Anyone can drown, no one should

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On 25th July every year, World Health Organisation (WHO) observes world drowning prevention day. Tag-line of this day is – anyone can drown, no one should. While, death by drowning is not a recent occurrence, its prevention-day is just three years old. In 2021 United Nations added it to the list of annual health days. About 250,000 individuals die due to drowning every year. A little less than 40,000 of them are from India. Communities that live close to the water bodies are at the greatest risk. However, there is another global disparity in number of drowning instances across the world.

Most instances of death by drowning occur in poorer countries. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells and domestic water storage vessels in low- and middle-income countries. Rural children and adolescents are disproportionately affected. Only 10% of them occur in recreational settings such as swimming pools, and beaches. This is probably because recreational areas are more closely monitored. We can see this disparity even in prevention of drowning postage stamps. Most of them come from recreational settings of high income countries.

Low income country philately on drowning rescue

Many low income and tropical countries, frequently encounter rains, hurricanes and floods. Drowning prevention themes from such countries depict such natural disasters. Lets look at limited drowning rescue philately from the low-middle-income countries.

Postage stamp from Nicaragua 1983, on rescue during Hurricane. Note there are two survivors on a rooftop, who are waiting to be rescued. Drowning mortality in such natural disasters is quite a concern in low income settings.
Another 1983 flood rescue postage stamp from Mozambique. This postage stamp was issued to observe 10 years of Red cross in Mozambique. A rescue boat is shown, approaching a hut to look for survivors
A 2013 postage stamp from Indonesia. This postage stamp shows a boat in the background, and a helicopter rescue in process. Indonesia is frequently affected by natural calamities, including flooding and volcanoes
Drowning prevention in recreational settings

WHO drowning prevention webpage identifies six mechanisms to prevent drowning: 1) Installing barriers near water bodies; 2) Keeping small children away from water bodies; 3) Teaching swimming and water rescue at early age; 4) Training rescue skills to bystanders; 5) Ensuring safe boating and ferrying and 6) Improving flood risk management.

A 1989 postage stamp from Romania. A lifesaver keeps a vigil, while children are engaged in play.

Role of trained bystanders in recreational settings is important. Such settings include beaches, river-fronts, streams, lakes ponds and swimming pools. Postage stamps from various developed countries have depicted such lifesavers. These lifesavers are vigilant bystanders, who keep an eye and rescue in times of need.

Another stamp from the same 1989 set from Romania, shows a recuer pulling out a child from water
A vigilant lifesaver in this 1994 postage stamp from Australia
It is important to impart lifesaving skills to prevent drowning deaths. This 1994 postage stamp from Australia, shows children in process of getting trained
This 2003 postage stamp from Germany on DLRG, a German lifesavers association
In 2007, Australia issued a set-of-four stamps on life saver. Fifth is a 3D stamp, and shows a rescue boat.
A closeup of the four stamps and cancellation, Australia 2007
Water rescue, deeper into the seas

Many island nations are worried about drowning prevention in the deeper seas. Such rescue involves both passenger, as well as cargo.

Sea rescue in process. Postage stamp from Gurnsey issued in 1977 on centenary of St John’s ambulance service.
Christmas island, deep sea search and rescue. Postage stamp issued in the year 1991 on the island police force
From a set of stamps from Guernsey 2002 on Emergency medical aid, shows a sea-rescuer
This stamp in the set has two rescued personnel, brought back in a boat

4 comments

  3. Nice information related to drowning Sir. No one should drown God saves its awasome to see submerged in water difficult to breathe Very good piece of information Sir 👍🏻

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