An estimated 1.2M people drown every year across the world – about the same number who die of malaria. Despite the scale of the problem, relatively little has been done to tackle it – until now

The RNLI is stepping-up its overseas work to help developing search and rescue-related organisations and prevent more international drowning tragedies We’ve a long history of sharing our expertise globally, whether by membership of the International Maritime Rescue Federation (formerly the International Lifeboat Federation), selling lifeboats abroad, developing new craft and kit, or sending lifeguards on international exchanges, but there is plenty more to be done, as Steve Wills, the RNLI’s International Development Manager, explains:

‘There is still a significant number of people worldwide – especially in low and middle income countries – who have no access to any kind of rescue service. A lot of the drownings happen in floods, large bodies of water, or at the coast – all areas in which we have expertise in saving lives and can help to reduce these sad losses. The RNLI runs one of the most effective and dependable lifeboat and lifeguard services in the world and there is a great demand for us to share our knowledge and skills.’

Steve explains that the charity is focusing on helping others to help themselves: ‘It’s definitely not about dropping an RNLI lifesaving model into another country, for example, by setting up a service of our own. We’re finding ways to guide communities to run and fund their own sustainable service.’ This means working with embassies, charities, non-governmental organisations, local groups and schools.

‘Many deaths by drowning happen through simple accidents when living and working close to water and we’ve already shown a grass-roots approach can help. In 2008, our lifeguards trained locals as lifesavers on a beach in Kenya. Drownings there have since dropped from an average of three every month to zero.’

Yet such one-off programmes can only go so far, which is why Steve has introduced an international development strategy, giving the charity a framework for assessing international projects and ensuring they are scalable and sustainable. After researching and considering the many requests for help received, Steve has identified Asia, Africa and South America as priorities, based on their need and the RNLI’s ability to fulfil that need.

The work will be mainly self-funding, through income from third party organisations and any profit from sales of consultancy, equipment and training to search and rescue organisations in developed countries. Steve will also start seeking some government grants, corporate donations and support from interested individuals.

Steve says: ‘I’ve seen how so little can make a massive impact. For example, two staff members recently spent a week in Cameroon delivering swim survival instructor training to a group of volunteers. From one week’s tuition, those volunteers now have the skills and knowledge to deliver vital swim survival training to others wherever they are based in the country.

‘There doesn’t seem to be anywhere we are not needed,’ he says. ‘It’s not all plain sailing as there is a serious amount of red tape and politics to wade through, and we’re being very careful to assess all possible risks. But it’s worth it, to see the difference we can make – I truly hope the programmes the RNLI is delivering can start to save lives immediately.’

Since Steve's visit, the RNLI has set up the first ever volunteer lifeguard service in Bangladesh and delivered training to the Coastguard. See Steve's diary overleaf ...

A week in Bangladesh – Steve’s diary

Sunday
I’m here in Bangladesh to meet key stakeholders, assess their needs and see how we can help. As it’s an ordinary working day here, the few miles from airport to hotel take over an hour – without doubt the worst driving experience I have ever had. No wonder they average 17 road-related deaths a day.

Monday
On to my first meeting with Dr Amin Rahman of the Inter national Drowning Research Centre (IDRC). I start presenting about the RNLI and its international work before 8am and it’s already well over 40oC and nearing 100% humidity. The power fails and the lights go out. Everyone else acts as though nothing has happened (it can be 10 times a day) so I keep going in the dark.

Tuesday
At the British High Commission this morning, I meet with representatives of the UK’s Department for International Development and the High Commission. An armoured car takes me to meet the Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Director of Operations.

With sirens blaring and blue lights flashing we make little headway in the traffic, despite driving the wrong way down the highway! Both men are open about the need to develop Bangladesh's search and rescue capabilities and are keen to develop structured training.

Wednesday
A 5am wake-up call for a trip north. I witness several serious road accident s en route, with children riding on the roofs of buses and rickshaws competing for space with truck s. We get a puncture but eventually make it to an Anchal (crèche) where women teach their pre-school children life skills including water safety.

Next a village that is running SwimSafe, a programme of 20 lessons in survival swimming, rescue skills and water safety knowledge for children. The concept is simple yet effective and the children seem to love it! Lastly, a resuscitation course in someone’s house. The village leaders go on to train other volunteers in first response and emergency care.

Thursday
A flight down to Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh’s answer to Blackpool) and an embr yonic lifesaving club. It’s suppor ted by the IDRC and sponsored by an eco-tourism travel company. The entire club meet s us, holding huge bouquets of flowers. They’re aged 15 –22 and are clearly respected in the community, reminding me of how lifeboat crews are respected back home.

Formal meetings with the District Commissioner and Chief of Police, then I ’m asked to provide a half- day practical session! Although I use d to lifeguard, I haven’t done so for many year s – concerne d about my own skill fade, I discover that IDRC’s Tom Mecrow lifeguarded in Woolacombe for the RNLI! With a quick call to RNLI headquarters for a few ideas (thanks!) and a night market visit to get a few props, we’re ready.

Friday
We meet at the clubhouse at 9am to run the session, which goes really well and is an obvious activity for the RNLI to help develop further. I of fer a s mall donation to the club as they have paid for ever y thing since I arrived. After much resistance, they accept but tonight four of them knock on my door and ask if they may use some of the money to buy food for two of their families who haven’t eaten properly for several days. I realise now that the club really is part of the community.

Saturday
I wake up to find the hotel under 1m of water due to heavy rains overnight. This is normal so no one bats an eyelid. Amin, Tom, the guys from the club and I take a jeep along the incredible Bangladeshi coast, including the world’s longest beach (approx 70 miles), to assess what the lifeguard needs might be for the rest of the area.

Sunday
The flight home gives me time to reflect and prepare my recommendations for what action we could take to help this amazing country. The people I’ve met in Bangladesh may have little material wealth, but what they do have is warmth, generosity, real community and determination to reduce the country’s massive drowning rates.