One in three Polish adults does not know how to help a child in an emergency. Experts’ warning after a tragic series of drownings.
According to data from the National Police Headquarters, since the beginning of June, 79 people have already drowned in Polish waters, with as many as 19 on the last Sunday of the month. Summer holidays are statistically the most dangerous time of the year with the youngest being particularly at risk. Experts from the MultiSport Foundation offer advice on how to teach children safety rules. Such a lesson would be useful for adults as well.
In the summer, a significant number of Poles plan to spend their leisure time by the water. According to the 2026 MultiSport Programme survey, among those planning a holiday within the country, 47% will choose a trip to the seaside, while 16% will head to Masuria. As police data shows, the highest number of drownings occurs during the summer holidays. In 2025, 292 people lost their lives in the water, compared to 444 the previous year.
The scale of drownings in Poland in recent years is also concerning when viewed against the backdrop of the rest of Europe. In Eurostat’s 2022 figures, only France and Germany – countries with significantly larger populations – recorded more drownings than in Poland. Analyses by the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene indicate that the average risk of drowning in Poland is roughly twice as high as in other European Union countries.
– Between 2020 and 2024, 106 people under the age of 18 drowned in Polish waters. There is tragedy of a child, their family, and their loved ones behind each of these numbers. Ensuring the safety of the youngest near water requires, above all, active adult supervision, the choice of designated and guarded swimming areas, properly selected buoyancy aids, and ongoing education. A child should know the rules, but responsibility for their safety always rests with adults – says Paweł Błasiak, President of the Volunteer Water Rescue Service.
– In our desire to protect children, we too often teach them to fear dangers rather than understand them. Fear blocks the acquisition of knowledge. Under stress, instead of consolidating information, the brain withdraws. A child who has only heard prohibitions simply does not know how to behave in a moment of real danger – says Ilona Gregorczyk, teacher, specialist in innovative teaching methods, and expert with the MultiSport Foundation.
This blocking mechanism can also be triggered in a dangerous situation. The body reacts to contact with water in a way that parents and teachers often underestimate, yet which can be decisive for the child.
– Thermal shock – the sudden entry of a heated body into cold water – can even lead to cardiac arrest. Water currents, whirlpools, and backwaters are forces the human body cannot overcome. However, if a child understands why and how such mechanisms work, they learn to draw conclusions and remember the rules more effectively than they would a mere prohibition, and – should a dangerous situation arise – they are able to react – adds Gregorczyk.
Improperly administering aid is also dangerous
Knowing the causes is one thing, but the ability to recognise the danger itself as it unfolds is equally important, as the speed and appropriateness of the response from those on the shore depend on it.
– A lifeguard supervises the entire swimming area and responds to hazards but does not replace a parent or guardian. Before the children enter the water, it is worth clearly establishing which adult is responsible for watching them at any given time. We cannot assume that someone else is watching. In an emergency, it’s seconds that count – says Błasiak.
– Surveys conducted by the MultiSport Foundation reveal that as many as one in three Polish adults does not know the rules for providing aid to children in an emergency situation – notes Justyna Rysiak, President of the MultiSport Foundation, adding: – To support guardians, parents, and teachers in raising safety awareness, we have prepared a free guide and lesson plans to be used both at school and at home as part of the MultiBezpieczeństwo Programme. We have dedicated one of the scenarios entirely to water safety. It covers recognising hazards on lakes, rivers, and at the seaside, as well as appropriate conduct in the event of an accident.
The educational materials were developed for children aged 10–14 and are available for download at www.multibezpieczenstwo.pl.
– A survey conducted by the MultiSport Foundation also reveals that 57.5% of Poles believe schools should be more involved in educating children about safety. This is gradually happening. Over 650 teachers have already made use of the guides and lesson plans from the MultiBezpieczeństwo project, and the lessons have reached nearly 15,000 students across Poland. Water safety doesn’t start with a prohibition sign, but with a conversation you can have even before setting of – sums up Justyna Rysiak.
The MultiBezpieczeństwo Programme is carried out under the patronage of the Centre for Education Development, the Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR), the Police, and the National Headquarters of the State Fire Service.
Marcin Walendziak
The MultiSport Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle across all social groups, with a particular focus on children, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. The foundation runs educational and sports programmes such as “Active MultiSport Schools” and “Full of Sport” that engage tens of thousands of participants across Poland annually and support preventive healthcare and social integration. The organisation collaborates with research institutions, schools, athletes, and business partners, continuously expanding its range of programmes that address current public health challenges.
