Recent data from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) highlights major disparity in drowning rates amongst children of ethnic minority backgrounds* when compared to children of White or White British ethnicity. To help address the issue, the BSA has launched a research report, entitled, #OurSwimStory which engaged 1,400 participants to identify 11 core themes that contribute to these statistics.
The organisation has now outlined a series of recommendations* based on the data, which were discussed yesterday at a significant event in observance of World Drowning Prevention Day, at Number 10 Downing Street.
The World Drowning Prevention Day event at Number 10 Downing Street brought together key stakeholders and representatives from government bodies, aquatic bodies, lifesaving organisations, community leaders, and global experts in the field. Attendees engaged in discussions on water safety, access to swimming facilities, and strategies to empower all individuals across the UK, including those from diverse backgrounds, to participate in aquatic activities confidently.
The BSA report, “Our Swim Story,” represents the voices and experiences of over 1,400 individuals from Black and Asian communities, offering their views of their water safety knowledge and their own personal experiences. The report also sheds light on the barriers faced by Black and Asian communities when it comes to water safety education, aquatic skills development, and access to swimming facilities. The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions, community engagement, and collaboration to address the disparities in the UK and prevent drowning incidents effectively.
“The Black Swimming Association is honoured to be have participated in the Number 10 event, a day of major significance for water safety and drowning prevention” said Danielle Obe, Chair at the BSA. “It is crucial that we recognise the unequal and inequitable access to water safety knowledge and aquatic skills faced by Black and Asian communities in the UK and that we work together to eliminate these disparities. We know that our actions taken today will have a profound and lasting impact on generations to come.”
The event took place on the third World Drowning Prevention Day, a United Nations observance that serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions. 236,000 people drown worldwide each year, according to World Health Organization estimates, and most of these deaths are preventable through evidence-based and cost-effective solutions, including teaching school-aged children water safety and survival swimming skills, and providing safe places away from water for pre-school children.
In the spirit of collaboration, the BSA invites everyone – media outlets, aquatic and lifesaving organisations, policymakers, and concerned individuals – to join them in raising awareness of Drowning Prevention Day and highlighting the issues identified in the #OurSwimStory report. Together, we can make a real difference and create a future where water safety and swimming are accessible to all. Anyone can drown, no one should.
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