LEN support World Drowning Prevention Day 2022
LEN “fully committed” to being a “driving force” behind learn to swim and drowning awareness in Europe
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death globally for children and young people.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate over 360,000 drown globally each year and they, as well as LEN, are keen to emphasise the important of reducing risks around water.
Because most deaths related to water are preventable.
“Today (25 July) we celebrate the International Drowning Awareness Day,” states LEN President Antonio Silva.
“Aquatics is an activity that all members of society should have access to regardless of their age, gender, disability or ethnicity.
“European Aquatics is fully committed to be a driving force behind a European-wide commitment to support more people to learn to swim and prevent drowning, according to our programme.”
Earlier this year LEN President Silva and Vice-President Josip Varvodić joined Fina President Husain Al Musallam in a tour of European venues.
Water safety was among the main topics of interest covered in their meetings.
“One of the key discussion points has been how to encourage more people to get involved in our sport, how we can use it as a force for good and get more people to love the sport,” revealed LEN VP Varvodić.
“This falls into education in three fields of education – athletes, coaches, officials, and future leaders; para-swimming movement inclusion and ‘Learn to Swim / Swimming Dropout’.
“It’s basically Pillar 2 of our manifesto and ‘Learn to Swim’ and drowning prevention is clearly something we’re very passionate about.
LEN has their own ‘learn to swim programme’ and you can learn more about that in the video below, or by CLICKING HERE.
According to WHO, the following evidence-based, low-cost solutions can reduce risk around water:
- installing barriers controlling access to water
- providing safe places away from water such as crèches for pre-school children with capable childcare
- teaching swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills
- training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation
- setting and enforcing safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations
- improving flood risk management
This year, WHO invite you to “do one thing” to save lives on World #DrowningPrevent Day.