AUSTSWIM REMINDS AUSTRALIANS TO BE SAFER IN, ON AND AROUND WATER THESE EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
AUSTSWIM REMINDS AUSTRALIANS TO BE SAFER IN, ON AND AROUND WATER THESE EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
With the Easter holidays seeing Australians travel to a number of different destinations across the country, AUSTSWIM’s interim CEO Brad Maunsell is reminding Australians to be safer in, on and around water during this holiday period.
As Australian families prepare to travel inland and to coastal getaways, AUSTSWIM urges Australians to be careful around rivers/creeks, at beaches and in the ocean/harbour, as well as when out boating and on family walking/hiking trips.
During the period 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023, 27% of all drownings occurred in river/creek locations, 27% at the beach and 8% when out boating. Australians are also reminded to be careful when out walking and hiking, as 15% of drownings happened last year from falls.
Reflective of the early autumn season and the Easter school holiday season during the period of 2022/2023, 9% and 8% of drownings in Australia occurred in March and April, respectively.
AUSTSWIM continues to be committed to raising awareness around drowning prevention through the teaching of vital swimming and water safety skills.
Be Safer In, On and Around Water Easter School Holiday Tips
- Maintain constant supervision of children in the water
- Stay within reach of young children when in, on, and around water
- Remove distractions such as phones - watch your child not your phone
- Never swim alone
- Learn to swim – it's a skill for life
- Recognise and respond quickly in the event of potential risk
- Learn essential first aid skills, including CPR
- Check your pool fence
- For adults - avoid alcohol around water
- Swim at a patrolled beach and between the red and yellow flags
- Be sun smart
*Statistics from The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2023
ROYAL LIFE SAVING NATIONAL DROWNING REPORT 2023
The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2023 reveals 281 drowning deaths occurred across Australia over the 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 period. In addition to the 281 fatal drownings, on average, there are 474 non-fatal drowning incidents each year.
The report shines light and concern on the importance of learning swimming and water safety skills at any age. These statistics are a reminder to the whole community and to over 33 000 AUSTSWIM teachers currently working back-to-back shifts that they are the lifeblood of Swimming and Water Safety programs across Australia, and they teach skills for life.
ABOUT AUSTSWIM
A not-for-profit body, AUSTSWIM is Australia’s pre-eminent provider of swimming and water safety teacher training. Its licensed teachers are accredited to the ISO17024 standard and provide an essential link in drowning prevention and safer aquatic participation.
AUSTSWIM has been Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of Swimming and Water Safety since 1979. In that time, we have trained over teachers of swimming and water safety and continue to train around 10,000 candidates annually.
AUSTSWIM has developed quality aquatic education programs for those wishing to enter the aquatic industry as a Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety, together with a range of industry-leading specialist courses that will enable candidates to become well-regarded assets in their chosen fields.
The AUSTSWIM Licence is the industry standard for swimming and water safety teachers. It is delivered and recognised in each state and territory of Australia, as well as in many countries overseas.
The AUSTSWIM Teacher licence is the most well-known, widely recognised and regarded accreditation in the industry.
For further information, please contact:
Jade Hanson
Head of Marketing, Communication and Brand
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