Dr Tom Griffiths becomes an MLC Honorary Life Member
Mediterranean 23.04.2024. The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation (MLC) proudly announces that the Founder of the Aquatic Safety Research Group, Dr Tom Griffiths (USA), became an MLC Honorary Life Member.
Dr Tom Griffiths is one of the most informative, inovative, dynamic, and entertaining water safety authorities in the world. He is the President of the Aquatic Safety Research Group. He was the Aquatics Manager at Penn State University for 23 years, Instructor for the National Swimming Pool Foundation, held numerous professorial positions in American universities, made water safety consultancies, coached springboard diving, taught aquatics and physical education. He has several inventions to his credit, including the “Griff’s Guard Station”, “The Five Minute Scanning Strategy”, “The Safety Signage System”, the “Griff’s Sun-Shade” the produced the “Drowning Files Podcast”, released “Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Vision” (2024), and published “Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Chronicles (2024)”. He has published six textbooks and has written hundreds of publications of all types, presented nearly 1,000 lectures, seminars in many countries, appeared on media, and gave numerous keynote presentations. He has conducted hundreds of water safety inspections, seminars, audits, underwater expeditions, and aquatic risk management seminars about safe swimming pools, waterparks and beaches, and conducted hundreds of aquatic facility audits around the globe. He served in various posts the National Recreation and Park Association, Pennsylvania Aquatic Council, National YMCA, American Red Cross, Pennsylvania Aquatic Council, Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame, Centers for Disease Control, World Drowning Congress to mention a few. He is honored 23 times from numerous organizations including the American Red Cross and universities. He was enlisted in the “Top 100 - Who’s Who in Aquatics” 7 times, and among the top 25 most powerful aquatics professionals in the World, another 3 times by Aquatics International Magazine. He was honored by the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame.
Dr Griffiths, commented about his recognition: "I am flattered by my induction by the MLC. Drowning has always been a serious problem in the Mediterranean waters. This confederation was needed. I commend its founders, encourage the national federations of the area to support it and wish them success. Lifesaving is a great sport that will unite the citizens of Europe, Asia and Africa, and will contribute to saving more lives from drowning. After the Championships at World level and the World Games, the Mediterranean Championships are going to be a promising lifesaving event!"
The MLC President, Giorgio Quintavalle and the MLC Secretary General, Dr Stathis Avramidis, said on this occasion: “Dr Tom is one of the most powerfull and well known drowning prevention authorities of the world. His illustrious and prolific career is rich and long. His input and desire for innovation is outstanding. Many of us, grew up reading his publications in our early years. We are proud to induct him among our Honorary Life Members!”
