Suffolk County Launches its First-Ever Drowning Prevention Action Plan

Developed by The ZAC Foundation, Stony Brook Children's Hospital, and Stop Drowning Now, With Input from Over 30 Suffolk County Stakeholders, Vital Initiative to Serve as a Comprehensive Roadmap to Address County's Alarming Rise in Drownings

Stony Brook, NY, August 28, 2025 - In a crucial effort to address the troubling rise in drownings in Suffolk County, especially among young children, Suffolk County today launched its first-ever comprehensive drowning prevention action plan.

Spearheaded by national water safety nonprofit The ZAC Foundation, Stony Brook Children's Hospital, and national water safety nonprofit Stop Drowning Now - with input from more than 30 local stakeholders - the Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan's goal is to reduce the rate of drownings countywide and enhance water safety for residents and visitors alike.

In response to a troubling rise in drownings in Suffolk County, leading experts, advocates and affected families joined together on July 1, 2025, for a crucial drowning prevention roundtable at Stony Brook University Hospital with the goal of launching the first-ever Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan.
Credit: Stony Brook Medicine

Developing and launching a Suffolk County-specific plan is critical as the county saw an alarming 60% increase in drowning from 2023 to 2024. Many of these drownings involved young children and occurred in backyard pools. Statewide, New York ranks fourth nationwide in drownings, recording 84 fatalities in 2024, 24 of which occurred in Suffolk County.

The plan aligns with the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan, ensuring its local efforts are grounded in evidence-based best practices.

The Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan consists of five core objectives:

• Improving data and understanding of drowning risks
• Expanding public education and awareness
• Promoting pool safety among residents
• Strengthening the prevention workforce (i.e., lifeguards)
• Enhancing advocacy and community outreach

Among some actions already being initiated include Stony Brook Medicine conducting a study of incident data to better understand drowning risks, collaborations with local school districts to provide dry land programming and learn-to-swim opportunities for students, beginning with water safety education at The Three Village School camps this summer, Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Alliance and Airbnb collaborating on sharing water safety best practices with hosts and communities, building on Airbnb's national pool safety initiatives, and ongoing efforts of the Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Alliance.

"Drowning prevention requires coordinated community action, which is exactly what this plan delivers," said Karen Cohn, Co-Founder, The ZAC Foundation. "Suffolk County's alarming drowning statistics underscore the urgent need for this comprehensive approach. We are proud to join forces with our partners in Suffolk County to help turn the tide on drowning and save lives."

"This action plan was much needed in Suffolk County, and it's a privilege to contribute our expertise to protect children and families in the community," said Dr. Jacqueline Bober, DO, Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician, Stony Brook Children's Hospital. "We are committed to this initiative and will continue to do everything we can to prevent drownings."

"This plan takes us beyond awareness and into real action. By breaking down silos and joining forces, we can make a greater impact and prevent drownings across our community," said Jamie Ryan, BSN, RN, CPN, an Injury Prevention Professional at Stony Brook Children's Hospital.

"Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of death in children ages 5-14. Also, 54% of adults do not know how to swim. Drowning is 100% preventable if people follow the layers of protection and can get the water safety education they need," said Bobby Hazen, Executive Director, Stop Drowning Now, and Founding Member, NY Water Safety Coalition. "We are proud to be a part of this Suffolk County Water Safety Action Plan team. Through this plan, we will help reduce drowning in Suffolk County."

For more information about the Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan and to view and download the full plan, click here.

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About Stony Brook Children's Hospital:

With 104 beds, Stony Brook Children's Hospital is Suffolk County's only children's hospital. Part of Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Children's has more than 180 pediatric specialists in 30 specialties. The hospital is Suffolk County's only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center and Level 1 Regional Pediatric Trauma Center. It is home to the nation's first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center and also offers a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Center, Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Center, Healthy Weight and Wellness Center, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program, Pediatric Cardiology Program, Pediatric HIV and AIDS Center. To learn more, visit https://www.stonybrookchildrens.org.

About The ZAC Foundation:

The ZAC Foundation was established in 2008 by Karen and Brian Cohn after the loss of their six-year-old son Zachary Archer Cohn in a pool drain entrapment in their backyard swimming pool. Through education and advocacy, the Foundation has helped more than 25,000 children and their families learn about the importance of water safety and prepare for a lifetime of water safety. For more information about The ZAC Foundation, visit https://www.zacfoundation.org or @thezacfoundation

About Stop Drowning Now:

Stop Drowning Now aims to become the leader in water safety education through collaboration, as well as implementing a sustainable funding strategy that allows the organization to make an impact by reducing the number of drownings annually. Our purpose is to provide best practice drowning prevention strategies through education to communities, municipalities and governments. Stop Drowning Now was founded by a group of educators who believe that drowning can be prevented. We believe that education is the key! Awareness, skills, knowledge, and practice can help parents, caregivers, and kids realize the risks they face of being in, on, or near any open water and learning the layers of protection to be SAFER. For more information, visit our website https://www.stopdrowningnow.org