Education Saves Lives
The first quarter of 2024 has seen the tragic deaths by the drowning of Latoya Temilton, Sibusiso Sibiya, and Siphamandla Peterson during school excursions. These incidents highlight that drowning is avoidable with several interventions, especially at the school level.
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that approximately 236,000 people drown globally each year, with most drownings taking place in low and middle-income countries, particularly those with access to aquatic resources such as oceans, dams, and rivers.
According to WHO statistics, Southern Africa is one of the regions with the highest risk. South African mortality statistics estimate approximately 1,500 people die from drowning annually, averaging four people daily. Two-thirds (66%) of all drownings in South Africa are under the age of 30 years, with males being more than twice at risk than females. Nearly 500 deaths, or one-third of the reported deaths, occur under the age of 10 years. In the age group of 5 to 12 years, drowning is the sixth highest cause of unnatural deaths globally according to WHO. These statistics, however, do not account for those who have drowned due to floods or violence.
In April 2021, the United Nations declared through the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/273 “Global drowning prevention” that the world will raise awareness and attention to the tragic topic of drowning and the possibilities of lifesaving solutions, with the declaration of World Drowning Prevention Day to be held annually on 25 July. The WHO has released a list of focus areas for countries and communities to reduce the risk of drownings:
- Installing barriers controlling access to water
- Providing safe places for pre-school children away from water 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
In South Africa, drownings amongst the youth can be mainly attributed to unsupervised access to water sources for both recreation and other purposes. This, combined with the use of alcohol or banned substances by both the youth and those supervising them, and the lack of swimming skills, contributes to the high number of deaths by drowning annually. Lifesaving South Africa, which has been the leading drowning prevention body in South Africa since 1913, has joined this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day programme with the motto: DO ONE THING. IMPROVE ONE THING. ADD ONE THING to the actions to prevent drowning.
. 
Do one thing. Improve one thing. Add one thing.
Education and training in drowning prevention activities are of paramount importance, and Lifesaving South Africa invites all to access the free online eLearning hub on drowning prevention at https://watersmart.dhllifesaving.com/library/home.
South Africa, with its 2,800 km of coastline, has over 290 rivers and dams, lakes, ponds, and hundreds of unsupervised pools, with vast communities choosing to live close to these water resources not only for recreation but also for sustainable livelihoods. These communities are often at risk of drowning due to poor municipal planning, which has allowed homestead developments within historical flood plains with communities often having to cross flowing rivers to access shops, work, or school.
Another growing concern is climate change, which affects the water resources in South Africa. We see water stored in containers, basins, and baths due to drought and water restrictions. The impact of flooding goes hand in hand with areas of drought. Disaster planning has become a critical component in the fight against drowning. Adequate planning is needed in the management of South Africa’s failing storm drainage systems and community planning to reduce the impact of climate on these communities.
Much can and is being done by municipalities and the government; however, these measures will be more effective in conjunction with appropriate policies and protocols, which in South Africa are currently very limited and fractured around the safe utilization of aquatic resources.
For further information, please contact Lifesaving South Africa at (031) 312-9251 (office hours), visit www.lifesaving.co.za, or follow Lifesaving South Africa on social media @LifesavingSouthAfrica.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Lifesaving South Africa: Dhaya Sewduth
President, Lifesaving SA
Email: president@lifesaving.co.za
Tel: +27 82 990 5942
For interview requests, please contact: Mzi Mayedwa – Director of Drowning Prevention at 084 023 6060
Dhaya Sewduth – President at 082 990 5942
About Lifesaving South Africa:
Lifesaving South Africa (LSA) is the National Association for Lifesaving and Lifesaving in Sport in South Africa. In these roles, LSA leads, supports, and partners with national and international organizations committed to drowning prevention, water safety supervision, emergency response, and sport.
- LSA was established in South Africa in 1913. LSA is a member of the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS), Commonwealth Lifesaving, and Royal Lifesaving Society.
- LSA has over 7,000 members, with 4,000 performing voluntary lifeguard duties operating at 65 coastal (Surf) clubs & 22 inland (Pool). Lifesaving has over 2,500 Nippers (aged 8-14 years old).
- Approximately 133,408 rescues have been performed to date, and over 5,000 (per annum) first aid cases have been attended to by the voluntary lifeguards.
- LSA trains approximately 2,000 lifeguards per year and has reached over 400 communities through our water safety education programs.
- LSA is a SASCOC-affiliated sporting federation.
- LSA won sports federation of the year in 2017 at the SA Sports Awards and is the only sport that requires community service to compete in the sport.
- Lifesaving voluntary lifeguards contributed 125,761 duty hours in 2019/2020.
- Based on Municipality Sunday rate per hour, this equates to R24,322,177 added value to local communities, sporting industries, and tourism through voluntary hours given.
