Don’t Drink and Drown is the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s national campaign that encourages smart decision making whilst being drunk around water.

It particularly targets individuals to be responsible for their friends if they have had too much to drink; helping them to return home safely.

Research indicates that among those aged 16-25 who lost their lives to accidental drowning, 44% had alcohol and/or drugs in their bloodstream*.

Many of them drowned because they walked home alone and fell into the water.

Help us to save lives by getting involved with the campaign:

Download our DD&D Marketing Toolkit

Spread the word on social media with out DD&D Resources

Share our DD&D film

Water Safety Equipment Training

Purchase our DD&D Resources


Our advice:

  • Look out for your friends, make sure they get home safely
  • If you’ve had a drink, stay away from the water
  • Find an alternative route home, don’t walk home near the water
  • Stay away from the water in winter, cold water shock kills

Effects of alcohol on the body:

  • Alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading to impaired judgment which means you are more likely to take risks and get in trouble
  • Alcohol limits muscle ability making simple movements much harder
  • Alcohol slows down your reactions making it more difficult to get yourself out of trouble
  • Alcohol numbs the senses making swimming very difficult
*Source: WAID (2018-2022)