Protecting Lives from Drowning Accidents This Summer with "Water Safety Methods"

With the summer vacation approaching and opportunities for leisure at the sea and rivers increasing, attention is being called to drowning accidents. The Japanese Red Cross Society (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsushi Seike; hereinafter referred to as "JRC") is promoting "Water Safety Methods" nationwide to learn the knowledge and skills to protect lives from drowning accidents.

Drowning Accidents in Data

In the summer of Reiwa 7, there were 241 deaths and missing persons due to drowning accidents nationwide, with accidents in the "sea" and "rivers" accounting for over 80% of the total. Regarding activities at the time of the accident, "fishing/gathering fish" was the most frequent at 21.6%, a higher rate than "playing in the water" or "swimming" (according to the National Police Agency's "Overview of Drowning Accidents in the Summer of Reiwa 7"). These results indicate that accidents where people fall into the sea or rivers while clothed are more common than those occurring during water play or swimming in swimwear.

Deaths and Missing Persons by Location (Left) and Activity (Right) in Reiwa 7

*Created by the Japanese Red Cross Society based on "Overview of Drowning Accidents in the Summer of Reiwa 7" (National Police Agency) (r7_kaki_suinan.pdf)

What are "Water Safety Methods"? *Please refer to the reference materials for details.

To prevent drowning accidents, it is essential for everyone to acquire the knowledge and skills to protect their own lives, including understanding dangerous locations and activities, recognizing that accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and knowing how to respond if an accident occurs.

"Water Safety Methods" refers to the knowledge and skills for safely enjoying water, including accident prevention, basic swimming, and self-preservation. It also includes knowledge and skills for rescue and first aid in the event of a drowning accident.

Responding to Falling into Water While Fully Clothed

First, the priority is not to "swim" but to "float." It is crucial to secure breathing while in clothing. Furthermore, removing clothes and shoes in the water is dangerous. Remember to use readily available items that provide buoyancy, such as plastic bottles, to stay afloat.

Responding When You Spot Someone Drowning

It is important to immediately call 119 (or 118 for sea incidents). It is safer to act with multiple people. Without entering the water, hand a floating object like a plastic bottle from the shore to calm the person, and if possible, use a long pole or other tool to pull them to safety on land.

Knowledge and Preparation to Prevent Accidents

It's not just water levels and weather information that need to be checked. Understand the characteristics of each natural environment, such as the sea and rivers, and be aware of dangerous locations and activities. *See Figures 1 and 2.

Information for Interviews and Materials

The JRC has many staff members and volunteers with instructor qualifications in Water Safety Methods who can provide comments, conduct interviews (online possible), and offer materials.

If you are interested in covering a clothed swimming training session, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Red Cross Water Safety Methods Instructor Naoto Uchida (Disaster Management Department, Relief Division, Kanagawa Prefectural Chapter)

Since my university days, I have continued to work as a lifeguard, conducting monitoring and rescue activities at beaches, pools, the Olympics, and various water sports events. I have 17 years of experience as a Water Safety Methods instructor and have provided guidance in over 100 training sessions. Many water-related accidents occur because people are unaware of the dangers or how to respond if an accident happens. Please maintain a humble attitude towards nature, strive to prevent accidents by obtaining weather information in advance, and do not be overconfident. Also, when enjoying time by the water, always wear a life jacket. The survival rate when wearing one is nearly twice as high as when not wearing one. Please own your own life jacket and enjoy time by the water safely.

Available Dates for Clothed Swimming Training Coverage

Training sessions are scheduled to be held in and around Tokyo on the following dates. If you wish to cover a session, please contact the Public Relations Office.

Tokyo

July 8 (Wed) 8:55 AM - Katsushika Ward Higashikanamachi Elementary School

July 9 (Thu) 8:40 AM - Itabashi Ward Itabashi Daiichi Elementary School

July 9 (Thu) 3:20 PM - Itabashi Ward Itabashi Daiichi Elementary School *For teachers

July 11 (Sat) 10:00 AM - Canoe Slalom Center *For parents and children

Kanagawa Prefecture

July 14 (Tue) 8:50 AM - Yokohama City Hiratsudai Elementary School

July 15 (Wed) 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Yokohama City Byobuura Elementary School

July 16 (Thu) 8:45 AM - 10:50 AM - Yokohama City Makado Elementary School

*If you wish to cover a session in prefectures other than the above areas, please contact us.

Available Materials

JRC Official YouTube

We publish videos on how to perform clothed swimming and footage of training sessions.

▼ How to Perform Clothed Swimming

https://youtu.be/ibStzvX6agQ?si=VldxNu4NJRNkMhil

▼ Footage of Training Sessions

https://youtu.be/myo9QMhAiS8?si=vm2d3Fa6k47M6haO

Red Cross Water Safety Methods Training Manuals and Other Data

We provide a summary of "Dangerous Places in Seas and Rivers." We can also provide other materials upon request.

[Figure 1] [Figure 2]

<Reference Materials>: Details of "Water Safety Methods"

Key Points for Floating

If you fall into the water, don't panic; the important thing is to float and wait for help.

- Keep your face and gaze looking straight up. - Relax your body and extend your arms and legs. - Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. - Do not pull your hips back out of fear. - Do not remove your clothes or shoes.

Items that Provide Buoyancy

Knowing what items provide buoyancy can help a drowning person stay afloat longer.

- Plastic bottles - Cooler boxes - Buckets - Soccer balls - Potato chip bags (large, unopened bags are preferable)

Key Points for Rescue

Accurately assess the situation, make sound judgments, and act safely, surely, and promptly.

- Speak to the drowning person and calm them down. - Instruct them to adopt a floating posture and encourage them. - Offer a long pole or your own clothing and slowly pull them in. - Hand them a buoyant object.

Health Checkpoints

Act with an awareness of your own health condition and potential dangers.

- Are you sleep-deprived? - Have you been drinking alcohol, or do you have a hangover? - Are you feeling fatigued all over? - Are you hungry? - Have you just eaten?

Key Points for Wearing a Life Jacket

Wearing a life jacket is essential for protecting precious lives.

The survival rate when wearing one increases by nearly double compared to not wearing one. *See Figure 3.

It helps you float in the water, maintain body temperature, and cushion impacts, so it is important to wear one whenever engaging in activities near water, such as playing, fishing, or boating.

- Use one that fits your size. - Secure the belts, crotch strap, and zippers firmly. - Choose a brightly colored one. - One with a whistle is recommended.

[Figure 3] *From the Red Cross Water Safety Methods Training Manual