PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND DROWNING PREVENTION: TEACHING WATER SAFETY AT SCHOOL

Abstract

This article addresses the relevance of water safety in the context of school Physical Education, given the high drowning rate in Brazil. The objective was to report on a teaching proposal developed in the Aquatic Activities II course of the Physical Education program at Fluminense Federal University, aimed at high school students, to develop aquatic competence even in schools without swimming pools. The methodology consisted of developing a sequence of 10 lessons, covering both institutions with access to a swimming pool and those without aquatic infrastructure, using a court, classroom, videos, games, role-playing, and risk maps. The content addressed the identification of aquatic environments and their hazards, epidemiological data, safety equipment, practical simulations, and discussions on environmental education. The results indicated that, despite the lack of swimming pools in 97% of Brazilian public schools, it is possible to teach water safety in a critical, preventive, and meaningful way, promoting students' autonomy, responsibility, and civic awareness regarding the use of rivers, beaches, lakes, and public pools. It is concluded that the inclusion of this theme expands the pedagogical possibilities of Physical Education, strengthening body culture, valuing life, and reducing inequalities, establishing itself as an inclusive and transformative practice.

Keywords: Aquatic activities. Aquatic safety. School Physical Education. Accident prevention. Drowning.