The Croatian Red Cross marks World Drowning Prevention Day today to draw attention to the worrying statistics and insufficient public awareness of this serious problem. Although Croatia is often perceived as a country of the sea and swimmers, the numbers show a different and devastating reality.
According to data from the Croatian Institute of Public Health, in Croatia there is 2023. In 2018, 68 people died from drowning – 46 men and 22 women. The highest number of deaths was recorded among people over 65 years of age and those between the ages of 40 and 64. At least 769 people lost their lives in the water between 2014 and 2023. This is a continuous and worrying trend that should not be ignored, especially since drowning in public spaces is rarely discussed, and even less systematically addressed.
Swimming is a skill that should not be a privilege.
The situation is particularly alarming when it comes to children. Drowning is the second most common cause of death for children in Croatia, right after traffic accidents. At the same time, between 40 and 70 percent of children in Croatia do not know how to swim. Swimming lessons were removed from the school system in 2010, and responsibility was shifted to parents, local communities and private sports clubs. We are still feeling the consequences of this omission today.
That is why this year the Croatian Red Cross is emphasizing the importance of learning to swim. It is a skill that should not be a privilege, but a basic safety preparation for every child. Knowing how to swim saves lives because it enables timely reaction in dangerous situations on the water, reduces the risk of panic and drowning, and at the same time promotes safety and self-confidence. At a time when a large number of children do not have access to this basic skill, the emphasis on education becomes a key step in preventing tragedies and raising the general level of safety.
Drowning can be prevented!
The Croatian Red Cross is currently running a campaign on its social media platforms that warns of the dangers of drowning in a very direct and emotionally powerful way. The campaign is dramatic, but based on reality and has already attracted public attention. The goal is not to incite fear, but to raise awareness of the fact that drowning happens quickly, silently and most often without witnesses, and that in most cases – it can be prevented!
The Croatian Red Cross has been investing years of effort in educating citizens, training lifeguards and working with children, but without systematic support and political will, it is difficult to make a real breakthrough. The skill of swimming, as well as knowledge of how to behave in the water, must become available to every child. Because every child who cannot swim is a potential child who will drown. Drowning is not an accident. It is a social problem. It must also be talked about.
This year, the Croatian Red Cross is marking World Stroke Prevention Day in Makarska. The event will include training for non-swimmer children, a presentation of rescue equipment and rescue boats, and a first aid workshop for citizens.
