The theme for World Drowning Prevention Day 2025 was “Your story can save a life”. This theme encouraged individuals, families, and communities to share their experiences related to drowning prevention, promoting awareness and inspiring action.
Ha Long Bay tragic incident
On 19 July 2025, the tourist boat Wonder Sea capsized due to high winds during an abrupt thunderstorm in Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam, killing 39 people, while 10 people were rescued with non-fatal injuries. The incident took place during a tour, and a rescue operation began after contact with the ship was lost.
I teach swimming for a local home for girls in Da Nang Vietnam and this incident focused our training for the World Drowning Prevention Day. We have a Swim and Survival Programme that we use for our sessions, and we emphasised the wearing of buoyancy jackets even if you can swim for our training session this day. The following short videos show some of the skills we teach.
Garry Seghers
IFSTA Vice-President
