Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention!

On behalf of Operational Risk Committee and in the interest of preventing needless tragedies, here is some important information from the Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention Foundation. You may find their materials helpful in educating your coaches, swimmers and families on this issue.

Dear Friends,

This week, the Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention Foundation issued a formal call to action following the tragic death of Jack Roney, a former Division I swimmer and NC State assistant coach who died while practicing extended underwater breath-holding.

Jack's story exposes a critical gap in aquatics safety training.

Safety information about hypoxic blackout exists.
But it is not consistently reaching the swimmers, coaches, and aquatic professionals who need it.

We are calling on leaders across competitive swimming and aquatics to examine how UHB is taught and to take meaningful steps toward making this education standard practice.

We need your help.

Please put this statement in front of the people in your network who have the authority to create change: aquatic directors, facility operators, swim coaches, athletic directors, risk managers, insurers, YMCA leadership, school and university administrators, governing organizations, and others responsible for swimmer safety. Tap below to view the full statement.

Then ask one question: Is UHB education required at your facility or within your organization?

If the answer is no, please help us change it.

UHBP's online certification provides individuals and facilities with accessible, evidence-based training to recognize and prevent underwater hypoxic blackout. It requires minimal time and financial investment to complete this online training, which will save lives.

Our goal is straightforward: every coach, swimmer, lifeguard, and aquatic professional should understand this risk before another preventable tragedy occurs, in a way that translates directly to the pool deck.

Learn about individual and facility UHB certification:
https://underwaterhypoxicblackout.org/uhb-certification/

You know the leaders in your communities. You know the decision-makers we may never be able to reach on our own.
Please help us get this information into their hands and ask them to act.

Awareness alone is not enough. Education must reach the pool deck.

With deepest gratitude,

Britt Jackson and the UHBP Team
Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention Foundation

P.S. Please consider joining the UHBP Legacy Circle. Your support helps us turn tragedies like Jack’s into action by putting lifesaving education in the hands of swimmers, coaches, and facilities across the country. Click here to join now.