As World Drowning Prevention Day? approaches on July 25, Stellenbosch Univers?ity? (SU) and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)? are reinforcing their commitment to drowning prevention through enhanced partnerships, research, and education.
The university's Division of Emergency Medicine? has formalised its collaboration with NSRI through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), aimed at advancing research and training in drowning prevention and rescue.
Professor Sa'ad Lahri, head of SU's Division of Emergency Medicine, emphasised the significance of this partnership. "This collaboration bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical rescue services," he said. "It enables us to develop more comprehensive drowning prevention strategies, enhance emergency medical education, and improve our community outreach efforts."
The initiative comes in response to South Africa's alarming drowning statistics, with an average of 1 500 drownings annually, 29% of which involve children under 14.
Key focus areas of the SU-NSRI partnership include:
- Research on drowning occurrence, prevention, and treatment
- Education and practical training for healthcare students and practitioners on aquatic emergencies
- Public awareness campaigns on water safety and drowning risks
"By bringing together medical students, doctors, paramedics, and prehospital professionals, we're creating a holistic approach to drowning prevention and emergency care," Lahri explained. He added that the collaboration provides students with hands-on experience from NSRI rescuers, equipping them with practical skills and situational awareness crucial for managing drowning incidents.
Lahri stressed that the initiative goes beyond teaching swimming or performing rescues. "We're fostering a culture of water safety that permeates every level of our society," he said. "Through this partnership and our focus on interprofessional education, we're cultivating the next generation of healthcare professionals who will approach drowning prevention with a collaborative, community-focused mindset."
As World Drowning Prevention Day is commemorated, SU and NSRI reaffirm their commitment to creating a future where drowning fatalities are obsolete. The partnership and emphasis on interprofessional education are viewed as key steps towards achieving this ambitious goal.
Photo caption: Prof Sa'ad Lahri.??
