Skip to Main Content

The Lifesaving Foundation Collection: Welcome

Print and electronic resources for The Lifesaving Foundation Collection

Online Public Lecture by Erik Abrahamsson - Swedish anthropologist, writer, and photographer

Waves of being : a phenomenological journey with the Bajau Laut An online Lecture by Erik Abrahamsson, Swedish anthropologist, writer, and photographer

Wednesday 2nd April 2025, starting at 9.15am

Please email kieran.cronin@setu.ie to reserve your place and receive your link to the webinar.

Presentation Overview:

The presentation will focus on the Bajau Laut, often referred to as the “people of the sea,” living in Southeast Asia. Erik Abrahamsson will discuss their lifestyle, a bit about their history, and their deep connection to water. He will explore both their cultural and physiological connection to the sea, emphasizing how their lived experience shapes this bond. This includes how they embody the concept of "blue mind," which refers to the meditative, calming state that being in or near water evokes, fostering resilience and a unique relationship with their environment. This connection influences their daily lives, their approach to the sea, and even their ability to stay relaxed in the water—an essential aspect of drowning prevention. Additionally, the lecture will touch on the present challenges they face, as well as discuss the aquatic ape hypothesis, linking their way of life to broader evolutionary perspectives.

 

Short Bio: 

My name is Erik Abrahamsson—a Swedish anthropologist, writer, and photographer with a focus on indigenous cultures, maritime lifestyles, and human evolution. Since 2010, I have been studying the sea nomads Bajau Laut in Southeast Asia and have lived with them for extended periods in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. My fieldwork has resulted in academic papers, several articles, radio programs, and photo exhibitions about the Bajau Laut—“The People of the Sea.” I am particularly interested in the intersection of their cultural and physiological adaptation and connection to the sea.

Website: https://theaquaticape.org/

The Prevention of Suicide by Drowning Webinar

The Prevention of Suicide by Drowning Webinar took place on Wednesday 13th November from 8pm to 9.30pm (Irish time). If you would like to find out more about this event please email suicidebydrowningwebinar@gmail.com.

 

Welcome

Welcome to the Lifesaving Foundation Collection subject guide.

Browse the tabs along the top of the screen to learn about library resources for the Lifesaving Foundation Collection.

Download Why Swimmers Drown ebook by clicking here

HOW TO SAVE A COPY OF THE BOOK
1. Click on the Printer Icon.
2. Click on PRINT.
3. Select PRINT ALL PAGES.
4. Click on PRINT.
5. Click on DESTINATION option.
6. Select SAVE AS PDF
7. Click on SAVE .
8. Select saved destination.
You will not have to print the book.
DESTINATION gives a SAVE option.

Humans and Stress - Professor John Wells

The Lifesaving Foundation


The Lifesaving Foundation is an international charity devoted to saving lives from drowning. Membership is open to adults and organisations supporting its aims. The Foundation's primary aim is to promote and support evidence-based research into drowning prevention and rescue.

The Lifesaving Foundation has formed a drowning research partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology’s School of Health Sciences.
The long-term aim of the partnership is to establish a permanent world class drowning research centre at WIT. The immediate aim is to reduce drowning death numbers through researching the concept of self-rescue in life threatening situations. This is being undertaken in co-operation with An Garda Síochána and An Garda Síochána Retired Members Association. Initial funding will be provided through the Doherty Police Research Fund.

Announcing the partnership WIT President Prof Willie Donnelly commended the work of The Lifesaving Foundation to date and added that the Institute looks forward to developing world-class drowning research including priority areas such as self-rescue. Professor John Wells, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, welcomed the new partnership saying that the Institute’s research capability combined with the Lifesaving Foundation’s drowning expertise would make for a symbiotic relationship benefitting all at risk from drowning worldwide.

On Thursday 1st February 2018, a large donation of drowning books was made to WIT Libraries by John Connolly, Honorary Chief Executive of the Lifesaving Foundation as part of the launch of a research partnership between Waterford Institute of Technology’s School of Health Sciences and The Lifesaving Foundation. This donation of books and audio visual materials will be known as the Lifesaving Foundation Collection. WIT will continue to work with the Lifesaving Foundation in building and developing the collection which will become a pivotal hub for drowning research in the South East of Ireland and which will in turn act as a beacon for national and international audiences focused on saving lives from drowning .

Library Contact

Kieran Cronin
Special Collections, Heritage & Outreach Librarian
Luke Wadding Library
SETU Cork Road Campus
Waterford.
051-302839
Email: kieran.cronin@setu.ie

Lifesaving Foundation Contact

John Connolly
Honorary Chief Executive
The Lifesaving Foundation
Registered Office: 11 Iveragh Close, Lismore Lawn, Waterford City, Ireland.
Telephone: (086)8128671 / (051) 376773
Email: john@lifesavingfoundation.ie