Summit to reveal progress in halving drowning deaths

The Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) has announced that the 2014 National Drowning Prevention Summit will be held in Sydney on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th August.

Held every two years, the 2014 Summit will bring a vital focus to the AWSC’s goal of ‘Reducing drowning deaths by 50% by 2020’ and provide an update on the achievements of the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012/15 - released at the 2012 Summit.

The Summit will include a series of symposiums at which those working in the water safety and drowning prevention sector to review the progress of the 2012/15 Strategy, with the expectation that the Summit will identify the critical steps needed to achieve this goal.

Specific sessions will address issues including:

• Children aged 0 to 14 - are home pool legislative changes enough? Swimming - why do some kids still miss out?
• People aged 55+ - in the midst of the population bubble - what do we do?
• Watercraft and Recreational Aquatic Activities - what are the key lessons from across Australia?
• Alcohol and Drug Related Drowning Deaths - sunscreen - check, togs - check, medication - check, esky - check?
• High Risk Populations - lessons from Aboriginal Torres Straight Islanders, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Rural and Remote Communities.

The AWSC invites everyone with a commitment to reducing drowning through research, policy or practice, specifically:

• Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Organisations
• State and Territory Water Safety Council Members
• Policy Makers at all levels of Government
• Local Government Representatives
• Managers of Aquatic Venues
• Researchers and Students
• Community Health Professionals
• Lifesavers, Lifeguards, Swimming and Water Safety Instructors
• Rescue and Emergency Services Personnel

The event is being held at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour in Sydney.

For more information contact the Australian Water Safety Council, c/o Royal Life Saving Society - Australia on 02 8217 3111.

The event website is at www.watersafety.com.au/Events/2014Summit