Big Easy Swim Easy: Swimming and Water Safety

Big Easy Swim Easy: Swimming and Water Safety Campaign

The NOHD Injury Prevention team works to prevent drowning — one of the leading causes of injury death for children in New Orleans — through free and low-cost swim lessons, pool safety inspections, and water safety education.

Big Easy Swim Easy Campaign

Through our Big Easy Swim Easy campaign, we encourage children and teens across New Orleans to build water safety skills and grow more confident and safe in and around the water.

FIND SUMMER SWIM LESSONS:

These local partners offer swim lessons for New Orleans children, teens, and adults:

The YMCA of Greater New Orleans Lessons for all ages and skill levels at multiple locations across the Greater New Orleans area, covering water safety, survival skills, and character development. Lifeguard certification and financial scholarships available.

The Jewish Community Center (JCC) provides American Red Cross certified swim instruction, from infant "Bubble Babies" classes to adult and Masters Swimming, at both the Uptown and Metairie locations. Lessons are open to members and non-members alike.

Love Swimming Swim School Year-round, indoor lessons in Uptown New Orleans for ages 6 months through adult, with small class sizes and heated pools.

Brown Girls Swim Founded by former competitive swimmer Amani Khabeer, offering affordable private and group lessons for ages 3 through adult at pools across the city. Focused on closing the swimming participation gap in the African American community; welcomes swimmers of all genders.

NORD Commission, NORDC offers American Red Cross Progressive swim lessons at pools and recreation centers citywide, many at no cost. Programs for all ages, plus lifeguard certification, junior lifeguard training, water aerobics, and swim team.

18th Ward A New Orleans youth development nonprofit offering swim lessons for beginners through advanced/adult swimmers at pools throughout the city, on a sliding-scale payment basis. Registration is available on a sliding-scale payment basis.

Drowning Prevention: Five Layers of Protection

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) recommend layering these five protections:

Pool and spa barriers and alarms
Supervision
Water competency — water education and swimming lessons
Life jackets
Emergency preparation

Pool inspections

As part of its swimming safety and drowning prevention initiative, the New Orleans Health Department, in coordination with the Office of Code Enforcement, is offering free swimming pool inspections to help keep pools safe and properly maintained. The purpose of this effort is drowning prevention, not punishment.

A well-maintained pool is not only a source of enjoyment, but also an important investment. These inspections are designed to identify potential safety concerns, such as improperly latched gates and other conditions that could put children and community members at risk.

Request an Inspection

Educational Materials

Explore our educational materials for more tips and tricks for staying safe in and around the water!

Swimming Safety Flyer

Swimming Safety Rack Card

Water Safety Education Flyer

Water safety education presentations

We offer free water safety education presentations for schools, summer camps and community organizations. Presentations are tailored by age group and designed to teach essential safety tips and life-saving skills.

To schedule a water safety presentation for your group or organization, email us at BigEasySwimEasy@nola.gov with your preferred date, group size and location.

Request a Presentation