2013 Lifesaver of the Year Facebook Contest

There’s more time to nominate your hero for the Lifesaver of the Year Facebook contest!  We are pleased to announce we are extending the deadline for submissions until Nov. 21, 2012 at midnight.

Nominations may be submitted on the NDPA Facebook page by clicking the “Lifesaver” contest tab to complete the nomination form. A photo of the nominee may be uploaded, and a brief description of the nominee should demonstrate how he or she has impacted someone’s life or the lives of others in a water-related capacity.

Facebook fans will vote among the top 10 finalists in December 2012. Facebook fans may vote up to once per day or every 24-hour period. The submission with the most votes will be crowned the “2013 Lifesaver of the Year” and invited to the 12th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from March 13-15, 2013. Hotel, airfare and conference fees are covered in the prize package.

2013 Lifesaver of the Year Facebook Contest

It’s that time of year again… time to start nominating your  Lifesaver of the Year! On October 3, 2012, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and USA Swimming Foundation launched a national competition in search for the 2013 Lifesaver of the Year.

Do you know a hero that has impacted your life or the lives of others in a water related incident? The competition rules are simple. Nominations may be submitted on the NDPA Facebook page by clicking the “Lifesaver” contest tab to complete the nomination form. A photo of the nominee may be uploaded, and a brief description of the nominee should demonstrate how he or she has impacted someone’s life or the lives of others in a water-related capacity.

The submission period begins October 3, 2012, and Facebook fans will vote among the top 10 finalists in December 2012. Facebook fans may vote up to once per day or every 24-hour period. The submission with the most votes will be crowned the “2013 Lifesaver of the Year” and invited to the 12th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from March 13-15, 2013. Hotel, airfare and conference fees are covered in the prize package.

1. Eligibility: For this contest, any legal U.S. resident above the age of 18 is eligible to nominate any person who serves as a lifeguard or has participated in some life-saving water activity. Employees of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and USA Swimming Foundation (“Sponsors”), their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, franchisees, divisions, advertising, promotional, fulfillment and marketing agencies (collectively, together with Sponsors, the “Contest Entities”), their immediate families (parent, child, sibling or spouse) and persons living in the same households as such individuals (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Contest.

Ten (10) finalists will be selected by a governing committee chosen by the Sponsors based on criteria set by Sponsors board of directors. One (1) grand-prize winner will be selected from the pool of finalists based on the number of votes from the Facebook community. The winner of the Competition will receive a trip to the 12th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, FL from March 13-15, 2013. Hotel, airfare and conference fees will be covered for the winner of the Competition.

2. How to Enter: Go to http://www.facebook.com/NationalDrowningPreventionAlliance, and click on the “Lifesaver of the Year” contest tab. To enter, nominees must complete the form and include an essay up to 500 words describing how their nominee has impacted their life or the lives of others in a water-related capacity. Complete the nominator and nominee information. This information will be used to contact winners and collect further information as needed to process campaign details.

Read and agree to the Official Rules. All contestants must have a valid email address. Limit one (1) entry per person. Limit one (1) entry per e-mail address. No automated entry devices and/or programs permitted. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsors and receipt of entries will not be acknowledged or returned. Sponsors are not responsible for lost, late, illegible, stolen, incomplete or invalid entries. Only fully completed entries will be accepted. Proof of submission will not be considered proof of receipt by Sponsors.

3. Submission Period: The submission period begins on October 3, 2012 at 8:00 am ET and ends at midnight ET on November 21, 2012.

4. Selection Process: Ten (10) finalists will be selected by a governing committee chosen by the Sponsors based on criteria set by Sponsors’ board of directors.

5. Voting Period: Finalists will be eligible for voting from December 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The finalist with the most votes will be pronounced the winner of the competition. Facebook fans of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance may vote once per day or every 24-hour period.

6. Prize: The winner of the Competition will receive a trip to the 12th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, FL from March 13-15, 2013. Hotel, airfare and conference fees will be covered for the winner of the Competition.

7. Notification: Winner will be notified by email or phone and may be required to sign and return, where legal, an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release within seven (7) days of prize notification. If winner cannot be contacted, if any prize is returned as undeliverable, or in the event of noncompliance with these Official Rules, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected, time permitting. Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given. Limit one prize per person or household.

