More than 70 Monegasque middle school students took part in the Princess Charlene Foundation’s annual Water Safety Day at Larvotto Beach, an initiative aimed at reducing drowning risks and teaching essential lifesaving skills ahead of the busy summer season…
Organised in partnership with the Monaco Aquatic Rescue and Diving Centre and the Monegasque Red Cross, the event transformed the beach into a hands-on training ground where pupils learned how to recognise danger, raise the alarm and respond effectively in emergency situations. Practical workshops covered coastal rescue techniques, the use of lifebuoys and rescue equipment, as well as basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Foundation representatives stressed the importance of educating young people about water safety at a time when distractions can often reduce awareness of potential dangers. The programme encourages participants not only to understand prevention but also to develop the confidence to act when lives may be at risk.
According to the World Health Organization, around 300,000 people die from drowning each year worldwide, with children and young people among the most vulnerable groups. The Foundation has spent more than a decade promoting water safety education both in Monaco and internationally.
The workshops held in the Principality can be adapted for coastal regions elsewhere in Europe, while programmes in Africa and Asia often focus on basic survival skills. The Princess Charlene Foundation will also launch a wider drowning prevention campaign during the summer months to reinforce these important safety messages.
Image: Stéphane Danna