Preventing adolescent drowning: understanding water safety knowledge, attitudes and swimming ability. The effect of a short water safety intervention.

•We implemented and evaluated an aquatic education program for adolescents.•Young adults had a very low level of water safety knowledge.•Majority of young adults had sound swimming and water safety skills and attitudes.•Swimming lessons had no impact on water safety knowledge, skills or attitudes.•Aquatic programs are a potential drowning prevention strategy for adolescents.