Australian drownings rise through summer

New figures released by Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) show that 47 people have drowned since the start of December in Australian waterways.

With every drowning preventable, Royal Life Saving urges all Australians to be safe when enjoying the water this Australia Day long weekend.

RLSSA Chief Executive Justin Scarr says "we traditionally see a spike in drownings across the warmer months and the holiday period when more people are recreating around water. Unfortunately, so far this summer we have seen 47 drowning deaths. We urge everyone celebrating this Australia Day long weekend to look after each other and help us prevent any further drowning deaths this Summer."

Royal Life Saving urges all Australians to ensure young children are always actively supervised and are within arms' reach at all times. Ensure you have a correctly installed and regularly maintained pool fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate.

Scarr adds "we're urging everyone to have fun in and around the water this long weekend, but use common sense and to be particularly vigilant whenever young children are around the water."

Between 1st December 2013 and 22nd January 2014, Royal Life Saving has recorded 47 drowning deaths. These interim figures appear to be on track to record a lower number of drowning deaths than the previous summer which recorded 64 drowning deaths between 1st December 2012 and 31st January 2013.

Paying particular attention, Scarr states "children drown quickly and silently, it is important that children are actively supervised within arms' reach at all times. Ensure the home swimming pool is fenced with a correctly installed and regularly maintained pool fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Every year in Australia, children drown in unfenced pools or pools where gates have been propped open."

Supervision of young children is also key at family, social and community gatherings over this long weekend, with Scarr highlighting "young children have drowned when their parents mistakenly thought someone else was supervising. Parents and carers of young children should always 'Keep Watch', ensure there is a designated adult supervisor watching at all times and to ensure the person supervising has not been drinking alcohol."

Men are again dominating the drowning statistics over this summer period, with 87% of all drowning deaths recorded across summer to date being males. This reflects national annual trends that find men drown at 4.5 times the rate of women.

On this statistic Scarr states "men need to stop taking unnecessary risks when swimming, fishing or boating across this Australia Day long weekend. Don't go swimming if you've been drinking, wear PFDs and look after each other when recreating."

With alcohol likely to play a role in many people's Australia Day celebrations Royal Life Saving is also warning of the increased risk of drowning people put themselves at if they recreate under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs can impair judgement and coordination, and reduce the effectiveness of CPR.

There have been a number of watercraft related drowning deaths so far this summer. RLSSA is reminding boaters to always wear PFDs when on the water, carry EPIRBS, observe speed limits, be aware of the weather conditions and tell someone where you are going and when you are due back. Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For those heading to unfamiliar aquatic locations over the Australia Day long weekend, Royal Life urges ensuring warning signs are observed and that people are aware of the conditions before entering the water. Never swim alone and if visiting the beach ensure you swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags.

Scarr concludes "we don't want to see any more families or communities suffer the tragic loss of a loved one to drowning. We can all work together to ensure there are no drowning deaths across the Australia Day long weekend with a bit of common sense and vigilant supervision of young children."

For more information on water safety and drowning prevention strategies should go to www.royallifesaving.com.au

Lower image shows Royal Life Saving's Swim and Survive campaign. 

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