* Guest blog by Shelley Dalke, manager of national swimming and water safety programs
On May 10th, I travelled to Da Nang, Vietnam, to attend the 2011 World Conference on Drowning Prevention.
It was my first time in Vietnam, a country of calm chaos. I’m amazed that so many travel the roads without incident! The majority of vehicles I saw were motorbikes and scooters, sometimes with three or four people on board.
Forty-nine countries were represented by 400 delegates at the conference, with the goal to ‘Build a global platform to reduce drowning’. Delegates included the world's experts in drowning prevention as well as government officials, all committed to creating a world free of drowning. I valued the opportunity to meet with researchers and practitioners around the world who are engaged in strategies to reduce drownings and who want to share these successes.
The Vietnamese people were very friendly. I discovered they enjoy going to the beach, however they go at 5am to avoid the overwhelming heat. The waterways in Da Nang are an integral part of daily living, which includes fishing and transportation. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in Vietnam.
Child drownings are recognized as a global epidemic that requires a constant focus for reduction. The message we received in Vietnam was clear: we can make a difference in our work to reduce drownings. What can you do to further this effort? Teach Red Cross Swim programs and participate in initiatives such as National Lifejacket Day to make a difference in your community. This year's campaign features a photo contest to promote lifejacket wear.
Let’s make an impact this summer, let’s do our part to provide skills and knowledge that will prevent drownings in Canada.