“The National Police Agency has confirmed 15,780 deaths, 5,929 injured, and 4,122 people missing across eighteen prefectures. Of the 13,135 fatalities recovered by 11 April 2011, 12,143 or 92.5% died by drowning. Victims aged 60 or older accounted for 65.2% of the deaths, with 24% of total victims being in their 70s.”
“Save the Children reports that as many as 100,000 children were uprooted from their homes, some of whom were separated from their families because
the earthquake occurred during the school day.[151] As of 10 April 2011, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated that it was aware of
“The National Police Agency has confirmed 15,780 deaths, 5,929 injured, and 4,122 people missing across eighteen prefectures. Of the 13,135 fatalities recovered by 11 April 2011, 12,143 or 92.5% died by drowning. Victims aged 60 or older accounted for 65.2% of the deaths, with 24% of total victims being in their 70s.”
“Save the Children reports that as many as 100,000 children were uprooted from their homes, some of whom were separated from their families because
the earthquake occurred during the school day.[151] As of 10 April 2011, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated that it was aware of
at least 82 children who had been orphaned by the disaster. The quake and tsunami, as of 28 April 2011, killed 378 elementary, middle-school, and high school students and left 158 others missing. One elementary school in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Okawa Elementary, lost 74 of 108 (37 of 54) students and 10 of 13 teachers and staff.”
The International Life Saving Federation is an advocate for the global awareness of drowning, drowning prevention and lifesaving from aquatic accidents and disasters. We bring to the attention of the WHO, UNICEF, other UN agencies, national governments and our members and friends that drowning is the largest killer in aquatic natural disasters. As the data from the Japan tragedy in March 2011 demonstrate that more than 90% of the mortality was from drowning. We know that more than 12, 143 persons would have drowned if the population of Japan had not had the value of water safety, drowning prevention education and skill embedded in the Japanese population by Japan Lifesaving Association and other drowning prevention partners in your nation.
It is probable that more than 15,956 people (12, 143 + 92.5% of the missing persons) died from drowning in that one tragic event. We know that natural
disasters mortality burden is highest on those who are most vulnerable. This disproportionate burden hits children, the elderly and women, as the data from this event demonstrates. The impact on the families and those who survived the disaster is large and wide.
The lessons that we must continue to advocate to governments and to the disaster mitigation authorities is that mortality from aquatic natural
disasters is nearly all from drowning. We can reduce this mortality impact by up to 50% when the at risk population has survival swimming training and skills. We have learned that this is not just swimming skills but a basket of knowledge and skills that reduces drowning mortality and other injury
mortality in a measurable manner. Drowning prevention needs to be part of disaster preparations and risk reduction. ILS and ILS Member Associations need to continue to advocate for drowning prevention in all at risk populations and communities. Many Asian nations do not have the preparations that are so admirable in Japan. We need to find ways to help targeted at risk communities, in all nations.
The thoughts and best wishes of all your ILS colleagues are with you on this 6 month anniversary of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Your resilience is amazing. Please pass on our best wishes and thoughts to the Japan Life Saving Association and to the people and partners that assist you to provide drowning prevention education to your nation.
Dr Steve Beerman
President
International Life Saving Federation
