CDSA Acts On Drowning Prevention

A theme lecture educating people on drowning prevention and basic rescue techniques was jointly held by China Diving and Salvage Association (CDSA) and Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) at Zhulong Town of Longquan in Zhejiang Province on July 25, the day the UN World Drowning Prevention Day falls on.

Under the framework of the bilateral strategic agreement between CDSA and RNLI, the activity aims to promote the SAR culture and awareness through high-leveled cooperation to spread the knowledge on drowning prevention. “The successful stage of the lecture marked a good beginning of the specialized cooperation between us as the representatives of both profound SAR culture,” said Song Jiahui, the President of CDSA. 

The lecture was hosted by CDSA’s member Sea Wolf Salvage Service Department in Lishui, Zhejiang Province. Lecturers on first-aid from local Red Cross Society and the department’s water rescue specialists were invited to teach the Zhulong Town government staff and lifeguards how to prevent drowning and conduct water rescue.

“We are pleased to be part of the cooperation to promote awareness of drowning prevention,” Lu Yu of the department said. “As a CDSA member, we will continue, under the guidance of CDSA, promoting publicity and training on drowning prevention for local communities as our social responsibility.”

The Zhulong Town is located to the northwest of Longquan City in the remote area of Zhejiang Province, where it borders Fujian Province and converges with Suichang and Pucheng counties. It is the upper reach of Wuxi River and source of Qiantang River. The town is consisted of six villages that cover an area of 269.7 square kilometers with a population over 6,200 people. The easy access to abundant water resources made the place an ideal destination for water recreation, especially in summer which is also the peak season of drowning accidents.  

The lecturers spoke in detail about the drowning prevention theory and knowledge to address the drowning awareness and rescue techniques that are insufficiently valued and perceived by local people. After the field drill, the lecturers proposed recommendation on risk warning and capacity building based on local geographic characteristics. Relevant questions were answered and demonstrated.

Sea Wolf Salvage Service Department was found in 2019 with business mainly specialized in underwater engineering and salvage. It joined CDSA in April 2023.