This report is the first ILS World Drowning Report, that aims to: define the current global drowning problem, identify the current state of drowning mortality data collection, provide strategies to en

This report is the first ILS World Drowning Report, that aims to: define the current global drowning problem, identify the current state of drowning mortality data collection, provide strategies to enhance and encourage better data collection and provide opportunities for global learning from case profiles of countries with well- developed reporting systems and mechanisms.

The ongoing goal is to improve the quantity and quality of data collection. Most importantly, ILS intends that this report and its successors will assist in the development of intervention strategies to employ scarce resources toward the most effective drowning intervention strategies. The ultimate goal is a meaningful reduction in the incidence of drowning worldwide.

The ILS, through the World Drowning Report Committee, aims to increase the number of countries reporting drowning data in subsequent editions of the World Drowning Report, and to encourage ongoing improvement in the quality and depth of data. The goal is to include, eventually, all of the countries of the world, either by adding missing data that is reliable and readily available, or by encouraging the gathering and reporting of such data.

The ILS World Drowning Report is the culmination of the work of the Committee with the support of Member Organisations who submitted their data. Special mention must go to Peter (Agnew Australia), Barbara Byers and Ed Bean (Canada) and the support of B Chris Brewster and Dr Steve Beerman.

Submitted by Norman Farmer, Chair, Education Committee