112 Andalucía launches drowning prevention campaign

Water safety ·
Last year, a total of 394 people died in aquatic environments in Spain, some 56 of them in the Andalusian region

Europa Press

Conil de la Frontera

Friday, 14 July 2023, 19:02

The 112 Andalucía emergency service coordination service in the region has launched the Zero Drownings campaign to help prevent accidents in aquatic environments this summer. This was explained by the Andalusian regional minister for the Presidency, Antonio Sanz, at the Fontanilla beach in the Cadiz town of Conil de la Frontera, who reminded the public that precautions must be taken at times and in places where there is no surveillance, which is when most deaths occur.

Last year a total of 394 people died in Spanish aquatic areas, 56 of them in Andalucía. The beach was the scene of the highest number of drowning deaths, followed by rivers and swimming pools, according to the national drowning report published by the Royal Spanish Federation of Rescue and Lifesaving.

112 Andalucía coordinated a total of 304 rescues on beaches, sea, pools and inland waters in 2022, some 29% less than in 2021, when there were 426 rescues, while so far this year there have been 141 rescues, 84 of them on beaches.

Sanz said that he regretted that this year in Andalucía there have been 28 deaths in the aquatic environment out of the 169 recorded so far in Spain.

Awareness campaign

The awareness campaign will be developed through the press, radio and television, as well as social media networks. Its content is based on three criteria: vigilance, which adults must establish with the youngest and most vulnerable in water sports and activities; precaution, which is not incompatible with fun; and the respect that must be maintained on beaches, swimming pools and inland waters.

The regional ministry of the Presidency collaborated with the Royal Spanish Federation of Rescue and Lifeguarding to champion an aquatic safety strategy in the region, underpinned by training courses for Civil Protection volunteers, through the Andalusian Institute of Emergencies and Public Safety (IESPA) and information for the public. On 14 June, the Civil Protection Standing Committee approved the last nine beach safety and rescue plans, which means that one hundred per cent coverage has been achieved in this area.

Likewise, 112 is disseminating an educational guide to prevent drowning and accidents at beaches, swimming pools and bathing areas, a document that is available for download on the website of the regional ministry of the Presidency, as well as through the QR codes on the promotional material that forms part of this Zero Drowning campaign (coolers, beach bags, cushions) which will be distributed in coastal municipalities during July.

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112 Andalucía launches drowning prevention campaign

Water safety · Last year, a total of 394 people died in aquatic environments in Spain, some 56 of them in the Andalusian region

Awareness campaign

Water safety ·
Last year, a total of 394 people died in aquatic environments in Spain, some 56 of them in the Andalusian region