July 25, 2022 – World Drowning Prevention Day

World Drowning Prevention Day will take place on July 25th.

This day is an opportunity to remember the impact of drowning on families and communities, and to propose positive and practical solutions to promote safety in the water – with the aim of reducing the number of drowning deaths worldwide.

This date was proclaimed in April 2021 by the United Nations, with the adoption of the Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention. This resolution officially recognizes the importance of prevention in the fight against drowning and calls on all Member States to take national and local measures in the face of this silent epidemic.

Drowning is now regarded as a major public health issue related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 236,000 drowning deaths occur each year worldwide. Drowning is the cause of 2.5 million deaths over the past decade and it is one of the leading causes of death for children in many countries. 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, particularly affecting children between the ages of 1 and 4.

In France, figures from Santé Publique France (from the 2021 and 2018 NOYADES Survey) confirm that drowning is responsible for more than 1,000 deaths each year, especially during the summer period.

The number of accidental drownings during the months of June, July and August 2021 remains high. Accidental drownings affect all ages and places. These results highlight the need to continue prevention of the risk of drowning at all ages, with an emphasis on the supervision of children and the practice of physical activity, including swimming, considering the state of health of each individual.
Santé Publique France

In the summer of 2021, the two most represented age groups among accidental drownings were children under the age of 6 (26%) and persons aged 65 and over (20%).

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, in accordance with WHO recommendations and alongside other international organizations fighting against drowning and national rescue societies, wishes to recall the necessary measures to avoid drowning.

In this summer period, the Foundation is broadcasting a visual prevention campaign on digital signage networks in Monaco as well as on social networks. This campaign uses the messages “Take care of them” and “Take care of yourselves”, referring respectively to the two age groups most vulnerable to drowning: children aged 6 years or younger and people aged 65 and over.

On Monday 25 July, the Princess Charlene Foundation will be present on the esplanade of Larvotto beach (access 3) and will offer activities and rescue demonstrations, in partnership with the Police Maritime de Monaco, the Académie Monégasque de la Mer – CSAPM and the Terre Neuve 06 association.

The goal of these activities is to raise awareness among the public about the dangers of water and the importance of drowning prevention measures:

Learn to swim, and learn lifesaving techniques if possible
Never let your children out of your sight
Always check children’s flotation devices
Avoid bathing alone
Acknowledge flags and bathing limits / instructions
Acknowledge your physical form
Do not drink alcohol before swimming and while bathing
In case of emergency, immediately call the 112 hotline

In a pool

Try bathing at the same time as your children
Designate an adult in charge of supervision
Always keep an eye on your children
Be particularly vigilant in ‘off-the-ground’ swimming pools devoid of security systems

At sea

Swim in supervised swimming areas
Swim with someone else or by signaling your swimming zone
Swim with an open water swim buoy
Swim parallel to the shore and not out to sea

“Together, we can save lives from drowning and secure a future for our children”

– H.S.H. Princess Charlene