AUSTSWIM was honoured to participate in the inaugural India–Australia Drowning Prevention Technical Exchange, held in Sydney across four days and bringing together approximately two dozen senior representatives from Australia and India.
The exchange, supported by the Centre for Australia–India Relations and facilitated by Royal Life Saving Australia, created a high-level forum for policy makers, researchers, emergency response leaders, community organisations and industry practitioners to examine one of the world’s most significant public health challenges — drowning.
AUSTSWIM was represented by CEO Brad Maunsell, contributing to policy dialogue, sector collaboration discussions and future cooperation planning.
A Shared Global Challenge
The World Health Organization’s 2024 Global Status Report on Drowning identifies more than 300,000 drowning deaths annually worldwide. India carries one of the highest global burdens. Australia, while lower in absolute numbers, continues to record an average of 289 drowning deaths annually — with culturally and linguistically diverse communities disproportionately represented.
The growing number of Indian community members and visitors drowning in Australia reinforces the importance of international collaboration.
As Brad reflected; “Drowning does not recognise borders. It is a preventable tragedy that demands shared responsibility, shared evidence and shared solutions.”
Key Themes emerging from the exchange
Across the four-day program, including technical workshops, policy cast studies, community-level field visits and systems-level operations reviews, several consistent themes emerged:
- Data must drive policy
- High-quality surveillance, non-fatal drowning data, and transparent reporting systems are essential to effective prevention. Without accurate data, interventions risk being reactive rather than strategic
- "If we don't measure it properly, we can't manage it properly. Prevention must be evidence-led, not anecdote-led."
- Cultural context matters
- Prevention strategies must be culturally relevant. Community engagement, faith-based organisations, schools, and local leadership play critical roles in changing behaviours.
- "Prevention written in isolation rarely shifts outcomes. Policy co-designed with community does."
- Multisector collaboration is essential
- Water safety is not owned by one organisation. Government, health, education, sport, emerging services, media and community leaders must operate in alignment.
- "No single organisation can 'solve' drowning prevention. It requires alignment across systems - from national strategy through to local implementation."
- Disaster and climate risk are increasing
- Extreme weather events and flooding are changing drowning risk profiles in both countries. Disaster preparedness and risk communication are emerging as central pillars of prevention strategy
- Skills save lives
- Swim and survival skills remain foundational. Access to structured aquatic education, instructor training and culturally inclusive swim education programs are long-term protective factors.
- "Every child who learns to swim gains more than a skill - they gain opportunity, confidence and safety."
- Field Visits : Policy in practice
- Delegates observed:
- Community-level aquatic programs
- Enforcement of boating safety regulations
- Surf lifesaving operational issues
- Emergency response coordination models
- These site visits reinforced the importance of translating national policy into practical implementation.
- Looking ahead
- This exchange represents the beginning, not the end, of collaboration. A reciprocal delegation is expected to visit India later in 2026 to continue knowledge exchange and partnership development.
- For AUSTSWIM, the event reinforced our commitment to:
- Culturally inclusive swim education
- Instructor quality and workforce development
- Strategic collaboration across the aquatic industry
- Evidence-based advocay
Brad concluded. "International collaboration sharpens our thinking. It challenges assumptions. And it reminds us that preventing drowning is not just a technical issue - it is a human one."
AUSTSWIM thanks Royal Life Saving Australia and the Centre for Australian-India Relations for facilitating this important dialogue and looks forward to continued partnership in reducing drowning, in Australia, in India, and globally.