Judah Brown Project

08/18/2026

08/05/2026

So as many of you know, Judah, Mark Brown’s and my youngest son, died in 2016 at the age of 3, because of accidental drowning.

Shortly after his death, I found out about the dangers of using flotation devices frequently with kids his age. I have spent the last 10 years teaching people what I didn’t know about them and working with other professionals in the water safety world to look deeper into this issue.

I have collected 80+ stories of this exact thing happening to other children.

I have been working with Acacia Land and the team at Swimming & Aquatics Ed/Drowning Research-Injury Prevention Policy Institute to advocate with the CPSC (who regulates most of these devices) to at least put a warning label on them.

For the last 6 months we have been working on the following piece. Please share with anyone you love.

https://www.investigatetv.com/2026/08/03/under-water-experts-concerned-some-flotation-devices-children-may-pose-drowning-risk/?fbclid=IwZnRzaATfdydwZG9mBWZkaWQWUL4hH4zyXT9U3Cb3CYM8BkfdqbmGD2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6bttQtQf-dGW5x9aHE1D7KE7tI1agMC7e-jXciSwtSf5Hh9K2hx7ZxQJroXw_aem_ptyL_jyVPKL6mD_BBCnMdw

Wearable floaties are often marketed as learn-to-swim aids for toddlers. Some even carry “Coast Guard approved” language—but parents and researchers worry they can create a false sense of safety and don't teach children to swim.

08/04/2026

Do your family a favor and leave those Puddle Jumpers behind. Actually... just throw them out. 💙

07/27/2026

2 minutes. That's all it took for my son to slip out of my sight, make it to the water without me, and drown.

When water is anywhere in the area, you need to have a supervision plan.

Know who is watching the kids at all times. Designate someone as the water watcher. Don't just assume someone is watching.

Make sure whoever is watching the kids doesn't have any distractions like their phone or talking to people.

Do not distract the designated water watcher. They need their full attention on the children.

Switch water watchers frequently so that fresh eyes can always be watching the kids. A good rule is to switch when the lifeguards switch.

Always provide one-to-one supervision for non-swimmers, and always make sure you are close enough to grab them if you need to.

Never, ever leave a child in or near water alone. Not even for the time it takes to grab a towel. A young child can drown in as little as 30 seconds.

Remember: Drowning is fast and silent, and it can happen right in front of you without you seeing it. So always be watching for it.

Play time for them is work time for you.

07/24/2026

40 Scholarships for 40 Little Lives

40 children.
40 survival swim scholarships.
40 chances to learn lifesaving water skills.

25 children have already been funded.

15 more are still waiting.

Each scholarship gives a child the opportunity to learn survival swim skills—skills that can mean the difference between life and death in a water emergency.

Drowning is often silent. It happens quickly. And it can happen to any family.

That’s why this work matters.

🟡 Every life jacket on this board represents a child.

Orange = funded
White = still waiting

With every donation, another child moves from waiting to learning… to being safer in and around water...to learning not to drown.

💙 You can help us reach 40.

A gift of:

$50 helps move a child forward in lessons
$100 supports critical skill development
$600–$800 fully funds one child’s survival swim scholarship
Every dollar brings us closer to fully funding all 40 children.

🌊 Our goal is simple:

No child left waiting for water safety skills.
If you’d like to sponsor a child today or help us reach our goal of
40, you can do that here:

👉https://judahbrownproject.org/donate/

Or share this post to help us reach someone who can.

💙 Because every child deserves the chance to be safe in and around water.

07/22/2026

To learn more about water safety, visit us at JUDAHBROWNPROJECT.ORG 💙

07/13/2026

Dear Friend,

Are you a parent who has lost a child to drowning? Or, are you a Swim Instructor?

Today, we have an opportunity to help prevent other families from experiencing the heartbreak of losing their children.

