Swimming is a skill that can save your life. Living in such a warm country which is surrounded by vast coastline, it is almost impossible to not come across an aquatic environment at some stage in your life. You simply can’t avoid water, which is why it is imperative that we all learn how to swim.
Royal Lifesaving Australia have released their annual national drowning report.
Over the past year, 249 people drowned in Australia and an estimated 551 people were hospitalised for non-fatal drowning. Of those who tragically lost their lives, 72% were male and 28% were female.
This may come as a surprise for some but the leading location for these drownings was inland water ways, with rivers, streams and creeks accounting for 25% of deaths last year.
Unfortunately, too many Australian’s adopt the “this would never happen to me” attitude to drowning and don’t equip themselves or their children with the necessary water safety skills. A fall into the water was the primary cause of drowning deaths in children under five. Many of these children had no intention of swimming and weren’t directly in the water to begin with.
Sadly, we can’t always be there for our children. At some point, they must go off to school camp or are invited for a weekend away with friends. Does your child know how to call for help when they are in trouble? Can they roll and float on their back or swim safely to the edge?
Drowning deaths of children aged 0-4 years decreased by 38% from the previous year and we hope this percentage continues to decrease in the future. Backyard swimming pools accounted for the highest number of drowning deaths in toddlers. At Just Swimming we understand the importance of infant water safety and now offer free swimming lessons for infants between 4-6 months.
Royal Lifesaving Australia’s Keep Watch Program encourages the following four actions for safer swimming this Summer:
- Supervision
Whether you’re an Olympic swimmer or just starting out no one should ever swim alone - Restrict Access
Ensure that backyard pools are secure and all buckets, baths and sinks are free from water (REMEMBER: Toddlers can drown in as little as 3cm of water) - Water Awareness
Equip yourself and your children with vital swimming and water safety skills, check for currents and rips and wear a life jacket - Learn Resuscitation
It is encouraged that all adults over the age of 18 learn CPR
