World Drowning Prevention Day 2026: How to Get Involved and Save Lives on 25 July
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World Drowning Prevention Day falls on 25 July each year. It’s one of the most important dates on the water safety calendar. Drowning is one of the leading preventable causes of death globally, yet hundreds of Australians lose their lives to it every year. This is a day to raise awareness, save lives, and remind communities that drowning prevention starts with ordinary people taking action. There’s plenty anyone can do to help.
What Is World Drowning Prevention Day 2026?
World Drowning Prevention Day is an annual awareness event held on 25 July. The United Nations General Assembly created it in April 2021 as part of its first resolution dedicated to drowning prevention, with the World Health Organization taking on the role of global coordinator.
The day has two goals: to honour the memory of those who have drowned, and to encourage governments, emergency services, and everyday people to take practical steps toward reducing drowning as one of the leading preventable causes of death. Its reach is genuinely global. Communities, organisations, and governments participate in the day globally, across dozens of countries.
Water Safety Drowning in Australia: The Numbers
The scale of the problem in Australia puts the day into sharp relief. According to the National Drowning Report 2025, produced by Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia, 357 people drowned in the year to June 2025 which is the highest annual toll since records began, and 27 per cent above the ten-year average.
Open water is where most deaths occur. Coastal environments such as beaches, ocean rock platforms, and similar sites, accounted for 43 per cent of fatalities, while rivers were the most common inland location. Backyard and public pools made up roughly one in ten. At the beach, rip currents are the single biggest hazard, responsible for more than a third of fatal incidents.
Older Australians are most at risk, with people aged 65 and over accounting for one in three drowning deaths. Rates also climb sharply among 15 to 24-year-olds.
Ways to Participate on 25 July
Communities across Australia mark the day by turning blue. On the evening of 25 July, buildings and landmarks light up in blue to carry a simple message: drowning is preventable, and anyone can play a part.
- Illuminate your home, office, or a local venue with blue lighting.
- Wear blue clothing or organise a blue-themed gathering or fundraiser.
- Share a water safety message or personal story on social media using #WorldDrowningPreventionDay and #drowningprevention.
- Support Royal Life Saving or Surf Life Saving through a donation or by volunteering your time.
Practical Steps That Prevent Drowning and Save Lives
The day is ultimately about action. These habits make a real difference around water:
- Swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags, and never alone.
- Keep alcohol out of the equation whenever you’re on or near the water.
- Wear a lifejacket when boating, kayaking, or rock fishing.
- Keep children within arm’s reach near any body of water, and watch them continuously.
- Inspect your pool fence regularly. Ensure the gate should close and self-latch without any help.
- Learn to swim yourself, and enrol the children in your life in swimming lessons.
Water Rescue and First Aid
Knowing how to respond is just as important as knowing how to prevent it. A drowning person is often silent, vertical in the water, and unable to signal for help. They can go under in under a minute.
If you see someone in difficulty, act from the shore where possible. Extend a stick, branch, or paddle, or throw anything buoyant, and pull them toward you. Entering the water should be a last resort as a panicking person can inadvertently push a rescuer under. Call 000 as soon as possible, or have someone make the call while you assist.
Once out of the water, check whether the person is responsive and breathing normally. If they’re not, begin CPR immediately: 30 chest compressions, then 2 rescue breaths, and keep going until they recover or paramedics arrive. Always ensure an ambulance is coming, even if the person appears to have recovered.
Every Action Counts on July 25th: Help Save a Life
World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July is a reminder that drowning is not inevitable. The people best placed to prevent it are not always professionals. They are neighbours, parents, colleagues, and bystanders who know what to look for and what to do. Whether you light your home in blue, share a post using #WorldDrowningPreventionDay, donate to a water safety organisation, or simply book in for swimming lessons or enrol in a first aid course, you are part of a global effort to save lives. Take part on 25 July, and take the message with you long after the day is done.
FAQs
Can businesses and workplaces take part in World Drowning Prevention Day?
Absolutely. Workplaces are encouraged to get involved, whether that’s lighting the office in blue, hosting a morning tea to raise funds for a water safety organisation, or simply sharing campaign resources with staff. Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia both offer free materials suited to workplace use.
Do I need to register to participate on 25 July?
No registration is required. The day is open to everyone including individuals, families, community groups, schools, and businesses alike. You can take part by going blue, sharing on social media, donating, or simply talking to people around you about water safety.
Is World Drowning Prevention Day observed outside Australia?
Yes. Because the day was established by the United Nations, it is marked by communities, governments, and organisations in countries around the world. The global reach is part of what gives it weight; it reflects how universal the problem of drowning is, and how widely shared the commitment to preventing it has become.
