MESSAGE FROM
Justin Scarr
Chair – Drowning Prevention Commission International Life Saving Federation
CEO – The Royal Life Saving Society Australia

1. You can find more information about World Drowning Prevention Day on the WHO webpage dedicated to World Drowning Prevention Day
• WHO has added the guidance document
• You will also find a new infographic

2. ILS has created a World Drowning Prevention Day webpage. They will add more information shortly and also examples from Members who are marking the day.

3. Please find bellow the World Drowning Prevention Day visual device. You can use this in your promotions, for example put it on your website, use in social media, add to a press release.

4. If you would like to translate this device into your preferred language, then please do. But first check the WHO website as they are creating it in the UN languages, as well as some additional languages. I understand that this will be posted to their website over the weekend.

5. Going Blue for World Drowning Prevention Day. WHO has added the idea from Water Safety Ireland of going blue for World Drowning Prevention Day. The idea is simple. Local organizations work with relevant authorities to have one or several notable landmarks illuminated in blue light during the evening of 25 July. Other ideas are that organizations can color their webpages, social media banners, individual can post statements about going blue. You can find out more about the initiative here: https://watersafety.ie/world-drowning-prevention-day/

I also advise that webinar video is now also available for those who missed it: https://bit.ly/3hwS0FM

WHO Webinar: Global, national and local reflections on World Drowning Prevention Day 2021
Time: When: Jul 28, 2021 12:30 PM Brussels, Auckland 22:30, Sydney 20:30, Bangkok 17:30, New Delhi 16:00, Geneva 12:30, London 11:30, Rio 7:30 New York 6:30, Vancouver 3:30, Honolulu 0:30.
Register in advance for this webinar to get program updates.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SjF3zHc8TYyy6xBzuTGB6Q

Panellists include:
– Dr David Meddings, World Health Organization, Geneva
– Rebecca Bavinger, Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York
– Gemma May, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Poole
– Prof. Olive Kobusingye, Makerere University, Kampala
– Dr Jagnoor Jagnoor, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney
– Dr Caroline Lukaszyk, World Health Organization, Western Pacific Region, Manila
– Dr David Szpilman, Sobrasa Brasil, Rio de Janeiro
– Dr Ana Catarina Queiroga, International Drowning Research Alliance, Porto
– Roger Sweeney, Water Safety Ireland, Galway

Just a reminder to share you plans and activities using the hastag #DrowningPrevention, and if you have something that could be featured in the webinar planned for 28th July please do send it through.

Regards

Justin