RLSS UK CEO Robert Gofton discusses World Drowning Prevention Day and how you can get involved to make a difference.  

"As the CEO of the Royal Life Saving Society UK, the leading water safety charity in the UK, I am dedicated to supporting World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, 2023. This global observance is crucial for us to unite with organisations and individuals worldwide in our shared mission of sharing our expertise and knowledge with as many people as possible, giving everyone the potential to save lives and enjoy water safely.

World Drowning Prevention Day serves as a powerful platform to raise awareness about the devastating impact of drowning on communities worldwide. With over 236,000 lives lost each year (this is an underestimate since it does not include lives lost to drowning from transport-related accidents or flood-related drowning deaths), drowning remains a pressing public health issue that demands urgent attention and action. By shining a spotlight on this silent crisis, we aim to garner support and engage stakeholders to address this preventable tragedy effectively.

Through our water safety charity's initiatives and partnerships, we focus on spreading water safety education, promoting drowning prevention strategies, and advocating for policy changes. We firmly believe that education is the key to prevention. By empowering individuals with knowledge about water safety practices, swimming skills, and rescue techniques, we can reduce the risks associated with aquatic activities and protect vulnerable populations, especially children.

Collaborative efforts are central to our approach. We actively seek partnerships with governments, non-profit organisations, businesses, and communities to maximise our impact and implement evidence-based interventions. Together, we can harness the power of collective action and work towards creating safer aquatic environments for everyone.

World Drowning Prevention Day 2023 is a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to prevent drowning incidents and promote water safety globally. Therefore, I ask that you join me and get involved on the day:

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share our posts to spread the word about World Drowning Prevention Day and water safety.

Check out our resources to educate you and your family on staying safe while having fun in the water.

No child should drown.  We provide expert lifesaving education in the UK and Ireland, protecting families from the sudden and devastating impact of drowning. You can donate to help continue our lifesaving work.

The theme for this year is “Do one thing, improve one thing, add one thing”. We can all do something to prevent drowning, wherever we are. This can include raising awareness of the problem, promoting water safety education, volunteering with drowning prevention or lifesaving organisation, and knowing how to keep ourselves and our families safe when we are in, around or on the water.

On World Drowning Prevention Day, we can all make a commitment to keep ourselves, our families, and our friends safe around water."

What will you do? 

RLSS UK Water Safety Education pages

WHO World Drowning Prevention Day