France and US boost child drowning prevention as deaths rise

In France, the Macif and the French Sea Rescue Society (SNSM) are expanding the "Mini‑Sauveteurs" tour, which teaches children aged 7‑12 basic first‑aid, CPR and the use of defibrillators. Recent stops include Mimizan and La Seyne‑sur‑Mer, and the program, now on 25 locations, has trained more than 10,500 youngsters as a response to a sharp increase in drownings – 142 deaths recorded in one month and 274 drownings with fatalities linked to recent heat‑wave periods.

In the United States, Florida has logged 74 child drownings in 2026, surpassing the deadliest year on record. Community groups, hospitals and the Florida Panthers convened in Fort Lauderdale to launch free swimming lessons and urge families to educate children about water safety. Meanwhile, the Superior Fire Department in Wisconsin highlighted the importance of personal flotation devices, noting 17 water‑related deaths so far in 2026 and reinforcing state laws requiring life jackets on most vessels.

These coordinated efforts across France and the US aim to curb the rising tide of preventable child drownings through education, public‑health campaigns and on‑site training.