While “Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning” is likely to strike a resounding chord with anyone who sees it, the campaign is especially thought-provoking and impactful from a marketing and communications standpoint. Here’s why:

1. Though the NDPA’s campaign was admittedly made possible by a generous donation from its agency, Doner, healthcare organizations have launched similar initiatives in their own communities. After a record number of child drowning injuries were admitted to their hospital, Cook Children’s Health Care System created Lifeguard Your Child, with PSA videos featuring simulations of the most common drowning scenarios they see. Their ability to turn their patient data into impactful action is admirable. Might lack of understanding be contributing to other healthcare situations, prompting the need for similar communications efforts to address those concerns as well?

2. Both campaigns aim to shatter typical misconceptions in a very illustrative, subtle way, showing how easily the real signs of child drownings can go unnoticed even when adults are in the vicinity. While dispelling fallacies won’t always be applicable to our communications, we should still ask ourselves if we are inadvertently perpetuating myths and stereotypes through the portrayals within them.

3. The PSAs’ “show, don’t tell” approach serves as a reminder that actions can often convey more than words alone, demonstrating that even simple and understated communications can carry substantial impact. The NDPA wisely reserved more of its educational content and resources for the “Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning” website, featured in the videos and linked below.