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Life Saving Victoria urges unity for safer waters on World Drowning Prevention Day, raising awareness and saving lives

Life Saving Victoria is joining forces with partners on World Drowning Prevention Day to raise awareness about drowning risks, with 52 lives lost in Victoria last year and rising summer fatalities.

By news@gippsland - 25th July 2025 - Back to News

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is teaming up with the aquatic industry, community groups and government leaders to put water safety front of mind on World Drowning Prevention Day. Held every year on July 25, World Drowning Prevention Day is an initiative of the World Health Organization to highlight the tragic, wide-ranging impacts of drowning incidents, and offer solutions.

World Drowning Prevention Day, held annually on July 25, is a WHO initiative highlighting drowning global impact and promoting practical solutions to prevent these tragic incidents

Global drowning crisis

More than 300,000 people have lost their lives to drowning across the globe every year, with more than 90 per cent of drowning deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. Children under five years old make up nearly a quarter of all drowning deaths.

In Victoria, 52 people lost their lives to drowning in the last financial year, representing a 6% increase compared to the five-year average. Of further concern is that 23 of the deaths occurred over the summer months, which is a 10% increase on the five-year average.

Promoting water safety

Events will run on the day and the following week to focus attention on water safety, including:

Aquatic facility operator Belgravia Leisure will have more than 60 centres across the state running a range of local activities
Melbourne Sikh community will host an event at the Officer Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar featuring presentations and panel discussions aimed at finding new water safety solutions
LSV representatives are taking part in the National Water Safety Summit, aimed at sharing knowledge from across the country to strengthen water safety efforts
City of Melbourne will light up major landmarks blue to mark the day on Friday and raise awareness of drowning

Life Saving Victoria Head of Research, Evaluation and Insights Dr Bernadette Matthews, thanked those taking part in the day, and encouraged the community to get on board. "The core message of the day is that anyone can drown, but no one should. We have a responsibility to each other, our loved ones and ourselves to do what we can to prevent these tragic incidents," Dr. Matthews said.