Every day, every hour, promoting water safety remains as important as ever across the world, but with May marking a month dedicated to raising awareness of the cause, Blueguard, the UAE’s leading water safety and first aid organisation, has stepped up to shed light on the stark figures surrounding drowning-related deaths worldwide.
Did you know?
- 1.2 million people die from drowning every year and 60% of these deaths are people under the age of 30 years old
* Reported by World Health Organisation
- Men are twice as likely to drown than women
* Reported by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children aged 5-14 years
* Reported by World Health Organisation
- It can take as little as two inches of water to drown
* Reported by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Drowning is a global public health issue
* Reported by World Health Organisation
Water Safety Month is a time to recognise and appreciate the dedication of lifeguards and water safety teams who ensure our ability to swim with confidence. It serves as an invaluable opportunity to raise awareness among companies, families and individuals, educating them on best practices in risk management, first aid and general pool safety. By focusing on the efforts of these dedicated professionals and promoting essential safety practices, Water Safety Month aims to create a safer environment for all individuals in and around the water.
Here are Blueguard’s top five tips for staying safe in the water:
- Swim with a buddy: Having a companion when you’re in the water increases your safety and provides support in case of emergencies. Remember it’s always better to swim together than alone.
- Stay vigilant: Always be aware of your surroundings and potential risks. Don’t become complacent or overestimate your abilities. Always swim with a lifeguard on duty.
- Learn basic water safety skills: Be knowledgable of how to save yourself from danger and perform water rescues to help others in need
- Learn CPR: Enroll in a CPR and first aid course so you know what to do in an emergency. Understanding proper rescue techniques and knowing how to respond in critical situations can save lives.
- Supervision: Never leave children swimming unsupervised, even if they appear confident in the water.
Founder and Managing Director, Luke Cunningham, said: “Complacency is one of the number one causes of drowning and failed rescue operations. Our five top tips offer some simple rules to help keep everyone safe. At Blueguard, we are committed to keeping water safety at the forefront of people’s minds every single day of the year, because every drowning can be prevented. We provide comprehensive training on all aspects of water safety and first aid to companies across the UAE, as well as offering training to the general public.”
Discussing his own personal journey with water safety, Cunningham added: “This is not just a job for me, it is a true passion. Since I established the company in 2017, I have been proud to make a significant impact in the UAE and can safely say that fatalities have reduced, as Blueguard has trained over 3,000 Lifeguards and over 5,000 First Aiders.
Blueguard works with some of the biggest corporates, schools, hotels, spas, gyms and swimming academies in the region on a mission to keep people safe. The brand believes in spreading awareness to make everyone a lifesaver in their own right, as well as a first aider, by teaching basic tools such as CPR and the efficient use of an AED Machine to potentially save a life.
Furthermore, Blueguard has demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity by being the first company in the region to incorporate QR codes into its curriculum. This innovative approach ensures that non-English speaking lifeguards can effectively comprehend and follow instructions, making comprehensive training accessible to everyone.
For more information, please visit www.blueguardme.com/ or follow www.instagram.com/blueguardme/.
