The first-ever World Drowning Prevention Day was commemorated in 2021 on July 25. Since then, this day is marked annually across the globe.

This 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.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death globally for children and young people aged 1-24 years.

Every year, an estimated 236,000 people drown, according to the World Health Organization.

More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with children under the age of five being at the highest risk.

These deaths are frequently linked to daily, routine activities, such as bathing, collecting water for domestic use, traveling over water on boats or ferries, and fishing.

The impacts of seasonal or extreme weather events – including monsoons – are also a frequent cause of drowning.

Most of these deaths are preventable, through evidence-based, low-cost solutions, such as:

-installing barriers controlling access to water

-providing safe places away from water such as crèches for pre-school children with capable childcare

-teaching swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills

-training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation

-setting and enforcing safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations

-improving flood risk management. (ILKHA)