Have your say on WHO campaigns
Help WHO improve the impact of our public health campaigns by responding to this survey.
Drowning rates are falling -
but not fast enough
Drowning has claimed over 3 million lives in the past decade - mostly children and youth - demanding urgent action now.
This World #DrowningPrevention Day, we’re sharing powerful stories about changemakers from around the world who are helping to save lives and prevent lifelong disabilities caused by drowning.
From teaching communities about water safety to developing national drowning prevention plans, their combined efforts have helped to keep people safe around water.
Your story can save a life
#DrowningPrevention
Every story counts.
Share your experience - whether it’s a creative way that you stay safe around water or a lesson learned from a close call - and help us all prevent drowning and save lives.
Each story about drowning helps us better understand how to prevent it.
By drawing inspiration from these real-life stories to generate action and change, governments, organizations, and communities can train more people in life-saving skills, roll out effective water safety programmes and spread awareness on drowning prevention.
Share your story...
Join the voices around the world who are helping to raise awareness about drowning prevention.
Use the World Drowning Prevention Day Toolkit to help you capture your drowning prevention story.
10 July 2025
World Drowning Prevention Day toolkit
A step-by-step guide on how to share content in support of the campaign
According to the WHO Global status report on drowning prevention 2024, there has been a global decrease in drowning deaths since 2000.
BUT... Over 300,000 lives are still lost each year...
The progress we’ve made in drowning prevention is encouraging, but the truth is that:
Every hour of every day, more than 30 people are still losing their lives to drowning.
That’s over 300,000 people a year.
/social-determinants-of-health-(sdh)/safety-and-mobility-(sam)/drowning-rate2.jpg?sfvrsn=d2852da5_3 "Drowning-rate2")
/social-determinants-of-health-(sdh)/safety-and-mobility-(sam)/drowning-rate.jpg?sfvrsn=b43234e3_3 "Drowning-rate")
/social-determinants-of-health-(sdh)/safety-and-mobility-(sam)/drowning-report-recommendations.jpg?sfvrsn=e164aa31_3 "Drowning-report-recommendations")
Yet, nearly all drowning deaths are preventable…
What can we do to save more lives?
The WHO Global status report on drowning prevention 2024 identifies a number of ways that governments, communities and individuals can help prevent drowning.
What can COUNTRIES do to prevent drowning?
Barriers: Installing barriers in public areas to prevent easy access to water hazards
Supervision: Ensuring lifeguards are present at public swimming pools and beaches
Training: Providing communities with rescue and resuscitation training
Respond: Maintaining active and effective search and rescue operations
Early weather warnings: Delivering free, accessible weather alerts to help communities stay informed about risks
What can YOU do to prevent drowning?
Learn to swim: Equip yourself and your children with swimming skills. Swimming lessons save lives
Supervise children: Always keep a close eye on children near water. Never leave children unattended, even for a moment
No alcohol near water: Avoid drinking alcohol when around water. Stay sharp and vigilant
Be aware of surroundings: Always check weather and water conditions before swimming or boating. Stay informed and safe
Use safety equipment: Ensure lifejackets are available and used correctly when boating. Access to safety gear can make a crucial difference
Resources
This guidance is meant to help inspire and plan activities and events, to mark “World Drowning Prevention Day”, on 25 July. It provides background information...
/social-determinants-of-health-(sdh)/safety-and-mobility-(sam)/boys-in-water.jpg?sfvrsn=3ff2337b_3 "Boys-in-water")