Australia’s peak drowning prevention and water safety bodies, Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia are urging everyone to make water safety a priority amid predictions of a busy, hot summer.
Last summer, 134 people lost their lives to drowning across Australia, with 41% of all drowning deaths occurring during the summer months. Older adults (55+) accounted for 39% of summer drowning deaths, while 10% were children aged 0–14.
Many incidents took place at isolated locations without lifeguards or lifesavers including unpatrolled beaches, rivers, lakes, and dams. Men remain disproportionately affected, representing 78% of summer drowning deaths.
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Adam Weir emphasised the importance of vigilance;
“We all love visiting the coast, last year there were over 650 million visits to the coast but tragically, some visits ended in loss.
We urge everyone visiting the coastline to visit our new virtual training platform ‘Beach Passport’ at beachpassport.org.au. It is a free mobile or online course that provides basic water safety knowledge tailored towards kids in primary school, young people in high school and adults.
Last summer, surf lifesavers performed 8,857 rescues and performed more than 2.4 million preventative actions. Surf Life Saving Australia’s new water safety campaign, ‘Stop. Look. Stay Alive,’ targets risk-taking behaviour, particularly among men, and encourages safer choices at the beach.
STOP
- Before you enter the water
LOOK
- For the red and yellow flags, if they’re on the beach swim between them
- For signs and warnings about the area
- At the conditions and weather forecast
- For rip currents and other dangers
STAY ALIVE
- Assess the conditions based on your own ability
- If it’s unsafe, don’t swim
- Don’t go alone
- Complete the online Beach Passport for basic training and education on water safety
Royal Life Saving CEO Justin Scarr highlighted the dangers of inland waterways;
“Rivers and lakes pose significant risks with hidden currents and debris. Men should Make the Right Call—know your limits, wear lifejackets, and avoid alcohol around water.
Royal Life Saving reminds parents of the vital importance of constant supervision around water to prevent child drowning. Over the past decade, 197 children aged 0–4 years drowned in Australia, with 65% occurring in swimming pools or bathtubs, and 37% occurring in summer. The Keep Watch message is clear: designate a responsible adult to supervise children around water, especially during holidays and parties.
National Water Safety Day, declared by the Federal Government on December 1, is an annual reminder to prioritise water safety. Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia are rolling out safety campaigns and resourcing lifesaving services, and working with government agencies, councils and community groups to prevent drowning and keep communities safe this summer.
Royal Life Saving – Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia advise people to:
- Always actively supervise children in, on and around water
- Learn swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills
- Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling
- Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
- Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
- Check the conditions, including weather forecasts
For further safety information visit:
Surf Life Saving Australia – www.sls.com.au
- BeachSafe – www.beachsafe.org.au
- Beach Passport – www.beachpassport.org.au
- National Water Safety Campaign - Stop Look Stay Alive (Full version)
Royal Life Saving Australia – www.royallifesaving.com.au
- Enjoy the Water Safely Campaign – www.royallifesaving.com.au/watersafety
- Keep Watch Campaign – www.royallifesaving.com.au/keepwatch
- Make the Right Call Campaign – www.royallifesaving.com.au/maketherightcall
