2024 APOLA Conference to argue for investment in drowning prevention

With professional lifeguards concerned at the high level of ocean and open water drownings, the annual conference of the Australian Professional and Ocean Lifeguards Association (APOLA) is to raise questions and discuss how monies are spent in the name of water safety for drowning prevention.

With the theme ‘Investing in Drowning Prevention’, the conference is being held Park Beach, Coffs Harbour on Friday 3rd May.

In a statement explaining the issues that the conference will address, APOLA advise “it is no secret that death rates from accidental drowning have never been higher and questions about how monies are spent in the name of water safety for drowning prevention need to be discussed.

“Investing in proven drowning prevention strategies is the obvious way to go, however are decision makers with the capacity to wisely invest public funds prepared to listen to experienced experts without being unduly influenced by a lot of political white noise and non-proven assumptions?

“The facts (statistics) confirm that effective supervision and education for water survival is obviously where investment should occur - but is this happening?”

The single day Conference and Workshop will be of interest not only for lifeguards and others with a brief in managing risk and safety in public open space including beaches, pools and other waterways, but also others involved in safety education for people choosing to visit these aquatic locations.

Registrations close Friday 26th April 2024.

Click here for details on the APOLA Conference in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Coffs Harbour City Council.