Wappa Falls drownings spark calls for inland water safety training

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-24/inland-waterway-rescue-training-call-after-waterfall-drownings/104919820

New global data from the World Health Organization and Lloyd's Register Foundation reveals that 55% of people worldwide cannot swim unassisted, with drowning claiming 236,000 lives annually as the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths. The study, covering 142 countries, exposes significant disparities: 76% can swim in high-income countries versus 27% in low-income economies, with over 90% of drowning deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. A notable gender gap exists globally - only 32% of women can swim compared to 57% of men. As we mark the first World Drowning Prevention Day, this data underscores the critical need for expanded swimming education programs, particularly in developing regions and among women and girls.

#WaterSafety #PublicHealth #DrowningPrevention
https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/352679/majority-worldwide-cannot-swim-women.aspx

“In addition to educating yourself on #DrowningPrevention, there’s a little-known factor to consider when taking your kids swimming this summer—the color of their bathing suits.”

I love the comparison photos.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/swimsuit-color-water-safety_l_62ab57b6e4b04a617359a61e

I am a 30+ year career #Firefighter also active in #ConsumerAdvocacy and #Leadership in #Healthcare, and #InjuryPrevention.

My #ChurchillFellowship was in #DrowningPrevention , support for non-fatal drowning survivors/family and co-morbidities

For my curiosity sins, I am an #ARC funded #PhD candidate at the Centre for #Disability #Policy and Research and #UniversityOfSydney researching Fire Services and #Disability #Inclusive #DisasterRiskReduction

I live on Boorooberongal Land in the Darug Nation.