It is estimated that 37% of Americans either cannot swim or are terrified of the water. Of the remaining who do know how to swim, it is estimated that as few as 3% can swim more than 500 meters non-stop.

While those percentages may sound high to those in the swimming community, those percentages of non-swimmers are not unusual around the world. Especially in locations where society is surrounded by water.

Hong Kong, at the southern tip of China, is a municipality of 200 islands and 700 kilometers of coastline. Yet it is estimated that somewhere between 50-80% of its residents cannot swim. While a focus on academics and a professional career are on the minds of most, a recent ferry accident in October resulted in 39 deaths when more than 100 passengers fell overboard.

So learn how to swim and wear those life jackets on board if swimming is a life skill whose class you missed.

Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source