MMF Scores Presentation at National Conference

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance has selected Meow Meow Foundation to speak at its annual National Water Safety Conference in March of 2021.

Principals Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas will deliver an hour-long presentation titled Your Eyes Could Change Everything, which addresses adult accountability in an age when childhood drowning is, once again, rapidly and significantly on the rise.

“We are honored to have a voice at this pivotal event,” Forbes said. “More importantly, we believe that 90 percent of preventable childhood drowning incidents can be rapidly eliminated with a few vital adjustments in adult behavior—that’s what we will discuss.”

A number of social scientists will join Forbes and Matyas to address distraction, deflection and habituation. Currently, nearly 90 percent of fatal and nonfatal submersions occur with an adult nearby. However, Forbes and Matyas have discovered that nearly the same percentage of incidents involve adults who, in some manner, obfuscate their own accountability.

Matyas said, “Let’s face it, no parent or caregiver wants to acknowledge any role in the death of a child,, let alone the lifelong emotional toll associated with the experience itself.” She said that, while blame is not productive, embracing teachable moments with honesty and candor is a gateway to change, otherwise, the same hazardous patterns persist.

Conference sponsors and participants include the Michael Phelps Foundation, USA Swimming Foundation, Stop Drowning Now and the International Code Council. The 4-day event features more than 60 plus educational sessions and an exhibition hall for water safety suppliers and advocates.

Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NDPA requires speakers such as Forbes and Matyas to afford both an in-person presentation and a pre-recorded version in advance. These presentations will be available for linking or download.

More information can be found at the Conference website.