Water safety summer campaign launched

Safely enjoying the summer around water is the focus of a new awareness campaign in the Northern Emirates.

National Ambulance, which responded to more than 194 drowning-related incidents in swimming pools and beaches in 2021 throughout the region, is raising awareness of swimming and water safety rules and offering drowning prevention tips to ensure people are prepared to identify, prevent and deal with common summer-related emergencies.

The messages will be distributed on digital platforms and across media channels, offering tips such as watching kids at all times, learning to swim, pairing with someone when swimming, wearing life jackets, never swimming against a rip current and never jumping into rescue someone.

According to National Ambulance, drowning is among the leading causes of unintentional death in the UAE, and most incidents are preventable.

"We must continue raising awareness of swimming and water safety rules and drowning prevention tips that can keep everyone safer in, near and around the water," said Ahmed Al Hajeri, Chief Executive Officer at National Ambulance.

National Ambulance provides urgent pre-hospital care in the Northern Emirates, which can be requested through the dedicated 998 emergency ambulance number and NA 998 mobile application. National Ambulance serves the public across Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah.

National Ambulance raises awareness of water safety and drowning prevention#WamNews https://t.co/HQ5G5UTVWn

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 5, 2022