Parents and grandparents who complete a two-hour Citizen CPR course get a bonus of a voucher for free or very low-cost swimming lessons for children ages 1 to 5.
A donor, who wanted to remain anonymous, gave a $10,000 gift for pre-schooler swimming lessons, said Laurel Connell, a program coordinator for Citizen CPR Inc. of Polk.
The swimming program started last year, but few adults took advantage of the free CPR course so this year the free swim lessons offer is coupled with an adult (parent, grandparent or guardian) first completing a course on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, said Melissa Kruse, marketing director for Citizen CPR.
Drowning is the leading cause of injury death among 1- to 4-year-olds in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. In 2013, the drowning rate was 7.54 for every 100,000 children ages 1-4, adding up to enough children to fill three to four preschool classrooms.
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