400 Australian swim schools unite to create a SwimSAFER nation

More than 400 Swim Australia registered Swim Schools are currently participating in EnergyAustralia SwimSAFER Week, which aims to increase watersafety awareness and reduce aquatic tragedies.

Being held from Monday 24th to 30th November, the national initiative is teaching students learn-to-swim skills and water safety activities at registered centres across Australia - with teachers promoting the importance of having an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and how to perform compression-only CPR.

While recent research shows a small decline in drowning deaths, Swim Australia Chief Executive Ross Gage explained “every drowning is a tragedy, is potentially avoidable, and is one too many.”

Between 1st July 2013 and 30th June 2014, 20 children aged four years or younger drowned in Australia, with 70% of these drowning deaths occurring in swimming pools.

Haydn Belshaw, General Manager of Aquabliss Swim Schools, which is hosting EnergyAustralia Swim SAFER lessons at its centres in Pymble, Wenona and Roseville on Sydney's North Shore, NSW adds "although year-round swimming lessons are important, summer is still the nation’s peak drowning season, so on the eve of Summer, there’s never been a better time to remind people about how to SwimSAFER, and respond to a water-related accident."

“Accidents can and do happen, even to the most cautious of families.

"However, if all Aussies apply the 'Layers of Protection' - Be Aware, Be Secure, Be Confident and Be Prepared - then we should be able to reduce drowning deaths."

The leading learn-to-swim authority said, while swimming remained one of the country’s favourite past times, accidental childhood drowning claimed more young lives than any other cause.

Gage continues "kids can drown without a sound, in seconds, and in just centimetres of water, no matter the environment.

"Seconds count (and) any delay in aiding a drowning person could mean the difference between life, death or a lifealtering condition."

Statistics show, for every child who drowns, up to 10 children are admitted to hospital as a result of a non-fatal drowning incident. Unfortunately, almost 25% of these children will experience some form of lifelong, permanent brain damage.

EnergyAustralia General Manager, Sales and Marketing Michelle Monaghan encourages families to get involved in their local EnergyAustralia SwimSAFER Week concluding “we believe it’s important to educate Australian families about the risks that can occur in and around the water.

“By participating in EnergyAustralia Swim SAFER Week we hope to better prepare families so they’ll be safer, no matter the season.”

Some vital Emergency Action Plan tips to apply this season include:

• If a child is missing, check all water hazards first, including in pools and under any pool covers, dams, creeks and other aquatic areas, as well as buckets, bird baths, and animal water troughs;
• Always have a first aid kit on hand;
• Know emergency numbers 000 for landlines and 112 for a mobile; and
• Be on top of CPR techniques and accreditation.

Click here for more information on EnergyAustralia SwimSAFER Week.

For more information on Aquabliss go to www.aquabliss.com.au

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