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WHO releases new guidelines to prevent drowning as 2.5 meter waves expected in Israel

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The World Health Organization released new guidelines to reduce drowning deaths, which claim about 300,000 lives globally each year.
  • The seven-point policy package focuses on infrastructure, rescue capabilities, worker protection, water safety standards, education, child supervision, and flood preparedness.
  • The guidelines were issued as Israel's Meteorological Service warned of rough seas with waves up to 2.5 meters over the weekend.

The World Health Organization has issued a comprehensive seven-point policy package aimed at preventing drowning deaths, a global crisis that claims approximately 300,000 lives annually. The guidelines were released ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day, coinciding with a warning from the Israel Meteorological Service about dangerous seas and waves up to 2.5 meters expected over the weekend.

According to WHO data, drowning disproportionately affects young people, with individuals under 29 accounting for 57% of all victims. Children under five represent nearly a quarter of these deaths. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where exposure to open water is a part of daily life. Deaths occur not only at sea but also in rivers, lakes, wells, swimming pools, and during floods.

The WHO's new policy recommendations cover several key areas: adapting infrastructure near water sources, enhancing rescue and resuscitation services, protecting workers operating near water, establishing safety standards for water transport, promoting swimming and water safety education, creating safe supervision frameworks for children, and preparing for extreme weather events like floods.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized that "every drowning is a tragedy, and most of them can be prevented." He highlighted the need for cross-sectoral cooperation among health, education, transport, welfare, local authorities, and emergency bodies. A central recommendation involves preventing unsupervised access to water for children, urging measures like pool fencing, well coverings, and self-closing gates. The organization also advocates for expanded supervision in areas where parents work near water and calls for widespread swimming instruction and water survival skills training for school-aged children, while stressing that swimming ability does not eliminate the need for adult supervision.

every drowning is a tragedy, and most of them can be prevented.

— Dr. Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO Director-General emphasizing the preventable nature of drowning deaths.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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