World Drowning Prevention Day

What is World Drowning Prevention Day? 

The day is a global opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it.   

In April 2021, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly affirmed drowning as a preventable global public health issue and declared 25 July as World Drowning Prevention Day.  

The World Health Organization has a dedicated page for the day which includes assets to support the day. The official hashtag is #DrowningPrevention so please ensure this is used when showing support.  

The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) coordinates UK support for WDPD. 

In 2022 in support of WDPD NWSF launched the Respect The Water campaign and dedicated website which also hosts a number of member campaigns from across the UK which support coordinated efforts to reduce these preventable deaths.  

The campaign is free and available for all members to use, which includes fire and rescue services.  

How can fire services support WDPD 2025? 

To support the day NWSF are asking members and partners to encourage as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill and learn how to float.  

The Find Your Float campaign is encouraging people to practise this science backed self-recue technique, in a safe and supported environment so they are better prepared for an emergency situation inland or at the coast.  

You can support the campaign by: 

• Hosting a Find Your Float event, or build a float element into existing events or activities 
• Creating a “how to float” video 
• Sharing the campaign messages on your channels and with your networks from 21-25 July. 

Resources and further information to support this have been issued by NWSF and can be found on the Respect The Water website. 

In addition to the official #DrowningPrevention hashtag NWSF partners can include #FindYourFloat #RespectTheWater #FloatToLive 

Float to Live video for fire and rescue services

A video has been created by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service communications team which has been made available to fire and rescue services supporting the Float to Live message for WDPD and can be used to support this message as needed. Welsh versions are also available, NFCC and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue extend thanks to the language team at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for supporting the translation. 

Access our Vimeo platform on the links below to download for local use.  

Float to live landscape 

Float to live portrait

Welsh Float to live landscape

Welsh Float to live portrait

NFCC StayWise has collated the available water safety resources which can support fire and rescue services, caregivers and educators to raise awareness of water safety.