STA has welcomed the launch of the new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July.

Backed by more than 130 organisations from across the water safety sector, the new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy sets out a shared vision to help build a future where everyone can be safe in, on and around the water. Alongside the UK strategy, dedicated strategies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also been launched. While the UK strategy provides the overarching framework and guiding principles, each nation has developed its own targeted strategy to address local priorities and challenges, ensuring action can be taken where it is needed most.

The UK strategy is built around four guiding principles: improving the use of data and evidence from WAID, strengthening education and water competency, increasing communication and public awareness, and encouraging collaboration through policy and partnership. Together, these principles provide a common framework for each nation to tailor its own approach while working towards a shared vision.

Across the UK, the strategies place a strong emphasis on strengthening access to water safety education, increasing public awareness through national water safety campaigns, using research and data to better understand and prevent drowning, responding to emerging risks such as climate change, extreme weather and heatwaves, and supporting families and communities affected by drowning. Together, these priorities provide a coordinated approach to helping more people stay safe in, on and around the water.

Dave Candler, CEO of STA, said: “The publication of the new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy, together with the strategies for each of the four nations, provides a clear framework for organisations working across the water safety sector to strengthen collaboration and deliver meaningful action where it is needed most.

“As an educational charity dedicated to preserving human life by the teaching of swimming, lifesaving and survival techniques, we remain committed to supporting the aims of the new strategies through high-quality swimming and water safety education, practical training and collaboration with partners across the sector. By working together, we can help more people enjoy the water safely while reducing the risk of accidental drowning.”

The launch of the new strategies comes at a particularly important time. The UK has experienced three near-successive heatwaves this summer and since May there have been at least 35 drowning deaths, many of them young people. This week’s heartbreaking incident in West Mersea, is a further reminder that the risks associated with open water should never be underestimated.

Every year, accidental drowning is responsible for the loss of around 8,000 years of life across the UK, highlighting the devastating and far-reaching impact these preventable tragedies have on families, friends and communities.

Now in its sixth year, World Drowning Prevention Day 2026, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), is centred on the theme, ‘Unite to Turn the Tide’. The theme closely reflects the new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy, bringing organisations together behind a shared vision to reduce drowning through collaboration, education and coordinated action.

In support, STA is encouraging everyone to take time to understand the risks associated with open water, follow the Water Safety Code, learn the Find Your Float technique and support the #LoveWaterSafely campaign. Understanding the dangers, knowing how to float, alongside learning to swim and developing water competence, could one day save your life.