Water Safety Warriors: Mission 2024

Fighting to end childhood drowning by bringing water safety education to families coast-to-coast

Childhood drowning rates in America continue to climb.

Something HAS to change.

This summer, the Waiting Whales are taking matters into their own fins.

The Whales have donned their capes, raised their shields, and become the Water Safety Warriors!

From June 22 through September 30, we are heading on a coast-to-coast road trip to share crucial water safety resources with as many families as possible.

Swimming lessons, fences, and flotation device fear-mongering aren’t solving the problem.

We need a proactive plan to combat statistics like these:

Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children 0–5

Drowning is the #2 cause of accidental death for children 5-14

Children with autism are 160x more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers

A startling 88% of drownings happen when an adult is present

The Water Safety Warriors know teaching families to watch, wait, and swim can make all the difference.

Whether you have a pool on your property or simply a bathtub, you deserve the words and tools to make water safety a part of everyday life.

Dayna Harvey, founder of Water Safety With Miss Dayna, has been a certified swim and water safety instructor for over 35 years. Through her experience teaching both neurotypical and neurodivergent children, she has developed an accessible, comprehensive approach to water safety designed to empower families.

Making your family’s three-part Water Safety Action Plan costs nothing and could save you everything.

Parents will WATCH

Learn the elements of active watching, how to install proper water barriers, and how CPR certification and putting your cell phone down can make all the difference.

Kids will WAIT

Teach children never to enter the water alone and discover practical tips and tools for assigning safe waiting areas near common water environments.

Families will SWIM

Find out what to look for when selecting a swim instruction program, learn how to use personal flotation devices properly, and commit to always swimming together.

Just like a Fire Evacuation Plan, a Water Safety Action Plan is the proactive way to prepare your family for safety around water—from the bathtub to the beach and everywhere in between!

The CDC reported drownings of children under 4 increased 28% from 2019 to 2022—and the rates continue to climb.

This summer, we’re on a mission to empower families nationwide with Water Safety resources.

101 days. 10,000 miles. 30 states. 1,500 preschools and childcare centers.

Together, we can turn the tide on childhood drowning in America.

Big waves begin with a single droplet. This summer, join the movement by making your family’s Water Safety Action Plan and telling friends about these vital water safety strategies.

Sign up to get:

  • Water Safety Action Plan Worksheet to create a proactive plan for your family.

  • Educational emails to learn simple, actionable water safety strategies.

  • Water Safety Warriors coloring and activity sheets to get kids in on the fun.

Thanks to Our Mission 2024 Sponsors!

Watch Level

Sponsored 5 or more schools

Josh Pinkerman

Joy Bowery

Renee Schofield

Burgess Family

Wait Level

Sponsored 2-4 schools

Performance Title

Henderson Family

Massey Family

Olin Family

Hinton Family

Adkins Family

Hardeman Family

Hoback Family

Sabato Family

Safety Sister

Altice Family

Robbins Family

Dudding Family
In loving memory of Cooper Marable

Aliveto Family

Graham Family

Turner Family

Hubert Family

Kokkinaki/Molina Family

SuperPower Radio Show
In memory of all the children with autism who have lost their lives to drowning

Woolson Family

Patrick Family

Gauldin Family

Keith Family

Swim Level

Sponsored a school

Bowes Family

Lott Family

Morgan Richter

Fiihr Family

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Lipps Family

Zahorchuk Family

Jamison Family

Awful Arthurs Salem 

Lynn Switanowski

Lucia Family

Biggio Family
In loving memory of Tate Holtzman

Eakin Family 

Teresa Bryant

Fink Family

Hansen Family

Feydo Family

Sparks Family

Queen Family

Lawhorn Family

Turman Family

Turman Digital

Pentecost Family

Webber Family

Mongan Family 

Rosenberg Family

Jones Family

Grazioli Family

Thiel Family

Keffer Family

Kreklow Family

Parker Family

Matthews Family

Lipps Family

Dooley Family

Shannon Cavendish

Do you want to help us end childhood drowning?

By sponsoring our Summer 2024 Mission, you can help us share these lifesaving strategies with childcare centers, preschools, and special learning schools across the country. Each school we visit receives free posters, parent education materials, and printable kids’ activities.

Click the button below to become a sponsor or email dayna@watersafetywithmissdayna.com to learn more about bringing the Water Safety Warriors to your community.

You have the power to keep your kids safe around water.

Disclaimer: While we are excited to share the excellent outcomes we have seen using the Waiting Whales Water Safety Kit and/or creating a Water Safety With Miss Dayna Water Safety Action Plan, we do not guarantee any particular results. It is a parent-child education program, and parental supervision is required.