The Swimming & Aquatics Ed/Drowning Research-Injury Prevention Policy Institute, in partnership with the Judah Brown Project and the World Open Water Swimming Association, is asking the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to take a closer look at wearable flotation devices such as puddle jumpers, arm floaties, swim rings, swim vests, and other products that many families believe make children safer in the water.

Research suggests these products may create a false sense of security, reduce close supervision, and interfere with the development of true water safety skills.

The CPSC is listening.

On June 30, Acting CPSC Chairman Peter Feldman acknowledged that we must do better to protect children from drowning. Now we have an opportunity to make sure the voices of families are part of that conversation.

Here's How You Can Help:

1. Share Your Story

If your child was wearing or had experience with a wearable flotation device, or if you have thoughts about these products, we invite you to complete the attached survey.
Your experience may help shape future policies and improve child safety.

2. Sign the Petition

Together, we are asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to strengthen oversight of wearable flotation devices and improve the information available to parents.
Every signature helps demonstrate that families want meaningful action.

3. Join Our National Roundtable
July 24, 2026
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Eastern on Zoom

The day before World Drowning Prevention Day, families, researchers, instructors, and advocates from across the country will come together to discuss ways we can better protect children.

Whether you choose to simply listen or share your story, your voice is welcome.

Registration Link for the Roundtable on Zoom:

https://sfsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/t6987t4VThewIb3ZfOlHfA

Why Your Voice Matters:

Your child's story cannot be changed.
But it can help protect another child.
That is a legacy no parent ever wanted to create—but one that has the power to save lives.

Link to fill out the survey/sign the petition:

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfz3O4WqeG3Cb.../viewform

Thank you for considering being part of this effort.

With gratitude,
Christi Brown
Judah's Momma & Executive Director
Judah Brown Project See less

07/08/2026

Dear Friend,

Are you a parent who has lost a child to drowning? Or, are you a Swim Instructor?

Today, we have an opportunity to help prevent other families from experiencing the heartbreak of losing their children.

The Swimming & Aquatics Ed/Drowning Research-Injury Prevention Policy Institute, in partnership with the Judah Brown Project and the World Open Water Swimming Association, is asking the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to take a closer look at wearable flotation devices such as puddle jumpers, arm floaties, swim rings, swim vests, and other products that many families believe make children safer in the water.

Research suggests these products may create a false sense of security, reduce close supervision, and interfere with the development of true water safety skills.

The CPSC is listening.

On June 30, Acting CPSC Chairman Peter Feldman acknowledged that we must do better to protect children from drowning. Now we have an opportunity to make sure the voices of families are part of that conversation.

Here's How You Can Help:

1. Share Your Story

If your child was wearing or had experience with a wearable flotation device, or if you have thoughts about these products, we invite you to complete the attached survey.

Your experience may help shape future policies and improve child safety.

2. Sign the Petition

Together, we are asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to strengthen oversight of wearable flotation devices and improve the information available to parents.

Every signature helps demonstrate that families want meaningful action.

3. Join Our National Roundtable

July 24, 2026
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Eastern

The day before World Drowning Prevention Day, families, researchers, instructors, and advocates from across the country will come together to discuss ways we can better protect children.

Whether you choose to simply listen or share your story, your voice is welcome.

(Registration link coming soon.)

Why Your Voice Matters:

Your child's story cannot be changed.

But it can help protect another child.

That is a legacy no parent ever wanted to create—but one that has the power to save lives.

Link to fill out the survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfz3O4WqeG3CboiKwAtCNexrZCTdRJCUc2NLkLHav1C-4M7jw/viewform

Thank you for considering being part of this effort.

With gratitude,

Christi Brown
Judah's Momma & Executive Director
Judah Brown Project

Wearable Flotation Devices Are Putting Children at Risk. We Call on CPSC to Act — Urgently. | July 2026 The Drowning Research & Injury Prevention Policy Institute, in collaboration with the Judah Brown Project and the World Open Water Swimming Association, is holding a public TOWN HALL and has dra...