The winner of the Competition will be invited to attend 12th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Symposium will be held from March 13-15, 2013.

8. License/Usage: By entering the Competition, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these Official Rules, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Competition. By entering, entrants agree to the use of their names, likenesses, biographical information, and/or statements for purposes of advertising, trade, or promotion without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. If any winner is deemed a minor, then such prize will be awarded to winner’s parent or legal guardian.

9. Release: By participating, entrants and winners agree to release and hold harmless Sponsors, its advertising and promotion agencies and Competition partners, and each of their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors, from any and all liability, for loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death which may occur in connection with, preparation for, travel to, or participation in Competition, or possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of prize or participation in any Competition-related activity and claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy and merchandise delivery. Neither Sponsors nor its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, agencies, divisions nor related companies are responsible for any damages, taxes, or expenses that winners might incur as a result of this Competition or receipt of prize. Entrants who do not comply with these Official Rules, or attempt to interfere with this Competition in any way, may be disqualified.

10. Additional Terms: In case of dispute as to identity of entrant, entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at time of entry. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational, institution, etc.) responsible for assigning email addresses or the domain associated with the submitted email address. Any attempted form of entry other than as set forth above is prohibited; no automatic, programmed; robotic or similar means of entry are permitted. Sponsors, its affiliates, partners and Competition and advertising agencies are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, telephone or other communications malfunctions, errors or failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, web site, Internet, or ISP availability, unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of entry information (regardless of cause) or failed, incomplete, garbled, jumbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit one’s ability to enter the Competition, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participating in this Competition or downloading any materials in this Competition. Sponsors reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, extend or suspend this Competition should (in its sole discretion) virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention, fraud or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Competition. In case of termination, Sponsors will select the winners from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Sponsors. Sponsors reserve the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds, in its sole discretion, to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Competition or web site. Sponsors may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Competition or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Competition by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or Sponsors’ representatives. Sponsors are not responsible if Competition cannot take place or if any prize cannot be awarded due to travel cancellations, delays or interruptions due to acts of God.

11. Use of Data: Sponsors will be collecting personal data about entrants online, in accordance with its privacy policy. By participating in the Competition, entrants hereby agree to Sponsors’ collection and usage of their personal information and acknowledge that they have read and accepted Sponsors’ privacy policy.

12. Sponsors:

National Drowning Prevention Alliance

One Hall of Fame Drive

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

USA Swimming Foundation

1 Olympic Plaza

Colorado Springs, CO 80909

The Pool Safely campaign provides information on the simple steps that parents, caregivers and pool owners should ensure that children and adults stay safe around pools and spas:

• 

  Pool Safely Saves Lives

  Stay close, be alert and watch children in and around the pool. Never leave children unattended in a pool or spa; always watch children closely around all bodies of water; teach children basic water safety skills; and keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings.

• Learn and practice water safety skills. Every family member should know how to swim. Learn how to perform CPR on both children and adults.
• Have appropriate equipment for your pool or spa. This includes pool fencing, a lockable safety cover for spas, proper drain covers to avoid entrapments and lifesaving equipment such as life rings and a reaching pole.

The Pool Safely campaign was launched in 2010 to raise awareness about pool and spa safety, as mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This year the campaign is increasing its focus on populations most at risk of drowning, including children younger than five years old who represent about 75 percent of child drowning fatalities and African American and Hispanic children between the ages of 5 and 14 who drown at higher rates than white children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from USA Swimming indicates that 70 percent of African American children and 62 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim.

The NDPA 2013 Symposium will be held Wednesday, March 13 – Friday, March 15, 2013 at the Bahia Mar Doubletree in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Early Bird registration has begun!
Register now to take advantage of early bird pricing (ends January 31, 2013)
$299 – Members
$350 – Non-Members

Click Here to Register!

