World Drowning Prevention Day

World Drowning Prevention Day is a global advocacy event recognised around the world on 25 July. Established by the World Health Organization (WHO), it highlights the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities, as well as the life-saving solutions that prevent it.

In April 2021, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly affirmed drowning as a preventable global public health issue and declared 25 July as World Drowning Prevention Day. The full resolution can be found here.

Find Your Float

Find Your Float is the National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day 2025. The campaign encourages as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill – the science-backed self-rescue technique of floating.

If you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float can save your life. But we all float differently. By practising how to float in a safe and supported environment, people can learn what floating looks and feels like for them, better preparing them for an emergency situation.

National Water Safety Forum members and partners across the UK will be organising events and activities to help people find their float from 21 to 25 July 2025. 

Get involved

• Organise a Find Your Float event at a supervised swimming location
• Include a “float” activity or demonstration as part of an existing event
• Create a “how to float” video to share on social media and with your networks
• Amplify the campaign message across your channels
• Let us know what activity you have planned so we can help promote it: info@nationalwatersafety.org.uk

We’ve created posters, social media graphics and guidance to support your Find Your Float events and activities – download them from the Respect The Water website.

Events and activities

Here are just some of the events and activities taking place across the UK for World Drowning Prevention Day this year:

• Find Your Float – 22 July – Atlantic College, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
• Brighton Finds Its Float – 25 July – Sea Lanes, Brighton
• Swim Safe – 25 July – Royal Docks, London
• Water Safety Open Day – 25 July – Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, Scotland
• World Drowning Prevention Day Awareness – 25 July – Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall
• Find your Float – 25 July – Llyn Padarn, Eryri, Wales
• Water Safety Event – 25 July – Wellingborough Embankment, Northamptonshire
• Find Your Float – 25 July – Manvers Lake, Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire
• York Water Safety Awareness Event – 25 July – King’s Staith, York
• Swim Safe – 25 July – Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff
• Mass Float at the World Fire Cadet Games – 25 July – Cardiff Bay

The global campaign: Your story can save a life

For World Drowning Prevention Day 2025, the World Health Organization are sharing powerful stories about changemakers from around the world who are helping to save lives and prevent lifelong disabilities caused by drowning.

From teaching communities about water safety to developing national drowning prevention plans, their combined efforts have helped to keep people safe around water. 

Get involved by sharing your experience and Join the voices around the world who are helping to raise awareness about drowning prevention.

Visit the WHO website to find out more.