The Drownproofing Program is a comprehensive aquatic safety program for fifth grade students in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The program provides students with the opportunity to develop sound water safety practices through information taught in the classroom and to demonstrate water safety skills developed in a pool.

Each student receives several hours of readiness instruction that correlates with the Language Arts curriculum. The lessons are taught by the classroom teacher. Upon the completion of the readiness lessons, the students are transported to one of two pools used for the program. The pool at Arlington Echo is used in September, May and June. The majority of the program is taught at the Arundel Olympic Swim Center in Annapolis. Each student receives 4 hours of instruction taught by certified Aquatic Safety Instructors. A skills evaluation for each student is completed by the instructor and given to the students at the end of the program.

The program contains lessons on personal water safety, use of personal flotation devices (PFDs), safe rescues of others and cold water survival techniques. Concepts about hypothermia and ice safety are also incorporated into the aquatic lessons. For more information or possible employment opportunities, contact Cathy Bellarin, Teacher Specialist Outdoor Education at 410.222.5855 or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it