Royal Life Saving NSW water-safety tips for 2024: What is your risk?

RLS NSW Tip-sheet for media: Who is at risk, and what can they do to enjoy the water?

Following a tragic Christmas and New Year on the water and with plenty of warm weather to come, Royal Life Saving NSW (RLS NSW) has urged people to be prepared for a safer 2024 by getting to know their risks and limitations around the water.

RLS NSW/ ACT/ TAS General Manager, Drowning Prevention and Education, Craig Roberts said last summer, 17 per cent of all drownings took place during heatwaves and weekends, and cautioned against complacency for the months ahead with a reminder to learn the risks and limitations that apply to you.

“Last summer, 100 per cent of drowning deaths were in unpatrolled areas, and of all drownings, 83 per cent were men. Last summer’s drowning toll set a tragic record, and this summer is already on track to surpassing that, with 42 tragedies in Australian inland and coastal waterways since 1st December,” Mr Roberts said.

“Our hearts go out to those families affected by recent tragedies. We hope they are seeking and receiving the support they need at this time as we urge people to continue to exercise caution. “Royal Life Saving NSW five key safety reminders are to know your limitations and know the risks, never go alone, wear a life jacket when on the water and fishing, avoid alcohol and actively supervise children at all times.

“Knowing your limitations applies to all of us in different ways.

“With floods and heatwaves changing inland waterways, and people accessing unpatrolled areas, it’s more important than ever to know your risk factors, to really know your abilities and limitations to manage those risks, and understand how you can be better prepared.

Knowing your limitations can help avoid drowning risks for all ages and stages of life:

• “Older adults – represented a 64% increase in drowning deaths last year. For over 65s, get to know your health and fitness levels in different conditions, check medications and any medical conditions before you go.
• “Men – are still the greatest risk of drowning, representing 83% of the drowning toll. Understanding your swim and survival skills, avoiding alcohol and any water activity, wearing life jackets their swim and survival skills may be different on land, in water, and between pools, surf and rivers (men are still 83 per cent of the drowning toll)
• “By-standers, friends, family members – Tragically 5% of last year’s drowning toll were rescue attempts, so knowing your ability to help someone in trouble, and avoid getting into trouble yourself by learning or brushing up on CPR, and water-safety and rescue skills. Keep swimming lessons ongoing (adults and kids) to maintain water survival skills.
• “Children – Pools are the leading site of drowning among children under five. Keep children enrolled in regular and ongoing swimming lessons to maintain their skills, keep active watch (whin arm’s reach) of kids under five at all times and know the abilities of older children.

“We are lucky to have so many ways to enjoy the water in NSW – whether fishing, cooling off in a pool, gathering at a river, lake or beach, you can make the most of these wonderful community assets by learning the risks.

“Socialising in and around the water is part of our summer way of life and whether you’re fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking or playing on shore, being prepared is the key to making the most of this time with family and friends,” Mr Roberts said.

As the leading organisation for drowning prevention Royal Life Saving has been teaching swim teachers, training lifeguards, teaching CPR, and working with community and government groups to provide water safety skills and drowning prevention programs to communities at risk for 130 years. Social media assets and printable materials targeting the highest drowning risk factors are available for download at #AreYouSummerReady campaign page – www.drowningprevention.org.au/are-yousummer-ready

The latest National Drowning Report, issued in September 2023, identified an alarming increase in drownings (drowningprevention.org.au) with adult men representing 83 per cent of all drowning fatalities.

For further information please visit www.drowningprevention.org.au.

Media Factsheet

Who is most at risk, and what can they do to be prepared?

Men

Men account for 83 per cent of all drownings in Australia. Royal Life Saving encourages men to prepare for summer by learning to check in with themselves – know their abilities, learn the risks. Check in with their mates and consider learning CPR and first aid.

Over 65s

Over 65s are a growing concern, with drowning deaths representing a 43% increase on the 20-year average. Over 65s are encouraged to check their medications, check in with their doctors and check in with their health and fitness before being in or around the water.

Overseas born

35 per cent of people born overseas identify as non or poor swimmers. Even if you don’t intend to swim, adult swimming lessons are a key to keeping yourself and your family safe around the water.

Western Sydney

Eight of the state’s LGAs with highest drowning toll are in Greater Western Sydney. Royal Life Saving encourages all adults planning a trip to the beach or local waterway this summer to check in with themselves (know their swimming abilities) their family, learn water-safety and survival skills.

Regional areas

In 22-23, regional areas suffered almost double (1.7x) the rate of drownings to the rate in metropolitan areas. Be ready for this summer by learning the risks of any inland waterway, refreshing lifesaving skills, teaching your family to swim.

Children

Four out of 10 primary school- leavers are unable to tread water for two minutes. Parents are urged to teach their kids to swim, make use of the First Lap Vouchers for 3–5-year-olds, and look up SwimVac or holiday swimming programs. Parents are encouraged to learn CPR and first aid and learn or brush up on their own swimming skills.

By-standers

Last summer, five per cent of drowning deaths were attempted rescues. Consider learning or refreshing CPR training, rescue and first aid training.

Unpatrolled swimmers

100% of drowning deaths last summer occurred in unpatrolled areas. Never swim alone. Check on your health and fitness, don’t overestimate your abilities for different conditions, learn how to read the conditions, learn rescue and first aid.

Summer parties

16 per cent of all drowning fatalities involve alcohol. Check in with your mates. Agree to enjoy the water BEFORE having a drink. Last summer, 17 per cent of all drowning deaths took place during heatwave periods. Long weekends also account for major spike in drowning toll. Urge your community to learn the risks, check in with their family and friends, avoid alcohol before swimming.

Pools

Swimming pools are still the leading site of drowning among children and adults over 75 years. Prepare your home for summer by checking your gates, fences and around the home. Contact your council to ensure your pool is compliant. Keep active watch of children, staying within arm’s reach of under-fives. Older adults are encouraged to check their health and fitness before enjoying the water this summer.