Royal Life Saving wants everyone to enjoy the water safely, but to prepare and brush up on safety precautions, especially in unfamiliar locations.
We are a water-loving nation, and it’s part of who we are. From rivers to swimming pools, harbours, and beaches.
Every day one person died from drowning across summer, with a surge of deaths during the heat wave in February and a tragic Christmas – New Year holiday week pushing numbers up. In total, 90 people lost their lives in Australian waterways and swimming pools between 1 December 2022 and 28 February 2023.
Its important to know the conditions. Unfamiliar swimming, boating, and fishing spots increase the risk of drowning. Sandbars, rips, unpredictable currents, debris below the water surface and swiftly changing local conditions are all often well-known to locals, but harder to spot by visitors.
Avoid alcohol around the water. More than half of all adults will drink alcohol around the water this summer and we know alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for drowning among adults.
Wear a lifejacket when fishing or boating. There is a lifejacket for every activity and every body. With the modern comfortable design of lifejackets there is really no excuse not to wear a lifejacket.
No mater your skill level and confidence, avoid going alone. Thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ is too often the call made – our research shows that poor decision making can lead to tragedy.
The best thing parents and carers can do to protect children is to always supervise children around the water. Keep Watch and keep them within arm’s reach.
Everyone enjoy the water safely.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
These are our top 5 tips to enjoy the water safely:
- Always supervise children around water
- Avoid alcohol around water
- Wear a lifejacket when boating and fishing
- Avoid going alone
- Know the conditions
This Campaign is proudly supported by the Australian Government.
Always Supervise Children around water
Supervision is the single most important thing you can do to keep your children safe around water.
We all know how busy things can get and when you’re trying to do many things at once, this is when you can get distracted. Children can wander away unnoticed while parents attend to other tasks.
Remember to always Keep Watch and to keep within arm's reach.
Avoid alcohol around water
Alcohol and water don't mix. Alcohol consumption can significantly increase the risk of drowning.
Leave the alcohol until safely away from the water, look out for your family and friends and pull them into line if they’re under the influence and thinking about going into the water.
Alcohol reduces coordination and can impair a person’s judgement and reaction time, reducing inhibition and distorting the perception of risk.
Wear a lifejacket
Make sure all the family are wearing lifejackets before heading out for a fun day on the water.
Lifejackets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment when boating. There is a lifejacket for every activity and every body. With the modern comfortable design of lifejackets there is really no excuse not to wear a lifejacket.
KNOW THE CONDITIONS
More than one-third of all Australians who drown died more than 50km from home. Unfamiliar swimming, boating, and fishing spots increase the risk of drowning. Sandbars, rips, unpredictable currents, debris below the water surface and swiftly changing local conditions are all often well-known to locals, but harder to spot by visitors. Stay safe by:
- Checking weather alerts before and during your trip. Conditions can change rapidly especially out on the water.
- Telling someone where you are going and when you will return.
- Knowing your own limitations – if you’re in any doubt, stay out.
Avoid going alone
No mater your skill level and confidence, avoid going alone.
Thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ is too often the call made – our research shows that poor decision making can lead to tragedy. Swim with a friend or with family.
If you do go alone, make sure you swim at a patrolled beach or a pool with lifeguards on duty.
Share our Safety Messages
Be sure to tag #WaterSafety #DrowningPrevention @RoyalLifeSaving and link to https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/watersafety
