Every child grows up learning fire safety: stop, drop, and roll. The ZAC Foundation believes water safety should be just as universal. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause of unintentional death for ages 5–14, yet it’s rarely taught in schools (Read our blog: Why Water Safety Lessons Should Be Required in School).

To change that, we created a school-based and after-school water safety curriculum that can be easily implemented to teach lifesaving skills in a fun, age-appropriate way. Piloted in Orange County, California in 2024, the program brings lessons into classrooms and assemblies. Students learn the ABCDEs of Water Safety—Adults, Barriers, Classes, Drains/Devices, and Everywhere— through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and worksheets they can share with their families.

The Polar Bear Who Couldn’t, Wouldn’t Swim

Written by ZAC Foundation founders Karen and Brian Cohn, The Polar Bear Who Couldn’t, Wouldn’t Swim tells the story of Zeke, a polar bear too afraid to get in the water until his friends teach him about staying safe.

Used in classrooms as part of The ZAC Foundation’s curriculum, the book makes the ABCDEs of Water Safety easy for kids to remember.

Expanding Water Safety Education Nationwide

Our curriculum work is expanding, with schools and after-school programs in New Jersey and Florida scheduled to participate in the 2025–26 school year. More communities are joining soon, helping to make water safety a regular part of children’s education.