E-203 Pool Nation Podcast -Water Safety and Drowning Prevention with Casey McGovern

A Mother's Worst Nightmare Becomes Her Life's Mission

Water safety isn't just another industry checklist item—it's a matter of life and death. For most pool professionals, the statistics about drowning remain abstract numbers. But for Casey McGovern, founder of Every Child a Swimmer and 2023 Pool Nation Awards Woman Trailblazer of the Year, those statistics became devastatingly personal when she lost her 19-month-old daughter to drowning in their backyard pool.

In a powerful episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Casey courageously shares her story and reveals how one tragic moment transformed her grief into a nationwide mission to prevent drowning through swim education and water safety awareness. Her message serves as a critical wake-up call for pool professionals everywhere about the ripple effects of their work.

The Day That Changed Everything

On August 3rd, what started as a perfect family day by the pool turned into every parent's worst nightmare. Casey recounts the events that led to the unthinkable:

We were a family that spent a lot of time in the water and in our pool and we get in the water. Both my girls, an 11-year-old, a three-year-old and a 19-month-old, the younger ones were floaties and I thought there was nothing wrong with that. I thought they're swimming. I took pictures of them and they're floating in the deep end and I was so ignorant and just realized that they were in the deep end and look how good they're doing and how cute they look and their little floaties that match their swimsuit and thought there was nothing wrong with that.

— Casey McGovern, Pool Nation Podcast

The family had just returned from vacation in Vermont, enjoying their last days of summer. Casey's husband came home unexpectedly from work, throwing off their usual routine slightly. After spending time in the pool, the family got out at staggered times. Casey left for the grocery store, and when she returned, she placed her 19-month-old daughter in a glider on the opposite side of the kitchen counter while putting groceries away.

In that brief moment when Casey stepped away to answer a question from a work visitor speaking with her husband, her daughter disappeared from where she had left her. Despite feeling their house was safe and secure, tragedy struck in an instant.

The Dangerous Illusion of Safety

Casey's story highlights a critical misconception that many families share—the false sense of security that floatation devices provide. Her candid admission about taking photos of her children "swimming" in floaties reveals how easily parents can be lulled into believing their children are water-safe when they're actually at significant risk.

This illusion of safety extends beyond just flotation devices. Many pool owners assume that because they have safety measures in place—whether it's pool covers, fencing, or alarms—they're fully protected. Casey's experience demonstrates that drowning can happen even in homes where parents are present and vigilant.

The reality is that drowning is often silent and swift. It doesn't happen with the dramatic splashing and calling for help that movies portray. Instead, it occurs quickly and quietly, often while caregivers are nearby but momentarily distracted.

From Tragedy to Transformation: Every Child a Swimmer

Rather than allowing grief to consume her, Casey channeled her pain into purpose by founding Every Child a Swimmer. This organization addresses the drowning crisis through a comprehensive approach that recognizes the barriers many families face in accessing swim education.

As Casey explains her mission:

Our program provides learned to swim scholarships to low income families throughout the country. We focus on really providing up to three months of swim lessons so that the progression is really instilled in each scholarship recipient. We're also working to pass legislation throughout the country to have schools share water safety information with the parents and caregivers so that they're aware and educated on the issue and where to go for learned to swim scholarships.

— Casey McGovern, Pool Nation Podcast

The organization's approach is multifaceted, addressing both the immediate need for swim education and the systemic barriers that prevent families from accessing these life-saving skills. By providing scholarships for up to three months of lessons, they ensure children receive comprehensive instruction rather than just basic water exposure.

The Ripple Effect on Pool Professionals

Casey's story carries profound implications for everyone in the pool industry. Pool professionals are often the first line of defense in water safety, yet many may not fully grasp the weight of their responsibility. As host Edgar DeJazuz noted during the podcast:

Sometimes we forget about safety and the impact that we have because it's a lot of times as pull professionals or just as even as human beings, we sometimes think that things never happen to us or we don't really look at some of the ripple effect or the impact of a small thing that you might do today or that you neglected to look at because you were busy because you think, oh, what are the odds or what are the chances of something happening.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast

This perspective shift is crucial. Every pool installation, every maintenance visit, every safety recommendation carries the potential to save lives. Pool professionals aren't just installing recreational amenities—they're creating environments that require serious safety considerations.

The "small things" Edgar mentions could include ensuring proper gate latches, recommending appropriate pool alarms, educating customers about the limitations of flotation devices, or simply having conversations about water safety with pool owners who have young children.

Legislative Action and Industry Responsibility

Beyond individual education efforts, Casey's organization is working to create systemic change through legislation requiring schools to share water safety information with parents. This approach recognizes that water safety education needs to be as fundamental as other safety topics we routinely address with children.

For pool professionals, this legislative push presents an opportunity to position themselves as water safety advocates within their communities. By staying informed about water safety legislation and actively supporting these efforts, pool pros can contribute to broader prevention efforts while establishing themselves as safety-conscious businesses.

Our jobs are really important and some of the things we do can carry a great impact, not only on yourself but on the lives of the people that you service or anybody that comes in contact with that pool.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast

Moving Forward: Practical Water Safety Integration

Casey's story and mission offer clear direction for pool professionals looking to integrate water safety more meaningfully into their business practices. This isn't about adding complicated procedures—it's about recognizing opportunities to save lives through informed action and education.

The pool industry has the power to significantly impact drowning prevention, but only if professionals embrace their role as safety advocates alongside their technical expertise. Casey's transformation from grieving mother to national advocate demonstrates that even the most profound tragedies can become catalysts for preventing future losses.

As Casey prepares to pass on her Pool Nation Awards Woman Trailblazer title, her legacy in the industry is clear: she's shown that pool professionals have a responsibility that extends far beyond water chemistry and equipment maintenance. They have the opportunity—and obligation—to be guardians of water safety in their communities.

Every Child a Swimmer continues to expand its reach, providing scholarships and pushing for legislative change across the country. For pool professionals inspired by Casey's mission, supporting water safety education and staying informed about drowning prevention resources represents a meaningful way to honor her daughter's memory while protecting other families from experiencing similar tragedies.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 05:30 Casey McGovern Introduction and Every Child a Swimmer
• 12:45 The Tragic Story - What Happened
• 22:15 The Illusion of Safety with Floatation Devices
• 28:30 Every Child a Swimmer Mission and Programs
• 35:20 Legislative Efforts and Systemic Change
• 42:10 Impact on Pool Professionals and Industry Responsibility