On July 25, the Lifesaving Society will be hosting World Drowning Prevention Day. Declared through a 2021 United Nations General Assembly resolution, this global advocacy event serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities, and to offer life-saving solutions to prevent it.
“Unite to Turn the Tide on Drowning”
This Year's Campaign ThemeThis year's theme is a call to better align our efforts to statistically eliminate drowning. By bringing together governments, community leaders, and individuals through coordinated, multi-sectoral action, we can reduce the impact of this leading global cause of death and move towards a future free of drowning.
The Scale of the Problem
Drowning remains one of the world's most overlooked public health issues. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 236,000 people drown every year globally, and drowning is among the top ten causes of death for children aged 5 to 14. Closer to home, the Lifesaving Society reports that more than 450 people drown in Canada annually, making it the second leading cause of unintentional death for children and the third leading cause of unintentional death for adults nationwide.
236,000
estimated drownings worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.
450+
Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents every year, per the Lifesaving Society.
90%
of global drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, and other open or unsupervised bodies of water.
70%
of drowning victims never intended to enter the water, and were often within 15 metres of safety.
Simple Actions That Save Lives
The good news: the vast majority of drownings are preventable. The Lifesaving Society encourages every Canadian, including here in Mahogany, to take a few simple steps to help keep our community water smart:
Wear a lifejacket while boating, paddleboarding, or doing any water sport, and any time you can't swim.
Supervise children and non-swimmers closely, keeping them within arm's reach whenever they're in or around the water.
Stay sober around water, and save alcohol for after you're done swimming, boating, or paddling.
Swim with a buddy, never alone, and learn to recognize the signs of someone in distress in the water.
Take a Swim to Survive course to build the essential skills to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.
Every one of us has a role to play in making Mahogany Lake, and every body of water our residents visit, a little safer this summer.
Want to learn more about the global campaign?
Visit the World Health Organization's World Drowning Prevention Day page or the Lifesaving Society's World Drowning Prevention Day page.
