Suffolk County rolls out new approach to preventing drownings

By Peter Sloniewsky

On Aug. 28, Suffolk County launched its first-ever Drowning Prevention Action Plan. This plan, developed in conjunction with water safety nonprofits The ZAC Foundation and Stop Drowning Now, along with Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, has the mission of reducing the rate of drownings countywide. 

This new plan, which aims to promote safety through advocacy, comes following a 60% increase in drownings from 2023 to 2024. Of the 84 fatalities caused by drowning in 2024 across New York State, 24 occurred in Suffolk County — many involving young children and backyard pools. 

Jamie Ryan, an injury prevention professional at Stony Brook Children’s, described this increase as natural considering changes in home development and vacationing over the last few years across the county. 

“Since COVID, backyard pool installations have increased, and more visitors are coming from the city and beyond, especially to the East End,” Ryan said. “Some of those families may not be as familiar with residential pool or beach risks.” 

The plan itself coordinates hospitals, schools, EMS and community organizations to improve data, expand public education, promote pool safety, strengthen the prevention workforce (i.e., lifeguards) and enhance community outreach. Ryan clarified the value in such an alliance as it builds on previous work done nationally. 

“Drowning prevention initiatives have been ongoing throughout our Suffolk County community… it builds on the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan but is tailored specifically to Suffolk County,” said Ryan. “By coming together and combining our expertise, we are stronger than ever, and together we expect to see a measurable reduction in drownings.” 

As a component of the program, Stony Brook University Hospital will act as a hub for research, outreach and medical work. Ryan also highlighted the role that the hospital will play in preventing drowning risk going forward. 

“We’ve submitted an IRB [application] for a 10-year drowning study, and we are trialing new data collection processes,” Ryan said. “We’re also integrating drowning prevention messaging into pediatric office visits and using our social media to push out prevention messaging and PSAs.” 

“We serve as a community liaison, helping bring water safety programs into schools with partners like Stop Drowning Now and ReesSpecht Life, and we’ve added water safety programming into all of our large-scale community outreach events,” Ryan continued. “Our hope is to engrain water safety practices and awareness into our community year round, not only when they are at the pool or on a beach.” 

The group hopes to measure success in a multifaceted manner, not just through less drownings but through the measure of additional metrics. Ryan also forecasted extensive collaboration across the sectors of the new alliance through regular meetings and shared messaging. 

“The Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Alliance brings all these partners together under one shared vision… Creating this dynamic through our alliance has already facilitated meaningful program implementation,” Ryan said. “Success means fewer drownings, but also stronger data systems, more kids learning water safety in schools, safer pool practices, stronger lifeguard workforce and consistent public messaging.” 

Looking forward, the program hopes to emphasize a complex and nuanced understanding of drowning prevention and education. 

“Drowning is preventable, but no one thing can stop drowning,” Ryan said. “A layered approach of multiple prevention measures in place is what is proven to work… Together, we expect to see a measurable reduction in drownings.”

For more information visit news.stonybrook.edu.