The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends six measures that are proven to prevent drowning: safe, supervised places for young children, barriers around water, swimming and water safety skills for school-age children, trained bystanders, safe boating and ferry rules, and better flood management. No single measure is enough on its own, so the best protection layers several.
This guide is general information, not a substitute for training. In an emergency, call 911.
How many drownings can be prevented?
Drowning is a leading killer of children worldwide. The WHO says about 300,000 people a year die from drowning, and that drowning is the fourth leading cause of death for ages 1 to 4 and the third for ages 5 to 14 (WHO drowning fact sheet, 1 May 2026). The WHO Western Pacific Region, which includes the Philippines, has about 84,000 drowning deaths a year, around 30% of the world total, and drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 14 there (WHO Western Pacific media release, 13 December 2024).
The same release says drowning rates in the Region have fallen 38% since 2000. The Philippines is the exception: the Daily Tribune, reporting on a WHO regional report, quotes it as saying "Death rates due to drowning decreased in all countries in the Region except for one, the Philippines" (The Tribune, 19 October 2024). At a Manila press conference on 17 October 2024, WHO's Dr Hiromasa Okayasu said there was "a slight increase in drowning deaths in this country" (GMA News). For the Philippine figures and why they differ, see Drowning in the Philippines: the numbers.
What are the six WHO-recommended ways to prevent drowning?
These are the six interventions in the WHO's guide Preventing drowning: an implementation guide (2017), as listed on the WHO South-East Asia drowning prevention page, with what each can look like in Philippine communities.
| WHO measure | What it means | Philippine examples |
|---|---|---|
| Provide safe places away from water for preschool children, with capable childcare | Supervised day-care or a crèche so toddlers are not left near water while adults work | We did not find a documented Philippine drowning-prevention day-care programme. A systematic review of day care for children under 6 in low- and middle-income countries found that day care combined with parent education and playpens likely reduces drowning deaths where the burden is high (as summarised in search results; we did not read the full paper) |
| Install barriers controlling access to water | Covers on wells, fences, doorway barriers, playpens | A DOH-led pilot in northern Philippines (2009-2010) used porch barriers, backyard fences, playpens and well covers (WHO Western Pacific, 2012; Guevarra, Franklin and Peden, IJERPH, 2021) |
| Teach school-age children swimming and water safety skills | Taught in schools or community programs, with trained instructors | The Philippine Life Saving Society (PLSS) runs swimming, lifesaving and lifeguard courses (Guevarra, Franklin and Peden, 2021) |
| Train bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation | Family and community members who know basic rescue and CPR | The DOH pilot included first aid and CPR training for officials, health workers and volunteers (WHO Western Pacific, 2012; Guevarra, Franklin and Peden, 2021) |
| Build resilience and manage flood risks and other hazards | Early warnings, evacuation planning, land use | See Typhoons, storm surge and flash floods |
| Set and enforce safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations | Licensed vessels, life jackets, no overloading | MARINA's Circular 2009-25 covers approval of life jackets for domestic shipping and extra child and infant life jackets on passenger ships. The Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas said it would run pre-departure inspections on all passenger vessels during Holy Week 2025 (Cebu Daily News, 13 April 2025) |
Do barriers really work?
Barriers are the first measure on the WHO's list because they stop a child reaching water in the first place. The WHO fact sheet recommends covering wells, using doorway barriers and playpens, and fencing swimming pools (WHO, 2026).
In the Philippines the risk is often close to home. Research on child drowning names open wells, creeks and open drains, walkways over water and large water containers as hazards, especially in rural and low-income households (Guevarra et al., Children, 2021). The northern Philippines pilot covered too few households to show a measurable drop in drownings, but awareness of drowning risk rose, families accepted the barriers and they appeared to be holding up. The WHO stressed that "constant supervision remains necessary" (WHO Western Pacific, 2012). A conference abstract describes a Safe Kids Philippines project that installed permanent barriers and donated warning signs at Cutcut Creek, a waterway the community regarded as dangerous; it reports no drowning figures from before or after (Injury Prevention, 2012 abstract; the abstract page was blocked to us, so this is from search-result text).
