In recognition of World Drowning Prevention Day, the Saint Lucia Lifesaving Association (SLLSA) is urging residents and authorities alike to take meaningful, immediate steps to prevent drowning.
This year’s theme for the day, Anyone Can Drown, No One Should, brings attention to a growing yet preventable public health threat.
According to a press release from SLLSA, Drowning claims over 230,000 lives globally each year, with children and young people being the most vulnerable. In Saint Lucia, an island nation, the risk is further amplified by limited access to trained lifeguards and formal water safety education.
SLLSA President Germain Anthony reinforced the message that “water does not discriminate and neither should our efforts”. He stressed that drowning can happen silently and in mere seconds, making it essential for everyone from families to policymakers to take responsibility.
For over three decades, SLLSA has worked to strengthen the country’s water safety framework through initiatives like lifeguard certification, youth-focused education campaigns and partnerships with the tourism sector. The organisation also supports mass crowd events with trained supervision to prevent incidents near water.
Still, the association warns that progress remains slow. As a voluntary organisation, SLLSA continues to appeal to key ministries for sustained support. It emphasises that without adequate resources, Saint Lucia’s ability to raise awareness and implement lifesaving measures remains limited.
SLLSA is calling on every Saint Lucian to take proactive steps by learning to swim, learning CPR, supervising children near water, using lifejackets, respecting warning signs near water bodies, and avoiding risky behaviours such as consuming alcohol during aquatic activities.
It urges government to provide resources that allow SLLSA to fulfil its mandate, ensure access to swimming facilities in or near densely populated areas, respect the critical role lifeguards play in preventing fatalities and initiate policy and legislative action that prioritises water safety across the nation.
“With informed action, drowning is preventable,” the association says.
