In a world with many problems, drowning is one of the biggest preventable tragedies.

The scientific community estimates that more than 1 million people die from drowning each year.

The burden of drowning death is greatest in children and young men. Drowning mortality is greatest in low income nations. Drowning death rates are highest in less adaptive populations at risk. Drowning mortality and water related injury burden is present in every community of the globe.

The estimated global impact of drowning deaths and water related injury, on victims and immediate family members, exceeds 10 million people per year.

The global drowning problem is too big, too widespread and too complex to be undertaken by any single government, nation or NGO. Drowning prevention needs an effective international collaboration of national, regional and community leaders with passion and skills to reduce this large human tragedy.

The International Life Saving Federation is the International Federation that leads the collaboration for the reduction of drowning. The ILS network spans the 4 global regions, 100+ national member federations covering more than 80% of the global population. ILS and ILS Member Federations work to reduce drowning by forming alliances, advocacy and by providing education for strategic interventions.

By providing cost effective community education we can reduce drowning in daily living, recreation and natural disasters. Survival swimming should be part of every nation’s defence against aquatic disasters. Every child should have the right to a safe and healthy life, protected from drowning. Every child should have access to the education and inspiration of lifesaving sport.

ILS was formed by the fusion of FIS established in 1910, and WLS, in 1993. 2010 marks the 100th year of international Lifesaving. ILS has a strong presence through national lifesaving organizations. ILS is establishing a presence in high drowning rate regions of the world that do not have lifesaving leadership. Building capacity for self-sustaining lifesaving leadership in communities is an effective drowning prevention strategy. ILS can undertake effective programs with the help of ILS Member Federations, collaborative partners and concerned citizens in communities.

We thank ILS Member Federations for their wisdom, goodwill and membership contributions. We thank and welcome collaborative partners to assist in this urgent humanitarian endeavour. We welcome the concerned communities to join the force for drowning prevention. We need contributions of skills, services and funds to continue this important mission. To donate and contribute please contact us please visit our website at ilsf.org.

Dr. S. B Beerman BSc, MD, CCFP, FCFP President International Life Saving Federation