World drowning prevention day

World Drowning Prevention Day is a global advocacy event recognised around the world on 25 July. Established by the World Health Organization (WHO), it highlights the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities, as well as the life-saving solutions that prevent it.

Three people playing on the beach by the sea

Find Your Float is the National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day 2025. This year, we’re encouraging as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill – the science-backed self-rescue technique of floating.

If you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float can save your life. But we all float differently. By practising how to float in a safe and supported environment, you can learn what floating looks and feels like for you, helping you to be better prepared for an emergency situation.

National Water Safety Forum members and partners across the UK will be organising events and activities to help people find their float from 21 to 25 July 2025.

How to get involved as an organisation or leisure provider:

Organise a Find Your Float event at a supervised swimming location
Include a “float” activity or demonstration as part of an existing event
Create a “how to float” video to share on social media and with your networks
Amplify the campaign message across your channels
Let us know what activity you have planned so we can help promote it: info@nationalwatersafety.org.uk

More about World Drowning Prevention Day