Handbook on Drowning published

World-wide at least half a million people die from drowning each year. To address this global issue, experts from around the world, ranging from rescuers to clinicians and researchers, share their knowledge and expertise to focus on the major areas of need and strategies for success.


World-wide at least half a million people die from drowning each year. To address this global issue, experts from around the world, ranging from rescuers to clinicians and researchers, share their knowledge and expertise to focus on the major areas of need and strategies for success.

The Handbook on Drowning is the “must have” for anyone who desires a satellite view of existing knowledge about prevention, rescue, and treatment of drowning. The book is not only a rich source of focused information, but also a stimulant for initiatives on how best to reduce the annual number of drownings, in individual cases and during disasters, and how to improve the outcome of drowning victims.

The International Life Saving Federation participated in the organizing of this event and numerous ILS affiliated experts were participants. The book was edited by Dr. Joost Bierens, member of the ILS Medical Committee.

The Handbook is written for all persons involved in the pre-hospital, emergency and intensive care treatment of drowned victims, public health officials involved in drowning prevention and professionals in water rescue.

In case the purchase of such an important book for lifesaving is beyound your personal budget, please consider to propose your local life saving organisation or local public library to purchase one (or more) copy of the book for general use. In this way the information of the book will also become available for a wider audience.