Host Hotel:
Bahia Mar Doubletree Ft. Lauderdale will be our host hotel.  Come experience the essence of a tranquil retreat set on the pristine Ft. Lauderdale Beach, minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades and the airport.  Take pleasure in the waterside relaxation of Fort Lauderdale, enjoy your favorite cocktail at a seaside café, and watch the waves kiss the shore or browse the chic boutiques of the shopping districts.

We have negotiated a very special rate of only $135 per night for Courtyard/Marina View or $165 per night for Tower, Partial Ocean View (limited availability) for this fabulous hotel for the Sympoiusm.  This rate is also good if you want to stay for the weekend (on a space available basis of course).  Book Early…at this amazing rate this hotel will fill up fast!!

You can make hotel reservations at the Bahia Mar Double Tree Ft. Lauderdale by going to the website address below.

Click Here for Hotel Reservations

You may also call the hotel to make your reservation at (800) 222-8733 and mention code DPA for the group rate.

Important:
Sleeping rooms are first come first serve – once the room block is full our NDPA rate many not be available.  Please make sleeping room arrangements as far in advance as possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at ndpa@suncoastmeetings.

Register today! This is an event you are not going to want to miss!!

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Pool Safely campaign released information stating that based on compiled media reports, 137 children younger than 15 drowned in a pool or spa between Memorial Day and Labor Day this year.  In addition, 168 children of that age required emergency response for non-fatal incidents in pools or spas during that period.

“Drowning is preventable, said Kim Burgess, executive director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “That’s why the NDPA is committed to partnering with the CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign to help educate the public.

“We urge everyone to follow the Safer3 tips for best water safety practices,” said Burgess. “For Safer Water, prevent children’s unsupervised access with barriers and alarms; for Safer Kids, designate a “Water Watcher” to supervise kids when they are in or around water and teach them swimming and water safety skills from a young age; for Safer Response, learn CPR and have a phone and a reaching pole by the pool.”

An analysis of news media reports for this summer show that 54 of these drownings occurred shortly after the children left an adult who was in their immediate vicinity, and 31 children drowned despite the presence of others at the pool.

This summer’s news reports are consistent with CPSC’s annual reports, showing that young children and toddlers are especially vulnerable to drowning— at least 100 of the 137 children who drowned were younger than 5. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4.

“These figures are a strong indication that child drownings are a serious public health problem,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “We are losing too many children to drowning, tragically cutting short these young lives and leaving families devastated. While summer is ending, our vigilance in ensuring that all children pool safely must not end. With so many indoor community pools, hotel pools and spas, indoor waterparks, as well as outdoor pools that remain open in warm-weather states, we must continue our efforts to remind everyone to pool safely whenever they are near the water.”

It’s important to note that not every child drowning is reported on or tracked by the media. Moreover, it takes time for CPSC to compile data of all child drownings from around the country. Each May, CPSC releases reports of drownings and non-fatal submersions for children younger than 15. CPSC data from 2007 to 2009 shows an annual average of 243 children drowned in pools or spas during the summer months. This is about 63 percent of the total annual drownings in those years.

During the summer of 2012, the following twelve states suffered the highest number of pool and spa drownings for children younger than 15:

1. Texas (17)                                                                   7.  Florida (6)
2. California (10)                                                         8.  Illinois (6)
3. Ohio (9)                                                                        9.  North Carolina (6)
4. Arizona (8)                                                                  10. Alabama (5)
5. Michigan (8)                                                              11. Georgia (5)
6. Pennsylvania (7)                                                    12. New York (5)

CPSC’s 2012 submersion report shows an average of 390 pool or spa-related drownings occur each year for children younger than 15, based on statistics from 2007-2009. Each year about 5,200 children younger than 15 were treated in emergency departments for pool or spa-related submersion injuries.

The NDPA Annual Drowning Prevention Symposium is the leading national conference devoted to drowning prevention. This educational event is designed to offer attendees the best of the best in research, products, educational programming, outreach strategies, policy and code, international relations, and other topics related to drowning prevention.

Symposium sponsors contribute to both the overall success and the programming that make this event one of the most highly regarded drowning prevention educational events in the nation.

Symposium sponsors enable the NDPA programs to grow and support our overall mission throughout the year.

Get the Symposium Sponsor Package CLICK HERE