May is National Water Safety Month, a time to remind families that drowning is preventable –yet it remains one of the leading causes of death for young children and people under 30. 

For Montgomery County Public Safety Officer Marcus Dixon, a commitment to community safety is something that runs deep in his family, with all four of Marcus’ children, Josh (21), Matt (20), and twins Sam and Hannah (16) being American Red Cross Certified lifeguards. 

“Safety is not just one person’s responsibility,” said Marcus. “It truly takes a community.”  

This summer, as families head to pools, lakes and beaches, the Dixon family is helping raise awareness that water safety is not solely the responsibility of lifeguards. It takes parents, caregivers, bystanders and entire communities staying alert and vigilant around water. 

Danger in the Water can Escalate Quickly

Siblings Josh, Matt, Hannah and Sam  – have spent years watching swimmers and responding to emergencies. They say unsafe behavior around water can escalate far more quickly than many people realize.

“Fighting in the water, horsing around – next thing you know, a kid can slip underwater and can’t get back up,” Hannah said. “Tiny things like messing around in the water can escalate very quickly – in a matter of seconds.”

Drowning rarely looks the way people expect – drowning is often silent and can happen in less than a minute and in as little as four inches of water. 

“All it takes is you guys having fun,” Hannah said. “Someone becomes a distressed swimmer, pulls on you, and you’re under the water within a second or two seconds. That’s all it takes.”

Bystanders Are Often the First Responders

Bystanders are often the first line of defense during an emergency around water. Research shows that drowning victims are most often rescued by people nearby, not trained professionals—simply because they’re closest to the incident. More than 60% of bystander rescues happen alone, before help arrives.

“What happens sometimes is people panic in the water, making the situation worse,” said Sam Dixon, one of the Dixon siblings. “That’s why taking training on what to do in an emergency is so important – even if it’s just to get used to the water and know, in case of a dangerous situation, what you can do.” 

Untrained water rescues can become dangerous for both the victim and the rescuer. Instead of entering the water, people should alert a lifeguard and remember: “reach or throw, don’t go.”

Prevention Starts Before Anyone Enters the Water

The American Red Cross recommends layered protection: close supervision, pool fencing, swim lessons, lifeguarded swim areas and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. The Dixon family says active supervision from parents and caregivers is especially critical.

Marcus draws a direct line between lifeguarding and community policing. 

"In my role as a police officer, people rely on me for protection," he said. "Lifeguarding is the same. We all need to be the eyes and ears for each other."

CPR training, the family says, is among the simplest steps anyone can take.

"A Red Cross instructor stopped us during practice and said, 'This isn't a mannequin — this is your child,'" Marcus recalled. "That made it deeply personal."

The American Red Cross encourages families to make water safety part of their summer plans. Learn how to be water smart, find swim lessons, access free safety resources and sign up for CPR and first aid training at Red Cross Water Safety. Families can also find swim lessons at Red Cross Swim Lessons and enroll in CPR and AED training at Red Cross Training Services.