“Drowning Isn’t Inevitable It is Preventable.” - Dr. Colleen Saunders

Dr. Colleen Saunders is a leading researcher in drowning prevention whose work is helping to reshape how we understand water safety on a global scale.

Her journey into this field didn’t begin in a laboratory it began in the ocean. She spent nearly two decades as a voluntary lifeguard at Big Bay in Cape Town, where lifesaving became part of who she is. What started as a passion and a commitment to protecting others in the water would eventually evolve into a powerful research career.

After completing her PhD, she found herself searching for direction and began analyzing drowning incidents and media reports for Life Saving South Africa. What she uncovered was striking there was very little research focused on drowning and prevention in South Africa. That realization changed the course of her work.

Today, Dr. Saunders operates at the intersection of research, policy, and real-world prevention—bringing visibility to one of the most overlooked public health challenges in the world. We start with a conversation from her current paper in the African Journal of Emerging Medicine Leave No One Behind

This conversation reinforced the central mission: drowning is not a random accident but a preventable public health issue shaped by systems, access, and equity. A key takeaway for your work in Hawaii is that incomplete data should not delay action—while drowning is undercounted globally (especially non-fatal and flood-related cases), policymakers can still move forward using what is known. The discussion strongly validated your focus on disparities, particularly among Indigenous and underserved populations, highlighting that access to swim education, safe environments, and water familiarity are major drivers of risk.

On prevention, the most important insight was the concept of layers of protection —supervision alone is not enough. Effective strategies combine barriers (like fences), restricted access, environmental safety, and early water competency. You also explored how drowning risk extends beyond beaches and pools to homes, infrastructure, and flooding, reinforcing your broader messaging approach. Finally, the conversation strengthened your policy angle: drowning has a high economic cost due to its impact on young people, and even small investments in prevention can yield significant returns. The unifying message that emerged—one you’re already championing—is clear: drowning is preventable with the right systems in place.

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2.15.26

Professor Rob Brander is an internationally recognized coastal geomorphologist and one of the world’s leading experts on rip currents and beach safety. His research has played a major role in reshaping scientific understanding of rip current behavior and how people respond when caught in them.

Professor Brander is based at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, where he serves in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Toronto and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sydney.

Key Contributions to Rip Current Science:

• Conducted pioneering field research on rip current dynamics and beach morphology.

• Led groundbreaking studies examining swimmer behavior in rip currents, including interviews with survivors and GPS tracking of swimmers in controlled conditions.

• Helped challenge outdated safety advice by demonstrating that panic and fighting the current increases risk, while floating, conserving energy, and signaling for help often improves survival.

• Collaborated internationally with scientists such as Dr. Jamie H. MacMahan to link physical oceanography with real-world safety outcomes.

Resources

UNSW Beach Safety Research Group www.beachsafetyresearch.com

Personal website www.scienceofthesurf.com

Dr. Rip’s Essential Beach Book International Edition https://cup.columbia.edu/book/dr-rips-essential-beach-book/9780231217408**

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2.19.26

Taishi Otono is a respected leader in ocean safety and lifesaving in Okinawa, Japan, and an emerging international voice in collaborative drowning prevention. Through his work with the Okinawan lifesaving community, Otono has helped strengthen professional guard training, rescue operations, and cross-cultural partnerships aimed at improving coastal safety.

Okinawa shares many similarities with Hawaiʻi—both are island regions with strong ocean cultures, heavy tourism, and complex coastal environments shaped by reef systems, powerful currents, and seasonal weather patterns. Like Hawaiʻi, Okinawa faces the dual challenge of protecting residents while also safeguarding visitors who may have limited ocean experience. Otono’s work focuses on practical, field-based solutions that improve real-world outcomes for lifeguards and the public.

In recent years, Otono has collaborated with ocean safety leaders in Hawaiʻi, including partnerships connected with the Hawaii Lifeguard Association and North Shore ocean safety professionals. These exchanges have included joint training sessions, rescue technique discussions, jet ski deployment strategies, and shared analysis of rip-current response models. His involvement reflects a growing recognition that drowning prevention benefits from international cooperation and shared data.

A key aspect of Otono’s leadership is his emphasis on adaptability. Okinawan beaches, like those in Hawaiʻi, range from protected lagoons to high-energy reef breaks. Guard teams must understand localized hazards, communicate clearly with multilingual visitors, and respond quickly to dynamic surf conditions. Otono has been instrumental in refining operational approaches that integrate traditional lifesaving methods with modern rescue equipment and personal watercraft support.

Beyond operational work, Otono supports public education efforts that improve awareness of rip currents, reef hazards, and safe ocean behavior. By working alongside international experts and local community leaders, he contributes to a broader message: drowning is preventable when science, training, and communication work together.

His collaboration with Hawaiʻi represents more than a professional exchange—it reflects a shared island responsibility. Both Okinawa and Hawaiʻi understand that the ocean is central to culture, recreation, and identity. Through ongoing partnership, Taishi Otono is helping build a stronger, more connected global water safety network—one that prioritizes prevention, preparedness, and respect for the sea.**

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