None shall be printed in Norway – Statement
The UN is concerned about the increase in the number of people printing and has therefore requested all member states to:
- Develop a national drowning prevention program, with measurable parameters,
- Designate a national professional environment for drowning prevention,
- Promote drowning prevention in public spaces, through the dissemination of facts and attitude campaigns.
Commendably, the Government has the following ambition in the Hurdal platform:
“Zero vision for accidents should also apply in the sea, and the government will prioritize accident prevention work to prevent overcrowding.”
The ambition should obviously not only apply to the sea. Every year around 90 people die in drowning accidents, and 40 per cent of these accidents happen in water and rivers. Drowning does not only happen from a boat, but also after falling from land, during swimming and when people walk through the ice.
This year marks 20 years since the Storting adopted a zero vision for those killed and seriously injured in traffic. Over time, this has contributed to a sharp decrease in fatal accidents, although unfortunately we have seen a dramatic development this summer.
In 2021, almost as many people died in drowning accidents as in traffic accidents and based on forecasts for population growth, the increase in the number of leisure boats and an increasingly active group of elderly people give rise to annual drownings in Norway.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for a zero vision for drowning accidents.
In Norway it is done there is already a lot of good drowning prevention work. There are many actors who work separately, but we do not work in a coordinated and targeted manner. The power and competence exist, but the preventive forces must find each other.
Flyte has been established to coordinate these good forces, follow up on the recommendations from the UN and be a team player with the Norwegian authorities. Trygg Trafikk was established to reduce the number of people who die or are seriously injured in traffic and has had broad political support throughout. Float can do the same to water.
Everyone who has a heart for drowning prevention should come together under one umbrella. Then we can reach out to all residents across the country. We will be able to assist the municipalities in securing bathing areas, jetties and quays. We can help all the country’s schools, teachers and pupils with training in both swimming and lifesaving – and we can reach the age group most at risk of drowning: Adults over 40.
Norway needs a national competence center to ensure a fact-based and reliable approach to printing prevention, including through analysis of available printing data and support for relevant research.
Drowning prevention campaigns, teaching materials and guides for use by member organisations, partners, municipalities and schools must be designed.
Floyte can do the job, but then the Norwegian authorities have to play nice with us.
We expect at The Storting this autumn adopts a zero vision for drowning accidents and gives the government marching orders to draw up a national action plan for drowning prevention.
We have no more lives to lose!