New YMCA partnership brings water‑safety training to 12 local schools

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Family YMCA of Greater Augusta and Doctors Hospital are expanding a school-based water-safety program to reach roughly 1,000 Richmond County students this fall.The YMCA and Doctors Hospital will showcase the partnership during an event at 11 a.m. Monday at the Wilson Family YMCA, 3570 Wheeler Road.Through the YMCA’s Safety Around Water (SAW) program, students from 12 participating schools will travel to the Y to learn basic skills that can reduce the risk of drowning and build confidence in and around water. Organizers expect about two-thirds to three-quarters of eligible students to take part.The SAW curriculum focuses on simple, practical skills, including:Putting the face in the waterTreading waterBack floatingSwimming at least 10 feetUsing “reach, throw, don’t go” to safely help someone in the water“Water safety is a life skill, and every child deserves the opportunity to build confidence and learn what to do in and around water,” said Catie McCauley,