise and physical therapy not only for children but people of any age or fitness level.

Nine-time Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Spitz uses a new device called the ProSwimmer 3-in-1 Stationary Swimmer that was developed for fitness, therapy and teaching swimming. It acts as a swimming treadmill, holding the swimmer in place so he can swim in any size or shape pool, without having to stop and turn around. The swimming aide features a soft flotation belt which is attached to a floating spreader which is then anchored to any permanent pool fixture. It provides the buoyancy needed to swim in place as the student learns and practices stokes and breathing techniques.. This also provides an excellent workout routine for anyone trying to get fit and lose weight. For physical therapy it can provide buoyancy and stability for aquatic exercise and range-of-motion exercises. It allows a patient recovering from an illness or injury to engage in an exercise regimen that is gentle on bones and joints. It is also appropriate for senior fitness, and for the medically obese as a low-impact form of exercise.

FOR STORY INFORMATION, CONTACT: Diane Huth, 210-601-7852 or dianehuth@aol.com

FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION, CONTACT: Medialink, 212-682-8300 / 800-843-0677

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