I might be wrong, but I bet a lot less would drown if they knew how to swim.
You don’t need professional swimming classes. Anyone who knows how to swim can teach a kid to swim. Just like anyone who knows how to read can teach reading. (I taught my own three children to read fluently before they started grade 1 using a $30 book on phonics)
I would have taught them how to swim myself, but we had a YMCA just a bit of a drive away. They learned how to swim shortly after beginning to walk. They even had “water babies” classes before that.. to learn to relax in 10 foot deep water and roll over on their back and float. A life saving skill for babies.
Parents could teach their kids to swim in any shallow slow moving little river or creek. You do not need a swimming pool.
When I became a parent….to me the most important responsibilities was, make sure they learn to swim, make sure they learn to read, make sure they learn to safely cross the street, make sure they say “No” and run from strangers, make sure they respect the police, make sure they learn to floss and brush and care for their teeth. And get them regular health checkups.