Drowning is one of the largest exposures for all organizations that provide aquatic programming and offer aquatic facilities to their patrons, especially those organizations serving large youth populations. Children are the victims in nearly half (1,500) of all drownings in the US each year according to the Centers for Disease Control. Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years with nearly half of those children drowning in guarded pools. In addition to drownings, five times as many children are victims of near-drowning incidents.

Safe-Wise Consulting has developed the Ready Guard program to assist organizations in managing the risks associated with the operation of aquatic programs and facilities. This comprehensive drowning prevention program builds strategies that protect children, staff and the organization. Drowning prevention has no single prevention technique. Ready Guard emphasizes the strategies that must be embraced starting with the leadership and continues throughout the organization in order to reduce the opportunities for drownings. These strategies are based on nationally recognized guidelines, principles and values.

In addition to the basic Ready Guard program, Safe-Wise has introduced a number of Safe-Pool Networks where peer review groups are developed to create sustainable monitoring systems for aquatic programs in a defined geographic area. These networks encourage the highest level of organizational commitment, aquatic safety, vigilance and also provide recognition for exceptional efforts.