Princess Charlene Foundation performs realistic Drowning Prevention Demonstration

The Princess Charlene Foundation organized several events for World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July in Monaco. On the agenda were discussions and role-playing demonstrations to raise awareness among young and old about correctly taking action to prevent tragedy. Princess Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer, is always ready to raise life-saving awareness though her Foundation.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that approximately 236,000 people drown globally each year, with most drownings taking place in low and middle-income countries, particularly those with access to aquatic resources such as oceans, dams, and rivers.

In April 2021, the United Nations declared “Global drowning prevention” through a UN General Assembly Resolution to raise awareness and attention to the tragic topic of drowning and the possibilities of lifesaving solutions. It is symbolically held every year in midsummer.

In collaboration with the town hall, the Princess Charlene Foundation and the Principality’s emergency services took over the Quai Albert I, near the Rainier III aquatic stadium and set up stands for the public. Firefighters, the Monaco Red Cross and the Maritime Police welcomed people of all ages to stands to discuss and practice first aid. Chest compression demonstrations (for cardiopulmonary resuscitation) were performed on mannequins.

In the pool, lifeguards from the aquatic stadium performed a hyper-realistic rescue exercise with an actor who pretended to be drowning. The Maritime and Airport Police Division used the LUCAS device for CPR intervention and chest compressions. Some bystanders who were unaware of the demonstration, were momentarily shocked and frightened by the lifelike demonstration, which may have made the important message more memorable and impactful.

Events across the world were organized for World Drowning Prevention Day this year, including in Princess Charlene’s home country of South Africa. Along with the Princess Charlene Foundation, ‘Lifesaving South Africa’ which has been the leading drowning prevention body in South Africa since 1913, joined this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day program with the motto, “DO ONE THING. IMPROVE ONE THING. ADD ONE THING.”