Greece launches senior swimming safety campaign after 284 drownings

The Greek Ministry of Health, together with the Safe Water Sports programme and the National Public Health Organization (ΕΟΔΥ), has launched a public‑health campaign aimed at preventing drownings among people aged 60 and over. Data from the maritime and accident observatories show that 284 seniors died in the sea last summer, accounting for about 80% of the 373 average annual sea deaths and nearly eight out of ten drownings overall.

The campaign, titled “Sea with Safety for 60+”, advises older swimmers to never swim alone, stay close to the shoreline, avoid sudden entry into the water, refrain from swimming to exhaustion, and to consult a doctor before swimming if they have chronic health issues or take medication. Additional guidance stresses checking weather conditions, avoiding beaches with strong winds or rip currents, and choosing sites equipped with lifeguard services or safe‑access systems such as SEATRAC for those with mobility challenges.