Mary Ann Downing, Pool Safety Mom

As the Annual National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) 2015 Educational Conference kicks off tomorrow; I would like to give a shout-out to the “Pool Safety Mom” Mary Ann Downing. Mary has worked tirelessly in her efforts to educate and promote water safety. Her energy, drive, and positive impact has surely contributed in many lives being saved.

Drowning Prevention is Everyone’s Business!

“Pool Safety Mom”… Mary Ann Downing became focused on drowning prevention in the late ‘70s (or maybe earlier if you count her first “Junior Lifesaving” class …!) She has a teaching degree in Health & Physical Education with an emphasis in Aquatics from Indiana University of PA. (IUP) She was a YMCA Aquatic Director, worked in the fitness industry, then went into the life and health insurance field.

Fast forward 25 years from college…and backyard swimming pool drowning is still an epidemic targeting small children under the age of 5. Mary became passionate about swimming pool safety when, as the mother of 2 young daughters, she bought a house with a pool. Her quest to keep her own children safe in the backyard brought an opportunity to tell other pool owning families about products and strategies to prevent drowning. She started her business: Pool Safety Solutions, Inc, and her mission is to “provide parents and pool owners with information, products and solutions to keep kids safe around backyard swimming pools”. She acts as a manufacturer’s representative for industry leaders in pool products including Katchakid.

Since 2003 Mary has met with more than 1000 pool owners in their own backyards, helping create a safe (and beautiful) area using all of the available pool safety barriers. Her conversations always include the “ABCs of Drowning Prevention” and the Water Watcher Program. Mary has a passion for spreading the message to those with the power and influence to prevent drownings. She has been asked to speak to Women’s groups, Mom’s Clubs, to hospital based classes, Lifeguards, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, schools, and pool professionals. Her “Pool Safety Mom” presentations offer suggestions to empower pool owners to do what they can to control and promote a safe swimming environment in their own backyards . Ask for a “pool safety makeover” to keep kids safe! Mary has been a presenter at the Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show and the National Drowning Prevention Symposium. She volunteers for the American Red Cross as a CPR instructor.

Ms. Downing currently lives in San Diego, CA with her two daughters. She is a board member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, a Member of the Drowning Prevention Foundation. She belongs to the Association for Pool and Spa Professionals, is a supporter of the San Diego Chapter of IPSSA and serves on the Board of Directors for The Rancho Santa Fe Business & Professional Women. She is a Guardian Life Insurance representative, and now a member of the SWIM (South West Independent Marketing) TEAM.