New bill would require students to be taught water safety

There's a new push to pass a law requiring all kids be taught water safety in school.

News 12 Staff

Jun 6, 2019, 2:15 AM

Updated 2,030 days ago

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There's a new push to pass a law requiring all kids be taught water safety in school.

It comes ahead of the eight-year anniversary of the teenager who died after being pulled out by a rip current off of Bradley Beach.

Naisere Nelson was 15 years old and knew how to swim, but to this day his family believes if he knew more about currents and when it is safe to go in the water, he'd still be alive.

"A couple of his friends did try to save him, but he was struggling so bad and fighting it that they felt he would take them with him," his grandmother Curlie Jackson said.

Jackson hands out bracelets on Bradley Beach to spread the word and to tell others to be careful.

Assemblyman Sean Kean's bill would mandate students be taught water safety whether it's the ocean, a pool or as part of gym class.

If the bill makes it to a law, Kean says the Department of Education could formulate the curriculum.