On this important episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, host Joe Trusty sits down with Dr. Adam Katchmarchi, a leading national expert on drowning prevention and water safety. As National Pool Safety Month kicks off, this conversation couldn’t be more timely or more vital. Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death among children ages one to four — and many of these tragedies are entirely preventable.
Dr. Katchmarchi, now with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and formerly Executive Director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, walks listeners through the most common — and often overlooked — drowning scenarios. He also shares staggering statistics about those who are most at risk.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Katchmarchi emphasizes the importance of using a layered approach to pool safety — something illustrated clearly in Pool Magazine’s new Pyramid of Pool Safety infographic. The pyramid outlines four critical layers: safety devices like alarms and drain covers, physical barriers such as fences and covers, swim lessons starting as early as age one, and most importantly, active adult supervision. But as we discuss, supervision alone isn’t enough — and often fails, especially in busy backyard gatherings where everyone assumes “someone else is watching.”
In addition to discussing the pyramid, Dr. Katchmarchi shares real-world advice for pool owners, parents, and even Airbnb hosts who rent out their backyard pools. From creating safety rule signage to displaying the property address near the pool area, and having a dedicated landline for 911 access, he offers actionable steps that can make a real difference in an emergency. The episode also explores how new technology — including AI-driven pool cameras and smart alarms — is beginning to change the landscape of water safety.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, pool owner, or pool professional, this is one of the most important conversations about swimming pool safety you’ll hear all season.
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