Practical steps: cover or fence any open well, keep gates to creeks and canals closed, empty pails and basins when not in use, and put a lid on large water drums. More on this at home is in Kids and water safety.
Why is supervision so important?
Lack of constant adult supervision is a repeated risk factor in Philippine child drowning research (Guevarra et al., 2021). The WHO says risk increases when children interact with water outside active adult supervision (WHO, 2026). A Cebu Daily News report quoting the Philippine Life Saving Society (PLSS) says that, in research the group cited, children who drowned were about two metres from an adult (Cebu Daily News). We could not open the original study or confirm the report's date, so treat this as reported, not verified.
The Department of Health (DOH) advises close supervision of children, wearing of flotation devices, and training in first aid, basic life support and basic survival swimming for children and adults, as reported by Journal News, 3 April 2024. The same report says the DOH created a National Framework of Action on Drowning Prevention as the first major step towards eliminating drowning. We could not find the framework on a DOH page.
Does learning to swim prevent drowning?
It helps, but it is one layer. The WHO recommends teaching school-age children swimming and water safety skills, with "safety-tested curricula" and safe student-to-instructor ratios (WHO, 2026). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says children can begin swim lessons after their first birthday, depending on readiness, and that lessons work alongside supervision, barriers, life jackets and CPR training (AAP HealthyChildren.org, updated 18 May 2026).
In the Philippines, a presentation on the PLSS partnership with Royal Life Saving Society Australasia lists teaching children to "Swim & Survive" among the PLSS goals and says volunteers were trained in that course (presentation, University of Southern Queensland repository; this is a historical slide deck, seen only in search-result text). We found no confirmed national school swimming requirement. Read more in Learning to swim in the Philippines.
Do life jackets prevent drowning?
The AAP recommends life jackets for children near lakes and rivers, and at pools for children without strong swimming skills, and says inflatable toys and floaties are not safety devices because they can deflate (AAP HealthyChildren.org, 2026). The AAP refers to US Coast Guard approval. In the Philippines, MARINA Circular 2009-25 says life jackets used on domestic ships must be verified by MARINA and carry a MARINA hologram, with child and infant jackets marked as such (MARINA Circular 2009-25, as published by Lawyerly). That circular covers ship equipment; we did not find a Philippine approval mark for life jackets that families buy for recreational use, so check with the seller or MARINA.
On boats, the WHO says safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations are vital (WHO, 2026). The Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas has urged people not to ride unregistered motorbancas, saying they are not safe (Cebu Daily News; undated report, seen in search-result text only). MARINA has also called on operators to keep life vests accessible on board (MARINA, 6 June 2026). Before you board: check that there are enough life jackets for everyone, do not board an overloaded boat, and check the weather.
What about alcohol?
The WHO Western Pacific office advises avoiding alcohol near water so you stay alert in an emergency (WHO Western Pacific media release, 13 December 2024). At the Manila briefing in October 2024, Dr Okayasu said most adult drowning deaths in the country were linked to alcohol (GMA News, as reported). This is a spoken remark reported by the press, not a published rate.
Who can help communities prevent drowning?
Philippine research shows that agencies often work in separate programs and are unaware of one another's efforts. Researchers recommend a national multisector plan, a national drowning surveillance system and a dedicated budget (Guevarra, Franklin and Peden, IJERPH, 2021). At the same briefing, Dr Okayasu said WHO was working with the DOH and partners on a multisector drowning prevention plan for the Philippines (GMA News, 17 October 2024). Some coastal communities already use lifesaver guardhouses, warning signs and night-time shore monitoring by villagers (Guevarra et al., 2021).
A prevention checklist
For families
- Stay within touch of young children in or near water. No phone.
- Cover wells, fence or close off creeks and drains, empty pails and basins.
- Put a properly fitted life jacket on children and non-swimmers in open water and on boats.
