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Royal Life Saving Society - Australia has advised that a push to prevent drowning deaths globally will come before the World Health Assembly in May this year.
The draft resolution encourages countries to develop national programs, with a focus on community, including emergency response planning and linkage with community first aid response and emergency care systems as appropriate.
It also encourages promotion of drowning prevention through community engagement, public awareness, and behavioural change campaigns.
60 nations, led by Bangladesh and Ireland, and including Australia, have championed the proposed resolution, which builds on the first United Nations Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention which was adopted in 2021.
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia Chief Executive Justin Scarr said the draft World Health Assembly resolution builds on long term aspirations to elevate drowning prevention within the global health and development agenda.
Scarr highlights “one of the most important aspects of the proposed resolution is giving the World Health Organization the power to assist nations, on their request, with drowning prevention efforts.
“We know that low- and middle-income countries are the most affected by drowning and many have yet to establish the capacity to respond.
“Requesting countries appoint a national drowning prevention focal point will make an enormous difference to the coordination of drowning prevention efforts.
“While structural change doesn’t sound exciting, on the ground it will empower communities to act on drowning prevention and provide a clear path to find solutions that work for their situation.”
The draft resolution also asks the World Health Organization to encourage research on the context and risk factors, facilitate adaptation of effective drowning prevention and safe rescue and resuscitation measures.
Scarr adds “Multisectoral collaboration, particularly with those groups and agencies yet to engage in drowning prevention, is critical to making an impact on drowning. The draft resolution responds to long term calls to establish a Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention.
"We express our gratitude to colleagues at World Health Organization and United Kingdom charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institute for their commitment to global advocacy."
World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2023
The proposal comes as Australia prepares to host the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in December 2023 in Perth.
The World Conference on Drowning Prevention in December 2023 in Perth will attract drowning prevention experts to shape global strategies and share local successes across research, rescue, education and medical treatments.
The submission process for abstracts is open and can be accessed here
Abstracts must be submitted by 28th February 2023.
Click here for more information on the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.
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2nd December 2022 - Randwick City and Waverley councils launch Float to Survive initiative to reduce national drownings
9th November 2022 - More than 500 children lose their lives to drowning over past two decades
30th September 2022 - Council to offer support to lifeguards after near drowning at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
17th September 2022 - Rising drowning toll prompts AUSTSWIM to emphasise importance of educating new swimming teachers
16th September 2022 - 2021/22 drowning toll the highest in more than 25 years
9th September 2022 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins gains support for adoption of Float to Survive initiative as a national anti-drowning prevention message
5th August 2022 - Swim It Forward 2022 campaign launched by Swim Australia ahead of peak drowning season
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22nd July 2022 - AUSTSWIM to mark World Drowning Prevention Day with discounted courses for new teachers
22nd July 2022 - Key Royal Life Saving research shows drowning risk of dams, ponds and irrigation channels
7th June 2022 - Counting down to World Drowning Prevention Day 2022
22nd April 2022 - Royal Life Saving contributes to new research highlighting global drowning prevention
17th December 2017 - Complacency surrounding Asian drowning epidemic also impacts Australia
