Edited by St Francis Chronicle: On 25 July 2025 the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) will join communities across South Africa and around the world to observe World Drowning Prevention Day, a United Nations and World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative dedicated to awareness, remembrance, and action.
This year’s theme is : ‘Your story can save a life’. It is a powerful reminder that drowning prevention is not only about water safety and swimming lessons. It is also about stories shared which can change behaviour, influence communities, and save lives.
This World Drowning Prevention Day, the NSRI urges all South Africans to share their stories, raise awareness, and practice safe behaviour around water.
The NSRI notes that each year drowning claims more than 236 000 lives globally and is one of the top 10 causes of death for children aged 5-14.
“This is not just a statistic; it’s a call to action,” says Mike Vonk, NSRI CEO. “World Drowning Prevention Day reminds us that while anyone can drown, no one should.” The NSRI invites you to share your story. Your story can save a life!
With more than 3000 kilometres of coastline, countless rivers, lakes, and dams, South Africa faces unique water safety challenges. The NSRI, having seen the tragedy of drowning too often expanded its mission from emergency response to proactive education and prevention, to turning experience into prevention.
Since 2006, the NSRI has been transforming lessons from real-life incidents into lifesaving education through initiatives like these:
• Water Safety Education: Reaching more than 5.5 million South Africans with vital skills, including bystander CPR.
• Survival Swimming: teaching children in under-resourced communities how to control their breathing, orient themselves in water, float and swim.
NSRI Survival Swimming Instructor Nkazimulo Nyawose teaches …Tsetsha,17 how to float. Children and teachers at Duduzile Junior Secondary School in Oshabeni, about 30 minutes inland of Port Shepstone on the KZN South Coast, enjoyed their first Survival Swimming lessons in the NSRI Survival Swimming Center. Picture Andrew Ingram / Sea Rescue
• The Pink Rescue Buoy Project: over 1,800 Pink Buoys have been deployed, directly saving at least 221 lives since its launch in 2017.
• The free NSRI SafeTRX App: helping small craft users log trips, track movements, and alert rescuers in an emergency.
In 2024 the NSRI gave 877485 water safety lessons and taught 25 000 survival swimming lessons, empowering communities with knowledge that truly saves lives.
How the public can help
Here’s how you can make a difference:
• Learn to swim – Equip yourself and your children with basic water survival skills.
• Supervise children – Drowning is silent. Always keep a close watch on children.
• Avoid alcohol near water – Stay alert and in control.
• Check conditions before you swim – Always assess water and weather conditions.
• Use proper safety gear – Lifejackets save lives.
• On 25 July South Africans are invited to ‘Go Blue for Drowning Prevention’ Wear blue on 25 July or host a blue-themed event.
• Share your story – Inspire others by telling how water safety has touched your life. Post on social media using #DrowningPrevention, #WorldDrowningPreventionDay, and tag @NSRI.
• Support community efforts – Volunteer, donate, or help spread the word.
Your story can save a life.
NSRI Emergency Number: 087 094 9774
NSRI Survival Swimming Instructor Nkazimulo Nyawose teaches …Tsetsha,17 how to float. Children and teachers at Duduzile Junior Secondary School in Oshabeni, about 30 minutes inland of Port Shepstone on the KZN South Coast, enjoyed their first Survival Swimming lessons in the NSRI Survival Swimming Center. Picture Andrew Ingram / Sea Rescue
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