World Drowning Prevention Day

In April 2021, the United Nations adopted the historic first Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention, recognising the scale of the problem, calling for coordinated action to prevent drowning and marking the 25 July as World Drowning Prevention Day.

Drowning doesn’t have a single cause, or a single solution. But it can be prevented. Drowning is an issue that affects every nation of the world. Globally, nearly a quarter of a million people lose their lives to drowning every year. Almost 82,000 of them are children.

In Australia hundreds of families lose loved ones to drowning every year.

World Drowning Prevention Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of drowning prevention and to reduce preventable deaths.

What INDIVIDUALS can do to take action to prevent drowning

• Enrol in swimming lessons
• Supervise children
• Check pool fence and gate
• Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
• Wear a lifejacket
• Know the conditions
• Become a pool lifeguard
• Learn CPR
• Become a swim teacher

Every small step we take can help save lives.

HOW ORGANISATIONS CAN GET INVOLVED

Aquatic Centres, Swim Schools and Community Groups are encouraged to promote and support World Drowning Prevention Day, to shine a spotlight on and raise awareness of that fact that "anyone can drown, no one should".

From Going Blue, Sharing Resources and Sharing Local Stories - Be part of the global movement to prevent drowning and promote water safety.

1. GO BLUE: LIGHT UP

On Thursday 25 July, landmarks across Australia will turn blue to both remember those who have been lost to drowning, and as a reminder that “anyone can drown, but no one should”.

Either light up your building or reach out to your community to light up blue on Thursday 25 July.

2. GO BLUE: SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

It's not just buildings that go blue - you and your organisation can too.

• Wearing blue - this could include wearing a blue t-shirt, blue swim cap, blue zinc, blue nail polish, blue lifejacket or a blue towel.
• Hosting a blue themed morning tea with a blue cupcakes, blue lemonade, blue cookies, blue flowers or blue decorations.
• Decorating - this could include decorating your office blue, with blue balloons/streamers and printing/posting up the World Drowning Prevention Day Posters.

3. SHARE OUR RESOURCES

We have a range of online marketing resources to promote World Drowning Prevention Day for all communication channels and to display at aquatic facilities, swim schools and community organisations.

This content includes: Posters, Website, Social Media and Video Content.

4. SHARE YOUR STORIES