ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — New data from the CDC shows after decades of declines, drownings are on the rise. That's why experts stress learning to swim and stay safe in the water is critical.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?" said Rebecca Kornas, Emergency Physician and Medical Director at AdventHealth Avista. "So if you can get in and just learn some of the basic water safety, learn how to float on your back. Even if you can't swim, some people can float. If you know to get on your back, take a deep breath and people can sit there and be a little bit more safe."
Gina Mancilla, a certified Infant Swim Rescue instructor, teaches kids and babies how to survive in the water.
"The risk of them falling into the water and having an accident if they're not skilled is extremely high. It's the number one cause of accidental death in children under 5," Mancilla said.
That's a risk she knows too well.
“I really wanted [my son] to have fun so I decided to put him in a puddle jumper one evening. He had a blast. Did not cry that whole time that he was in the water," she said. "We had finished swimming, I had taken it off and had gone to the other side of the yard for him to jump on the trampoline. My son jumped out of the trampoline, made his way to the pool and there was surveillance that shows he just jumped in by himself. And because he had swam in that puddle jumper, he tried to go into that vertical position that they swim in, how they have their head up. He went exactly into that position but couldn't stay afloat because children that young cannot tread water. And he battled for his life for 25 seconds."
Because of his Infant Swim Rescue training, Mancilla said her son was able to grab onto a volleyball net in the pool, screaming for help until she jumped in and pulled him out.
"There were six adults around. Drowning is silent. Nobody heard him, nobody saw him and it was as I was walking," Mancilla said. "So when that happened, I decided that I want to be a part of this."
The CDC reports roughly 15% of adults -- that's almost 40 million people -- in the U.S. don't know how to swim. More than half of adults have never taken a swim lesson.
Mancilla said that's concerning.
That's why Raquel Isely is starting her boys, 3-year-old Tadhg and 18-month-old Stetson, early.
"All you want for your kids is to be safe," Isely said.
These lessons are already making a difference for Stetson and Tadhg.
"The lessons honestly made them love the water. Like, even more. And it gave them a respect for the water as well because they learned you can't breathe underwater. And flipping over, they learned to hold their breath," Isely said.
Isely said they still keep a close eye on the boys around the water. But the peace of mind knowing they can keep themselves safe means the world.
"It's definitely worth it. Your child's safety is priceless," Isely said.
It's already been a deadly start to the year with drownings in Colorado.
Last weekend, 25-year-old Daniel Simon drowned at Trout Lake when his canoe tipped over and he couldn't make it back to shore. Simon's death is the eighth water-related death in Colorado this year.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife said if you're going out on the open water, wear a life jacket and try to float on your back if you're not a strong swimmer. And if you're planning on getting in the water, avoid drugs or alcohol that could impair your judgment.
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