- Learn CPR and basic rescue. The PLSS runs swimming, lifesaving and lifeguard courses; contact it for current dates and fees (PLSS profile, International Life Saving Federation).
- Do not drink alcohol and swim or boat.
For resorts, schools and barangays
- Staff lifeguards and keep rescue equipment visible. For rescue gear, see our Safety Buoys.
- Post warning signs at known hazards.
- Ask who can swim before a group outing, and assign adults to watch children.
More: Recognising drowning and getting help, Sun, heat and hydration.
Related RESTUBE products
Sources
- World Health Organization. Drowning fact sheet, 1 May 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning
- World Health Organization. Preventing drowning: an implementation guide, 2017. https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/preventing-drowning-an-implementation-guide ; list of six interventions: https://www.who.int/southeastasia/activities/strengthening-drowning-prevention
- WHO Western Pacific. Drowning deaths decline in the Western Pacific, but urgent action is still needed (media release, Manila, 13 December 2024). https://www.who.int/samoa/news/detail-wpro/13-12-2024-drowning-deaths-decline-in-the-western-pacific--but-urgent-action-is-still-needed
- WHO Western Pacific. Preventing drowning in the Philippines (news release), 4 November 2012. https://www.who.int/micronesia/news/detail-wpro/04-11-2012-preventing-drowning-in-the-philippines
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Water Safety and Young Children, HealthyChildren.org, updated 18 May 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Water-Safety-And-Young-Children.aspx
- Guevarra JP, Franklin RC, Peden AE. "I Want to See a Drowning-Free Philippines": A Qualitative Study of the Current Situation, Key Challenges and Future Recommendations for Drowning Prevention in the Philippines. Int J Environ Res Public Health 18(2):381, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020381
- Guevarra JP, Peden AE, et al. Preventing Child Drowning in the Philippines: The Need to Address the Determinants of Health. Children 8(1):29, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8010029
- Daily Tribune. Drowning-related deaths rise in PHL: WHO, 19 October 2024 (reporting a WHO regional report). https://tribune.net.ph/2024/10/19/drowning-related-deaths-rise-in-phl-who
- GMA News. WHO: drowning-related deaths slightly increased in PH, 17 October 2024 (WHO's Dr Hiromasa Okayasu at a Manila press conference). https://gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/924053/who-drowning-related-deaths-slightly-increased-in-ph/story
- Journal News Online. DOH drowning prevention advice, 3 April 2024. https://journalnews.com.ph/?p=206514
- Cebu Daily News. PLSS research on child drowning and supervision (date not shown). https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/?p=29183
- MARINA. Circular 2009-25 on lifejackets and lifebuoys, as published by Lawyerly. https://dev.lawyerly.ph/laws/49927 ; MARINA, MARINA calls for strict compliance with life-saving appliance requirements, 6 June 2026. https://marina.gov.ph/2026/06/06/marina-calls-for-strict-compliance-with-life-saving-appliance-requirements/
- Cebu Daily News. Holy Week 2025 travel tips: PCG-7 heightens security at seaports, 13 April 2025. https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/632641/holy-week-2025-travel-tips-pcg-7-heightens-security-at-seaports ; PCG Central Visayas on unregistered motorbancas (undated). https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/?p=278014
- Injury Prevention 18 (Suppl 1), A132.2, 2012 (Safe Kids Philippines, Cutcut Creek). https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/18/Suppl_1/A132.2
- Day care as a strategy for drowning prevention in children under 6 years of age in low- and middle-income countries (systematic review), PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33884613/
- International Life Saving Federation. Philippine Life Saving Society profile. https://www.ilsf.org/organisation/philippines/ ; PLSS and Royal Life Saving Society Australasia collaboration presentation, University of Southern Queensland. https://research.usq.edu.au/download/63667e88d849a2007eae87a373a2409f9883ec934d247b10714dd1c93a604f37/11364300/Collaboration%20RLSSA%20%26%20PLS.pdf
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026.
