Drowning is preventable
Mind the waters
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M2O Swim treats the mind as the first line of water safety. We create curriculum and deliver programs that teach swim and water safety lessons that integrate mindfulness skills. Children and adults learn to float, breathe and move through water while they learn to quiet anxiety, focus their attention and stay calm under pressure. The same skills that prevent drowning build confidence and emotional resilience on dry land.
Our work reaches well beyond in-water swim lessons: No Pool School physical education and classroom sessions, Water Safety Ambassadors for students, adults, caregivers/grandparents, lifeguard training, and Deep Carry, an online strength and carry program.
Our nonprofit partner: M2O Swim Drowning Prevention Alliance
M2O Swim creates and owns the curriculum. The M2O Swim Drowning Prevention Alliance (M2O Swim Alliance), a 501(c)(3), licenses it and brings it to schools, communities, recreation departments and community pools, supported by grants and donations so that cost does not decide who learns water safety.
Our mission is to prevent drowning by teaching all people of all ages and abilities the swimming and mindfulness skills that help them to be safe in water and safe on land, in their social environment.
At M2O Swim, we believe that swimming is not only a valuable life-saving skill but also an opportunity to strengthen mental health and physical health.
M2O Swim Lessons
Designed for individuals of all ages, capabilities and learning styles, the M2O experience combines mindfulness training with swim lessons.
Our innovative swim lesson program curriculum focuses on strengthening the body (physical health) and the mind (mental health). The natural repetition of swim blended with mindfulness instruction promotes intentional self awareness, in the present moment, in a non judgmental environment.
By integrating mindfulness in our swim curriculum, we help our swimmers recognize when they are in panic mode, override their brain's fight, flight or freeze response and connect with their learned ability to make life-saving decisions. We teach individuals to be fully aware of their emotions and surroundings when in and around water, fostering a culture of safety and vigilance.
Our curriculum incorporates a trauma-informed, culturally competent approach to engage mind and body, benefitting non-swimmers, casual swimmers, and experienced water sport athletes of all ages.
With M2O instruction, you will be safer in the water and stronger in the world! The M2O headquarters is located on the idyllic campus of Saint Basil Academy in Garrison, New York.
Learn and be inspired together
Learn at your own pace
Integrate M2O into PE curriculum
Focus on stroke and endurance
What's in our name, M2O?
Our name is our method. Like H2O, it is a formula. M is the mind, the first layer of protection around water. We train it through mindfulness. 2 is the two places we practice: in the water and on land. O is oxygen. Breathing is where swimming and mindfulness meet: it keeps you afloat, and it keeps you calm.
M2O isn’t just about water safety, it's also about addressing mental health. We recognize that anxiety and stress are real challenges for many, especially in environments that can feel overwhelming, in water or on land in our daily lives.
By combining mindfulness with water safety, we help children and adults build the confidence to stay calm in stressful situations, whether in or out of the water.
By incorporating mindfulness techniques into our swim lessons and water safety awareness programs, M2O SWIM's physical and mental health training provides tools and skills needed to respond effectively in critical moments in the water AND on land.
Our M2O Team
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M2O Swim was founded by Rebecca, a social worker, and Chrisanna, a swim coach. Our M2O coaches have over 30 years of combined aquatic experience. Our M2O coaches are trained/certified in all and/or a majority of the following:
Water Safety Instruction (WSI)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
American Red Cross First Aid
American Red Cross Lifeguard
CDC Heads Up Concussion Training
Athlete Protection Training: Safe Sport
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
Mental Health America Certificate programs
Rebecca Pearsall
Founder & CEO
Chrisanna Hickey
Founder & COO
Head Coach
Larry Collins
Coach
Alyssa McMorrow
Coach
We love data and science!
Benefits of M2O
We have an M2O swim principal investigator to help us understand the best practices around mindfulness, swim instruction and drowning prevention.
By combining swim lessons with mindfulness training, we hope to help lessen stress, increase self esteem and raise emotional awareness. M2O Swim instruction aims to create new neural pathways that provide psychological fortitude as well as physical strength.
We are constantly learning and updating our practices.
Our Connections
We believe in connection.
We are thankful for our supporters.
We are thankful for our training.
We are grateful for our partnerships.
Visit and support them.
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