July 25th marks World Drowning Prevention Day – a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewed commitment to water safety.
Honouring Those We’ve Lost
On this day, we pause to remember the lives lost to drowning in our waters. Each statistic represents a person – someone’s family member, friend, or loved one. Their memory drives our mission to prevent future tragedies through education, rescue services, and community awareness.
As we reflect on these losses, we’re reminded that drowning is preventable. Every life lost to drowning represents a tragedy that could have been avoided with the right knowledge, preparation, and safety measures.
Our Commitment to Prevention
The Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society has been recognising those who safeguard lives on North West waters for almost 200 years. On this World Drowning Prevention Day, we reaffirm our dedication to:
- Education: Teaching water safety to all ages and abilities
- Rescue: Maintaining our life-saving equipment and trained responders
- Awareness: Highlighting water risks in our local communities
- Support: Working with families affected by water-related incidents
Take Action Today
Remember: Drowning is silent, swift, and preventable. Whether you’re by the Mersey, at the coast, or near any body of water:
- Never swim alone
- Know your limits
- Check conditions before entering water
- Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills
- Teach children about water safety
Find Your Float
Find Your Float is the National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day 2025. This year, they’re encouraging as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill – the science-backed self-rescue technique of floating.
If you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float can save your life. But we all float differently. By practising how to float in a safe and supported environment, you can learn what floating looks and feels like for you, helping you to be better prepared for an emergency situation.
How to find your float
By practising how to float at your local swimming pool, lifeguarded beach or supervised open water swimming venue, you’re better prepared for what to do in an emergency.
- Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
- Relax and try to breathe normally
- Move your arms and legs to improve stability
- Don’t worry if your legs sink, we all float differently
- When the initial shock has passed, shout for help or swim to safety if you can.
Visit the Respect The Water website for more information.
The global campaign: Your story can save a life
World Drowning Prevention Day is a global campaign driven by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to catalyse action and generate
attention globally for drowning prevention and improved water safety. For this year’s campaign, the World Health Organization are sharing powerful stories about changemakers from around the world who are helping to save lives and prevent lifelong disabilities caused by drowning.
From teaching communities about water safety to developing national drowning prevention plans, their combined efforts have helped to keep people safe around water.
Get involved by sharing your experience and Join the voices around the world who are helping to raise awareness about drowning prevention.
Drowning is preventable, and is not something for which society should be prepared to adopt a fatalistic attitude. We know it is preventable using solutions that are effective, cost-effective, and scalable. Together, let’s make every 25 July an international opportunity to create change locally, nationally, regionally and globally on this preventable cause of mortality.
Learn more about WHO’s World Drowning Prevention Day 2025 Campaign
