Meow Meow Foundation Vies for Speaker Slot at National Convention

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Principals from Meow Mew Foundation have submitted a presentation proposal for the 2021 National Water Safety Conference in San Diego, California, March 29-April 1.

If selected as presenters, Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas will speak to a nationwide audience of aquatics professionals. Titled “Your Eyes Can Change Everything,” the narrative description is as follows:

A 2020 CPSC report shows that fatal and nonfatal childhood submersions are increasing. Health experts cite a lack of supervision—nearly 90 percent of drownings occur with an adult nearby. Fences and alarms are clearly no substitute for eyes on the water which can eliminate 90 percent of this preventable outcome at no cost. A panel of social scientists (TBD) discusses three tiers of this perpetual challenge: epidemiology, accountability and habituation. What patterns of behavior lead to inattention? Why do adults deflect instead of embrace teachable moments? How do we modify behavior to effectuate wholesale change?

Upon completion of this session, Forbes and Matyas expect participants to:

  • Further understand primary sources of inattention, which could include mobile device usage, alcohol consumption, unmitigated trust, etc.

  • Further understand why we resist certain change and accountability, especially concerning those whose own children have suffered (non)fatal submersions.

  • Further understand how to use epidemiological data to overcome behavioral predispositions.

  • Forge and active discussion on how to craft a prompt, top tier mental health hub and peer-to-peer support system for those whose children have suffered (non)fatal submersions.

  • Help develop more resonant, persuasive drowning elimination messaging and programming for habituation, similar to fastening seat belts.

  • Adopt a mindset of elimination instead of mitigation or prevention.

  • Reduce 90 percent of (non)fatal childhood submersions (U.S.) by 2027 and preventable childhood (non)fatal submersions by 2030.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance produces the event under the guiding principle that “United, we can prevent the tragedy of drowning and reduce the incidence of drowning and aquatic injuries in the US and abroad.

More information to come.

Doug ForbesNDPA National Water Safety Conference 2021