CONTINUING heatwave conditions have left authorities pleading with regional communities to swim safe with more than half of the 34 drownings this month occurring away from the coast.
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The Summer Drowning Toll tells a very sad story – in just 27 days 34 people have drowned.
Males accounted for 88 per cent of these deaths and 19 (56 per cent) of the drownings occurred away from coastal beaches and oceans.
Royal Life Saving Society research and policy national manager, Amy Peden, said the data painted a very sad story with 10 more drowning deaths this year compared to the same time in 2017.
“Enjoy your local pools, rivers, lakes and dams but do so safely,” she urged.
“We don’t want another family to lose a loved one in a preventable drowning incident.”
Many inland waterways are not patrolled by lifeguards and Ms Peden said people often underestimated the dangers of pools, rivers, creeks and dams.
We have seen three [drownings] due to attempting a rescue of another person in trouble.
- Royal Life Saving Society's Amy Peden
“Our inland waterways, can often appear quite still and calm from the surface, but the murky water can hide hazards below such as tree branches, sandbanks, or rocks,” she said.
Tragically, Ms Peden said some of these drownings occurred while one person was attempting to rescue another.
“While the figures remain interim at this early stage, and we await the outcome of coronial investigations … we have seen three due to attempting a rescue of another person in trouble,” she said.
“It can be hard to think clearly when performing a rescue, as chances are, it will be someone you know and love. But you need to think clearly, act within your means, and call emergency services for help.”
Don’t overestimate your ability and underestimate the conditions.
- Royal Life Saving Society's Amy Peden
Ms Peden urged anyone who is planning to spend time on or near the water to take care this summer.
“Don’t overestimate your ability and underestimate the conditions,” she said.
“Look out for yourself and your mates these holidays.”
Safety tips at rivers, creeks and streams
- Never swim alone
- Avoid drugs and alcohol around water
- Wear a lifejacket
- Check the current by throwing a leaf into the water to see the speed it travels
- If you are caught in a current, float on your back feet first, and go with the current. Don’t panic
- Check the depth of the water and look for submerged objects by using a stick
- Don’t jump or dive into the water
- Enter water slowly and feet first
- Take care of slippery or uneven surfaces around or in the water
- Actively supervise children around water
- Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back
- When on a large property, create a “child safe area” to isolate children from water sources
- Take a phone with you
- Learn lifesaving skills
New Year’s Eve safety
THIS holiday season in particular, please always supervise young children around water, Ms Peden said.
“If you’re at a gathering, don’t just assume someone else is watching the children,” she urged.
“Stay close and within arm’s reach when children are in and around water.”
Ms Peden said alcohol was a big issue around water and could lead to serious injury or drowning.
“If you’re around the water this New Year’s Eve and plan on having a few drinks, enjoy the water first and don’t go back in after you’ve been drinking,” she said.
“Look out for your mates and don’t let things get out of hand.
“If you’re in an unfamiliar location, ask locals where the best place to swim is.
“If you’re on the coast, make sure to always swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, during patrol times.”
Ms Peden urged people to always wear a lifejacket when boating or using watercraft.
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
