The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has reiterated the urgent need to treat drowning as a public health crisis that is almost entirely preventable.
NSRI CEO Mike Vonk said days such as World Drowning Prevention Day us that “while anyone can drown, no one should ... This is not only a statistic; it’s a call to action.”
The NSRI said while South Africa’s extensive coastline, rivers, lakes and dams make it particularly vulnerable to water-related fatalities, drowning remains a largely overlooked issue despite its deadly toll, especially among children in under-resourced communities
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning is the third leading cause of death for children aged five to 14 years with more than 90% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO said most of the tragedies happen in rivers, lakes, wells and household water containers.
The UN general assembly officially recognised the crisis in 2021, declaring July 25 World Drowning Prevention Day. This year’s theme, “Your story can save a life”, encourages people to share their personal experiences to raise awareness and influence behaviour.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the NSRI has shifted from primarily being an emergency response organisation to one that prioritises education and prevention.
Since 2006 the NSRI has delivered critical water safety education to more than 5.5-million people, offering practical lessons including bystander CPR and drowning prevention tactics. Its survival swimming programme — which focuses on teaching children in vulnerable communities to breathe, orient, float and swim — has been a game-changer.
In 2024 the NSRI said it had:
- delivered 877,485 water safety lessons;
- taught 25,000 survival swimming lessons; and
- created the Pink Rescue Buoy Project that has seen more than 1,800 pink buoys placed at drowning hotspots since 2017 and saved at least 221 lives.
The NSRI said its free SafeTRX app for small craft users plays a crucial role by helping users log trips and alert rescuers to emergencies.
To reduce the risk of drowning, the NSRI urged the public to take simple but effective steps:
- Learn to swim – equip yourself and your children with survival skills;
- Supervise children – drowning is silent so always keep a close eye;
- Avoid alcohol near water – stay alert and in control;
- Check conditions – assess water and weather before swimming; and
- Use safety gear – lifejackets save lives.
“The 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,” the WHO said.
The NSRI said with the right education, tools and awareness South Africa can turn the tide on drowning.
TimesLIVE
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