25th July marks World Drowning Prevention Day

Stakeholders and all parties with an interest in water safety are again being urged to participate in World Drowning Prevention Day on Tuesday 25th July.

Held annually on 25th July, the global advocacy event serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it.

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) advise that "drowning has caused over 2.5 million deaths in the last decade (and that) the overwhelming majority of these deaths (90%) happen in low- and middle-income countries.

"Globally, the highest drowning rates occur among children aged 1-4 years, followed by children aged 5-9 years.

"The human, social and economic toll of these losses is intolerably high, and entirely preventable."

In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution on Global Drowning prevention in which 25th July was designated to be the annual World Drowning Prevention Day,

Enhancing this commitment, in June the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted its first ever resolution on drowning prevention - requesting governments and their partners, in collaboration with the WHO, to accelerate action on drowning prevention.

To mark this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO will continue to focus on raising awareness on drowning as a public health issue, reminding people that anyone can drown, but no one should.

Locally, to stay safe around water, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Surf Life Saving Australian urge people to:

• Always supervise children in, on and around water

• Learn swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills

• Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling

• Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags

• Avoid alcohol and drugs around water

Water safety organisations, educators, local government and facility operators are also arranging activities linking with World Drowning Prevention Day.

Among these, Blacktown City Council will be hosting an event at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope on the morning of 25th July to recognise the tragic and profound impact that drowning has on families and communities and acknowledge the drowning prevention strategies implemented in the venue.

Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving have also joined to host the International Life Saving Federation’s World Conference on Drowning Prevention which will be held at the Perth Conference and Exhibition Centre from 4th to 7th December 2023.

This globally significant event will focus world attention on drowning prevention. WCDP 2023 will gather experts in drowning prevention, lifesaving and water safety with the goal of Shaping Global Strategy and Mobilising for Action.

Click here for more information on World Drowning Prevention Day.

Click here for more information on the International Life Saving Federation’s 2023 World Conference on Drowning Prevention in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.