Education is key to stopping children drowning in Wales
Tragically, 20 young people accidentally drowned between 2021-2023, representing a worrying and growing trend[1]. Younger people in Wales are also more likely to drown than other groups.[2] Additionally, the most recent data from Public Health Wales[3] shows that drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in children across the nation. This highlights the critical need for comprehensive water safety education to equip children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe around water.
In response to these concerns and to help save young lives, Water Safety Wales (WSW) has launched its first set of water safety education resources aimed at early years and primary school children across Wales (ages 3–11).
The launch event took place yesterday at Cardiff Metropolitan University Cyncoed Campus, where resources were introduced to a Year 4 class from St Philip Evans R.C. Primary School. The event also featured key speakers including representatives from the WSW Education Subgroup.
The education resources reinforce four simple lifesaving tips - The Water Safety Code. Parents, teachers and young people should remind themselves of this code, especially when enjoying open water in the hotter months of the year.
Stop and think: Is it a safe place to swim? Are there hazards beneath the water? Are there hidden currents or fast-flowing water? How deep is it and can you get out easily?
Stay together: Always go with someone else
Float: If you get into trouble in the water, float to live until you feel calm
Call 999: If you see someone else in trouble in the water
One young person who knows the importance of water safety education is Theo Pulman, from Burry Port, who was just 12 when he managed to help a nine-year-old who got into trouble in the water. Now 15, Theo has discussed how his water safety education helped save someone’s life.
After witnessing another child struggling in the water, he acted quickly, instructing him to “lay on his back ... stay calm, breathe, don’t panic and float to live.”
The Float to Live safety messaging Theo used will be included in the WSW’s newly launched resources, covering the first three Progression Steps of the Curriculum for Wales and are designed for children from early years to age 11. These resources include presentations, videos, and other interactive materials, all of which are fully bilingual and accessible for free via the Hwb platform. Developed in collaboration with the Welsh Government and the Department for Education, these resources are intended to be integrated into the Curriculum for Wales.
Water Safety Wales encourages headteachers across Wales to adopt these vital resources in their schools. Parents are also urged to advocate for the use of these resources to ensure their children receive essential water safety education. The resources can be accessed on the Curriculum for Wales Hwb platform.
Sarah Wathan, Headteacher of St Philip Evans RC Primary School, said: "We are excited to be the first school to implement these resources. Our students' safety is our top priority, and these materials will play a vital role in their education."
Sophie Dearborn Bloom from Dŵr Cymru, said: "Delivering these sessions has been a really rewarding experience. It was fantastic to see the children so engaged and really connecting with the water safety messages – a clear sign of the initiatives impact."
The new education resources have been developed thanks to funding from the Welsh Government under their commitment to support Water Safety Wales deliver the Welsh Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026.
Water Safety Wales acknowledges that classroom water safety education needs to accompany school swimming programs. Both classroom and school swimming lessons play an important part in drowning prevention.
Swim Wales, in collaboration with the Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills, is preparing to launch a new School Swimming Strategy. This important initiative aims to ensure that every child in Wales has the opportunity to learn to swim, access high-quality water safety education, and receive guidance on safe practices in and around water. Recognising swimming as a vital life skill, the strategy seeks to equip Welsh children with the confidence and skills they need to enjoy the water safely, supporting their health, wellbeing, and long-term safety.
Hanna Guise, Swim Wales’ Learn to Swim Manager and Chair of the WSW Education Subgroup, Swim Wales, said: "Being water safe and competent is essential for all children. These resources will help instil these important skills from a young age."
Education is key to stopping children drowning in Wales
Tragically, 20 young people accidentally drowned between 2021-2023, representing a worrying and growing trend[1]. Younger people in Wales are also more likely to drown than other groups.[2] Additionally, the most recent data from Public Health Wales[3] shows that drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in children across the nation. This highlights the critical need for comprehensive water safety education to equip children with the knowledge and skills to stay safe around water.
In response to these concerns and to help save young lives, Water Safety Wales (WSW) has launched its first set of water safety education resources aimed at early years and primary school children across Wales (ages 3–11).
The launch event took place yesterday at Cardiff Metropolitan University Cyncoed Campus, where resources were introduced to a Year 4 class from St Philip Evans R.C. Primary School. The event also featured key speakers including representatives from the WSW Education Subgroup.
The education resources reinforce four simple lifesaving tips - The Water Safety Code. Parents, teachers and young people should remind themselves of this code, especially when enjoying open water in the hotter months of the year.
One young person who knows the importance of water safety education is Theo Pulman, from Burry Port, who was just 12 when he managed to help a nine-year-old who got into trouble in the water. Now 15, Theo has discussed how his water safety education helped save someone’s life.
After witnessing another child struggling in the water, he acted quickly, instructing him to “lay on his back ... stay calm, breathe, don’t panic and float to live.”
The Float to Live safety messaging Theo used will be included in the WSW’s newly launched resources, covering the first three Progression Steps of the Curriculum for Wales and are designed for children from early years to age 11. These resources include presentations, videos, and other interactive materials, all of which are fully bilingual and accessible for free via the Hwb platform. Developed in collaboration with the Welsh Government and the Department for Education, these resources are intended to be integrated into the Curriculum for Wales.
Water Safety Wales encourages headteachers across Wales to adopt these vital resources in their schools. Parents are also urged to advocate for the use of these resources to ensure their children receive essential water safety education. The resources can be accessed on the Curriculum for Wales Hwb platform.
Sarah Wathan, Headteacher of St Philip Evans RC Primary School, said: "We are excited to be the first school to implement these resources. Our students' safety is our top priority, and these materials will play a vital role in their education."
Sophie Dearborn Bloom from Dŵr Cymru, said: "Delivering these sessions has been a really rewarding experience. It was fantastic to see the children so engaged and really connecting with the water safety messages – a clear sign of the initiatives impact."
The new education resources have been developed thanks to funding from the Welsh Government under their commitment to support Water Safety Wales deliver the Welsh Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026.
Water Safety Wales acknowledges that classroom water safety education needs to accompany school swimming programs. Both classroom and school swimming lessons play an important part in drowning prevention.
Swim Wales, in collaboration with the Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills, is preparing to launch a new School Swimming Strategy. This important initiative aims to ensure that every child in Wales has the opportunity to learn to swim, access high-quality water safety education, and receive guidance on safe practices in and around water. Recognising swimming as a vital life skill, the strategy seeks to equip Welsh children with the confidence and skills they need to enjoy the water safely, supporting their health, wellbeing, and long-term safety.
Hanna Guise, Swim Wales’ Learn to Swim Manager and Chair of the WSW Education Subgroup, Swim Wales, said: "Being water safe and competent is essential for all children. These resources will help instil these important skills from a young age."