Every year on July 25, the world observes World Drowning Prevention Day, a crucial event established by the United Nations in April 2021.
This day aims to highlight the global issue of drowning and promote measures to prevent these tragic incidents.
Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death worldwide, claiming an estimated 2.5 million lives over the past decade.
This issue is particularly severe in many low- and middle-income countries, where more than 90 per cent of drowning fatalities occur.
Tragically, nearly one-quarter of these deaths are among children under the age of 15.
Malaysia is significantly affected by drowning incidents.
From 2018 to 2023, there were 1,624 drowning-related deaths attended to by the Malaysia Fire and Rescue Services (Bomba Malaysia).
These figures underscore the urgent need for effective drowning prevention strategies within the country.
The first objective of World Drowning Prevention Day is to educate the public about the risks of drowning and its devastating impact on communities.
Secondly, the day aims to promote life-saving interventions such as swimming lessons, water safety education, and effective supervision near water bodies.
At the same time, it encourages governments, NGOs, and communities to implement and support policies and programs aimed at reducing drowning incidents.
The key message from this day is that children should always be supervised around water.
Everyone, especially children, should learn essential swimming and water survival skills.
Barriers, such as pool fencing, should be used to prevent unsupervised access to water.
Additionally, communities should be equipped with the knowledge and skills for safe rescue and resuscitation techniques.
Drowning prevention is crucial for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDGs 3, 6, 10, 11, and 13.
Despite its significant public health impact, recognition and action to prevent drowning among governments and international organizations have been inadequate.
In response to the high incidence of drowning, a regional drowning prevention assessment was conducted in the WHO Western Pacific and Southeast Asia Regions during 2018-2019.
In Malaysia, significant efforts include hosting the Southeast Asian Nations Drowning Prevention Capacity Building Workshop and Conference 2023 at The Ship Campus, Batu Kawan, Penang.
On June 18 last year, the National Awareness Campaign on Water Safety Activities was launched by Penang HE TYT at R&R Bagam Ajam, Butterworth.
Additionally, World Drowning Prevention Day was observed last year in the nation with the efforts initiated by the Ministry of Housing Development and Local Government with the theme “Anyone Can Drown, No One Should.”
Efforts to prevent drowning must involve continuous cultivation of life safety awareness within the community across all age groups.
Initiatives by Bomba Malaysia aim to foster community champions in drowning prevention.
Building a resilient community against drowning incidents requires more than awareness; it necessitates equipping individuals with knowledge and life skills to respond effectively in emergencies.
Positive attitudes, skills, knowledge, exposure, and determination (ASKED) are crucial for creating a heightened awareness of drowning prevention.
The goal is to encourage the community to turn FEAR (Face Everything And Rise) into proactive measures.
Education plays a paramount role in changing the community’s perception of risks, particularly drowning incidents.
Understanding the unsafe ABC concept and adhering to Precaution, Prevention, and Protection (3P) protocols will reduce the likelihood of drowning cases and keep individuals vigilant.
The success or failure of drowning prevention efforts hinges on balanced collaboration between the government and communities.
Genuine commitment from all parties will positively impact incident outcomes.
Sharing knowledge, lessons learned, and improvement plans fosters a collaborative learning environment, enhancing the capacity of all stakeholders involved in drowning prevention.
World Drowning Prevention Day serves as a poignant reminder that drowning is preventable.
With concerted global efforts and the implementation of effective prevention strategies, many lives can be saved.
Through awareness, education, and community engagement, we can work together to reduce the incidence of drowning and build safer communities for everyone.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
