Drowning Prevention Week

News - 20 June 2023

Drowning Prevention Week aims to help ensure everybody across the UK and Ireland, has the opportunity to enjoy water safely.
Now in its tenth year, Drowning Prevention Week 2023 is a crucial campaign that has proven to have a real impact. Due to the pandemic, close to 2 million young people missed out on the vital opportunity to swim, leaving a dramatic gap in school swimming and water safety education.

Key statistics (Royal Life Saving Society UK, March 2023)

  • In the UK and Ireland drowning takes an average of 312 lives each year
  • 5 in 6 UK adults (86%) are unfamiliar with the Water Safety Code and it’s aims
  • Only 2% of UK adults can recall The Water Safety Code in full
  • Only a third of UK adults (34%) looked for water safety signs and advice last time they were in, on or around a body of water
  • 1 in 4 UK adults (27%) would enter the water to try and help a stranger who has fallen in, is having difficulty and might drown. A further 1 in 4 (25%) wouldn’t be sure whether to enter the water or not
  • 1 in 4 parents in the UK (27%) haven’t or don’t remember ever discussing water safety with their child(ren)
  • Only 3 in 5 parents of children aged 8+ in the UK (62%) are confident that their child could self-rescue from open water. 

If you ever fall into water make sure you #FloatToLive

  • Fight your instinct to thrash around
  • Lean back, extend your arms and legs
  • Float until you can control your breathing
  • Only then, call for help, swim to safety or continue floating until help arrives

The majority of drowning incidents can be prevented, especially with children. No family should ever have to go through the pain of losing a child through drowning. Make sure everyone is aware of the basic principles of water safety and help keep your families safe this summer.

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