Turning the tide on drowning: SwimSafe initiative, supported by the Australian Government, empowers children in Kerala with essential survival skills

The SwimSafe initiative by The George Institute for Global Health India, a WHO Collaborating Centre on Injury Prevention and Trauma Care, supported by the Direct Aid Program under the Australian Consulate-General in Chennai, is making waves in Kerala by equipping children with essential survival swimming and water safety skills. With over 300 school students trained, the program plays a pivotal role in reducing drowning deaths in the region. Following a structured curriculum, each student completes 12 one-hour lessons designed to instil confidence and lifesaving skills.

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Sports is one of the most powerful ways to connect people across cultures. Through the SwimSafe Program, we are pleased to impart important life skills, including swimming and water safety, to over 300 children. We were also able to draw expertise from Australian institution, Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) in implementing a comprehensive framework for a school water safety program.

By:

Ms Silai Zaki

Australian Consul-General

Drowning remains a major yet preventable public health challenge in India, with Kerala’s extensive coastline and numerous water bodies posing significant risks. Limited access to drowning prevention measures and a lack of swimming skills, particularly among children, contribute to the high incidence of fatalities.

To mark the successful completion of the program, a graduation ceremony was held on 28th March 2025. The event was graced by Shri. V. Sivankutty, Minister for General Education and Labour; Ms Silai Zaki, Australian Consul-General in Chennai, alongside representatives from The George Institute for Global Health India, school authorities, and families of participating students.

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By expanding swim skills to more schools across Kerala, we are not just teaching a life skill—we are safeguarding our future. We are committed to expanding this program to more schools.
I encourage mothers of younger children to get involved because when you teach a mother, you teach a family, you teach a community, and ultimately, you strengthen the entire state. This is about more than swimming; it’s about saving lives.

By:

Mr. V. Sivankutty

Minister of General Education and Labour

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Drowning is a silent epidemic that disproportionately affects children in regions like Kerala. Through the SwimSafe initiative, we are not just teaching children how to swim; we are empowering communities with the skills and knowledge to prevent tragic losses. Ensuring accessibility to such programs in high-risk areas is a crucial step towards making water safety an integral part of public health.

By:

Dr. Jagnoor Jagnoor

Principal Investigator and Head of the India Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes survival swimming lessons as an effective intervention for drowning prevention among children aged 6–10. The Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program funds the SwimSafe Program, which aligns with these international best practices, ensuring that children in high-risk communities gain access to life-saving skills.

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Swimming, water safety and lifesaving is an area where the Australia – India partnership has so much potential. Both countries are girt by sea, and crisscrossed by rivers. Countries where swimming and water safety systems are vital to keeping people safe around water. We can learn a lot from each other.

By:

Dr. Justin-Paul Scarr

CEO, Royal Life Saving Society Australia

Developed in collaboration with the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Australia, the program introduced structured swimming lessons in two government schools—Government UPS Ambalathara and Government UPS Poojapura in Thiruvananthapuram. To ensure accessibility, portable pools were set up within school premises, and expert training was provided to four community swim instructors and two school teachers. Since its launch in early 2025, over 300 students have successfully completed the program.

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I used to be afraid of water, but now I feel happy and confident because I can swim. The instructors were patient and helped me improve.

By:

A Class 4 student

Government Upper Primary School, Poojapura

The SwimSafe graduation ceremony showcased the students’ achievements and their newly acquired survival swimming and basic rescue skills, reinforcing the importance of drowning prevention through structured interventions.