Preventing drowning: an implementation guide

This guide provides practical steps to reduce drowning – one of the world’s most preventable, neglected and pressing public health issues. Through evidence-based interventions and strategies it is designed to help drowning-prevention practitioners – from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and researchers to government officials and policy-makers – approach drowning prevention in a strategic, evidence-based and multisectoral way. It also highlights ways to harness public awareness and engagement to strengthen drowning prevention interventions.

At national or community level, drowning can be prevented through implementing six selected interventions and four “cross-cutting” implementation strategies that underpin them. These are: 

Interventions

• Install barriers controlling access to water
• Provide safe places (for example a day-care centre) away from water for preschool children, with capable child care
• Teach school-age children swimming and water safety skills
• Train bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation
• Set and enforce safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations
• Build resilience and manage flood risks and other hazards locally and nationally

Strategies

• Strengthen public awareness of drowning through strategic communications
• Promote multisectoral collaboration
• Develop a national water safety plan
• Advance drowning prevention through data collection and well-designed studies 

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