This stream focuses on research, policy and practice which is targeted at a specific activity or occupation to reduce or prevent drowning.  There are a range of aquatic activities both recreational and occupational which increase a person’s exposure to water and, where not undertaken safely, can lead to drowning.  Such activities may include fishing, scuba diving, boating, sailing, surfing, swimming, snorkelling, using jet skis, or using water slides.  There are a wide range of occupations from fishing to ferries which need and use water for their livelihoods, unfortunately this interaction has tragic consequences where large numbers of people drown in single incidents that could have been prevented.

 This stream may include discussion on the range of activities and occupations where drowning occurs, information about exposure, common circumstances leading to drowning, prevention activities and strategies and development of safer systems, or attitudes.  These discussions may focus on prevention strategies at local, community, country, regional or international levels.

Travel by water is common throughout the world, unfortunately when things go wrong this can lead to large numbers of people drowning.  These large scale disasters where many people have drowned in the one incident, such as the Bangladesh ferry disaster where 75 people drowned when it capsized, are all too common.  Discussion about how such disasters occur and how they could be prevented will also be warmly received by the organising committee.

This stream aims to highlight a range of activities and occupations where drowning prevention has been undertaken or where further information will provide a better profile of the activity or occupation to help in developing prevention strategies. Discussion or demonstration of specific activities or occupations may also be supported via specific conference workshops.