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Chamber and committees

World Drowning Prevention Day 2025

  • Submitted by: Clare Adamson, Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Friday, 25 July 2025
  • Submitting member has a registered interest.

  • Motion reference: S6M-18397

That the Parliament marks World Drowning Prevention Day 2025, taking place on 25 July; recognises that this global awareness day, established through UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/273 in April 2021, aims to draw attention to the devastating impact of drowning on families and communities while promoting life-saving measures to prevent such incidents; understands that more than 230,000 people lose their lives to drowning worldwide every year, and that drowning is among the top 10 causes of death for children and young people aged one to 24; further understands that in the UK there are, on average, around 400 accidental drowning fatalities each year, with many incidents occurring in open water such as rivers, lochs, and coastal areas; believes that the 2025 theme, "Your story can save a life – Drowning prevention through shared experiences", highlights the power of personal experiences in raising awareness and encouraging safer behaviour around water; further believes that improved education on water safety, including an understanding of the Water Safety Code and the "Float to Live" technique, can prevent many drowning incidents; welcomes the ongoing efforts of organisations such as Water Safety Scotland, created by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Scottish Water, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and the Royal Life Saving Society UK, in developing free water safety resources and delivering awareness programmes in schools and communities; commends these organisations, along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Darcey Sunshine Foundation, for hosting the fourth annual Water Safety Open Day on 25 July 2025 at Loch Lomond, and encourages individuals and families across Scotland to attend, share their experiences, and learn vital water safety skills.


Supported by: Alasdair Allan, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Bob Doris, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Rona Mackay, John Mason, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Annie Wells, Tess White, Elena Whitham, Beatrice Wishart