Find Your Float
If you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float can save your life. But everybody floats differently. Find your float for World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July.
Find Your Float is the National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day 2026. For the second year in a row, we’re encouraging as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill – the science-backed self-rescue technique of floating.
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.
World Drowning Prevention Day is a global advocacy event recognised around the world on 25 July. Organised by the World Health Organization (WHO), it highlights the tragic impact of drowning on families and communities, as well as the life-saving solutions that prevent it.
Events and Activities
National Water Safety Forum members and partners across the UK will be organising events and activities to help you find your float from 20 to 25 July 2026. You can also find your float by visiting your nearest supervised swimming location, such as a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach.
Event details coming soonHow to find your float
By practising how to float at your local swimming pool, lifeguarded beach or supervised open water swimming venue, you’re better prepared for what to do in an emergency.
- Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
- Relax and try to breathe normally
- Move your arms and legs to improve stability
- Don’t worry if your legs sink, we all float differently
- When the initial shock has passed, shout for help or swim to safety if you can.
Assets and Resources
Help share the Find Your Float campaign by downloading our free resources. To request the full campaign toolkit, please email info@nationalwatersafety.org.uk.
Further resources
For more information about World Drowning Prevention Day and the World Health Organization’s global campaign for 2026, visit the WHO website.