GEORGE TOWN – The first-ever World Drowning Prevention Day is being observed today after the United Nations’ historic resolution on global drowning prevention was adopted on April 28 this year.
Themed “Anyone can drown, no one should”, the inaugural global advocacy event is aimed to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on the victim’s families and the surrounding communities.
An estimated 236,000 lives are lost to drowning every year around the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). This amounts to 650 every day and 26 every hour.
It was estimated in 2017 that Malaysia suffered 700 drowning cases yearly. In 2019, the number dropped to 500 annually.
Drowning is among the 10 leading causes of death for children and youth aged 1 to 24, said WHO.
More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells and domestic water storage vessels in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.
According to Life Saving Society Malaysia president Geh Thuan Tek, efforts had been made by the previous government to reduce drowning cases in Malaysia, with guidelines drawn up to educate students.
“Former education minister Maszlee Malik saw that it was vital to teach children water safety and life-saving techniques,” he told The Vibes.
“Two thousand to 3,000 students in Putrajaya managed to join the programme after the Education Ministry pioneered it in late 2018,” said Geh, who is also an International Life Saving Federation (ILS) Asia-Pacific board member.
Meanwhile, guidelines on the management and maintenance of swimming pools have also been drawn up. They provide uniform guidelines for local authorities and pool owners to ensure that all swimming pools are clean, safe and healthy for all users and staff.
Last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines for Water Recreational Activities was published. These regulations help pool owners identify and prevent risks, and provide safety and health awareness for water-based recreational activities.
Geh hopes that this initiative will continue to be at the forefront of the national water safety agenda to prevent drowning incidents after the Covid-19 pandemic comes under control.
In a statement, ILS president Graham Ford said every drowning is preventable.
“It is heartbreaking to consider that drowning has caused more than 2.5 million preventable deaths in the last decade. Every region, every nation, and every community is impacted by drowning,” he said.
“Simple solutions, like teaching swimming and water safety skills, wearing lifejackets or setting up and support life-saving rescue services can be implemented. Partnership is essential; together we can all take action to end drowning.”
According to WHO, over half of all drowning cases are among those aged under 30.
On this first World Drowning Prevention Day, regulators are highlighting the need to implement proven measures such as installing barriers controlling access to water sources and providing safe places away from water, such as crèches, for preschools with capable childcare.
They are also promoting the teaching of survival swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills; training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation; setting and enforcing safe boating; having proper shipping and ferry regulations; and improving flood risk management. – The Vibes, July 25, 2021
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