DAPHNE, Ala. — Children had the chance to learn about water safety and be a part of a possible world record on June 14. The children took part in the “World’s Largest Swim Lesson” at the Daphne YMCA while the high temperature for the day was expected to reach 100 degrees.

The heat index would be 105 degrees.

As the temperatures rise and individuals around the world seek out the reprieve water offers, organizers of the event had a dual goal: to teach individuals about water safety and raise awareness of the dangers water poses, especially to young children. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintended, injury related death of children ages 1 to 14 in the U.S.

Aquatics facilities around the world hosted a swimming lesson that began at 10 a.m. and lasted for 45 minutes. The lessons were an attempt to break a world record, but the results of that will not be known until the video, photos and documentation are submitted by all the sites and reviewed by officials with Guinness.

Christina Bailey, aquatics director for the Bounds Family YMCA, said the lesson would teach children about water safety and beginning swimming skills.

“We are trying to promote swimming lessons to save lives,” she said.

The lessons offered in Daphne were given to children between the ages of 3 and 12 by five licensed instructors.

“The kids will mostly get water safety out of the lesson. It is a beginner swimming lesson where they learn submerging, entering and exiting the water safely, beginner stroke technique, really focusing on safety,” Bailey said.

To verify the number of people participating in the event, each testing site has to submit plenty of documentation before the determination is made if the world record was broken.

“We (had) to video it, send in pictures and (document) anything that has been in the media. We have to have two unrelated witnesses write letters in and send in our roster,” Bailey said.

Editor’s Note: Read more about the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson attempt in the June 17 edition of The Bulletin.