ADVANCING WATER SAFETY THROUGH EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND TRAINING

U.S. Water Safety is a drowning prevention organization dedicated to increasing personal flotation device (PFD) wear rates, expanding access to life-saving equipment, and reducing drowning fatalities through evidence-based education, strategic partnerships, and community engagement.

Our Mission

To reduce drowning and boating-related fatalities by making water safety education, resources, and life-saving equipment accessible to every community.

Why It Matters

Creating a lasting public health impact requires a coordinated approach that combines:

• Education

• Engineering

• Enforcement

U.S. Water Safety works to make water safety accessible to everyone through sustainable, community-based solutions.

Why Work With US Water Safety?

Our approach combines public health, education, recreation, and boating safety into practical solutions that make a measurable difference. We believe that the greatest impact comes when organizations work together with consistent messaging, proven strategies, and shared goals.

Whether you're launching a new program, expanding an existing initiative, seeking grant support, or looking for expert guidance, U.S. Water Safety is ready to help.

What We Can Do For You

Whether you're a state agency, nonprofit, park, marina, school, community organization, manufacturer, or public health partner, U.S. Water Safety helps you build effective drowning prevention and life jacket programs that save lives.

We combine education, outreach, strategic planning, and industry expertise to help you turn ideas into measurable results

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Curriculum Design, Courses,

Instructor Training, & Speaking

We develop engaging, evidence-based education programs for all audiences - from young children and families, to boating professionals, park staff, educators, swim instructors, and first responders.

Our services include:

Water safety curriculum development
Personal Floatation Device/ Life jacket education
Train-the-trainer programs for lay-people and professionals, anyone can teach someone to be safe in, on, and around the water
Professional development workshops
Conference presentations and keynote speaking
Public education campaigns

CONSULTING

Strategy, Planning, & Technical Assistance

Every community faces unique challenges. We work alongside your team to identify opportunities, overcome barriers, and develop customized solutions that fit your goals, budget, and audience.

Services include:

Strategic planning
Public health approaches to drowning prevention
Water safety messaging
Stakeholder engagement
Organizational collaboration
Technical assistance

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Life Jacket Loaner Boards, Campaigns,

& Community Initiatives

Need to launch a new initiative or strengthen an existing one?

We help organizations design practical, sustainable water safety programs that create lasting community impact.

We can assist with:

Community water safety initiatives
Drowning prevention strategies
Life jacket loaner board programs
Program evaluation and improvement
Best practice implementation
Partnership development

GRANT SUPPORT

Funding Strategy, Project Implementation, & National Collaboration

From concept to completion, we help organizations secure and successfully implement grant-funded projects.

Our support includes:

Grant strategy
Program design
Budget development
Project management
Deliverable creation
Outcome reporting

Who We Serve

U.S. Water Safety collaborates with:

• State agencies

• Local governments

• Tribal organizations

• Schools

• Nonprofit organizations

• Public health organizations

• Search and rescue organizations

• Community groups

• Industry partners

Outreach & Communications

Clear, consistent messaging saves lives. We help organizations communicate effectively with the communities they serve.

Services include:

Public awareness campaigns
Educational materials
Social media content
Marketing strategy
Press releases
Community engagement

Industry Partnerships

We work with manufacturers, retailers, nonprofits, government agencies, and national organizations to expand access to life jackets and improve water safety across the country.

Together, we can:

Increase life jacket wear rates
Improve public education
Expand loaner board programs
Build stronger partnerships
Support national water safety initiatives

The Defender

"The Defender" LifeJacket features 2 shoulder strap adjustment points for a custom fit, all one piece of fabric, a buckle on the bottom at the waist for snug fit without riding up, zipper keeper and no buckles on front making self rescue easier. It also includes ore flotation on the front to encourage a face-up position.

"The Defender” is a collaboration between U.S. Water Safety and FirstWatch. A personal flotation device built for performance at a life jacket loaner board price.

Programs & Initiatives

Life Jacket Loaner Board Programs

Supporting communities with planning, implementation, and long-term sustainability of life jacket loaner board programs.

Drowning Prevention Campaigns

Collaborative campaigns focused on increasing PFD wear rates and reducing preventable drownings.

Community Partnerships

Building partnerships among agencies, nonprofits, schools,

and businesses to advance

water safety initiatives.

LET'S BUILD SAFER COMMUNITIES - TOGETHER.

About

Kelli Toth

Kelli Toth is the founder of U.S. Water Safety. She's a water safety and drowning prevention specialist with extensive experience in public education, outreach, instructor development, and community-based drowning prevention initiatives.

She collaborates with partners nationwide to increase personal flotation device (PFD) wear rates, expand access to life-saving equipment, and advance evidence-based strategies that reduce drowning fatalities.