Wed Jan 29 03:28:53 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Launches Pilot Program to Combat Drowning Deaths
**Thiruvananthapuram, January 29, 2025** – Kerala is piloting a groundbreaking World Health Organization (WHO) initiative aimed at reducing drowning deaths among children. The “SwimSafe” program, funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will provide survival swimming training to 300-350 children aged 6-14 in two Thiruvananthapuram schools.
Kerala experiences a significant number of drowning deaths annually, with children and adolescents comprising a large percentage of victims. The SwimSafe program, implemented by the George Institute for Global Health (India), addresses this issue by teaching children essential swimming skills, water safety techniques, and basic rescue methods. The program utilizes portable pools to circumvent safety concerns associated with natural water sources.
While the state has aimed to incorporate swimming into the school curriculum since 2018, logistical and financial hurdles had previously prevented its implementation. SwimSafe aims to overcome these challenges through a structured six-week program, with trained instructors maintaining a low student-teacher ratio. The curriculum includes learning to swim 25 meters and float for 30 seconds, along with crucial water safety knowledge. While not all children may reach this skill level within six weeks, the focus is on equipping them with vital survival skills.
The program, trained by experts from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, is slated to begin in early February. Its success could pave the way for wider implementation across the state and serve as a model for other regions battling similar issues.
First Piper 