Drowning is the second leading cause of death among children in Croatia, nearly half cannot swim

(Patria) - On the occasion of World Drowning Prevention Day, July 25, the Croatian Red Cross announced yesterday that an average of 85 people die annually in Croatia from drowning and sudden cardiac arrest in water.

Drowning is, after traffic accidents, the second leading cause of death among children in Croatia.

The Croatian Red Cross will mark World Drowning Prevention Day this year under the slogan "Those who swim, do not sink," reports Hina.

"The slogan aims to highlight the importance of swimming skills, especially among children. Croatia is a Mediterranean country, but between 40 and 70 percent of children cannot swim," the Red Cross stated.

The recent tragic drowning of a 12-year-old boy is an impetus to discuss the importance of drowning prevention, as well as the fact that an average of 85 people die annually in Croatia from accidental drowning and sudden cardiac arrest in water.

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children in Croatia, right after traffic accidents, and one of the five main causes of accidents in Croatia.

There is no unified statistic showing exactly how many non-swimmers there are in Croatia, but the Red Cross says experience shows that number is large.

"The situation varies from county to county; for example, in Istria, more than 50 percent of second-grade primary school students cannot swim, while in Vukovar-Srijem County, nearly 70 percent of children cannot swim," they stated.

Non-swimmer training has not been an integral part of the National Pedagogical Standard since 2010, and in practice, this obligation has been left to local communities, parents, clubs, and schools.

The Croatian Red Cross, as the only organization in Croatia that trains lifeguards and conducts preventive campaigns and education, believes that non-swimmer training should be an integral part of the educational system in Croatia.

"It is necessary to establish interdepartmental cooperation to build a national water safety plan," the Red Cross urged.