Aussies Urged To Prepare For Summer

As another scorching summer approaches, Royal Life Saving NSW (RLS NSW) is preparing communities to avoid the alarming spike in drowning incidents witnessed last year.

The leading organisation for drowning prevention, RLS NSW has issued a simple Summer-Ready Checklist of tips for a safer summer.

The Summer-Ready Checklist provides four crucial tips for Spring, whether people plan to travel to an inland waterway, to the coast, or enjoy a backyard or community pool.

RLS NSW ACT TAS General Manager of Drowning Prevention, Craig Roberts said preparation could help us avoid another tragic summer.

“Our Summer-Ready Checklist is a simple reminder of what to do before heading to the beach, coast, pool or inland waterway,” Mr Roberts said.

“In the lead-up to summer, checklists with advice for pool owners, families, regional communities and over-65s will be appearing at Councils and community organisations around the state and online.”

No matter where you go to enjoy the water, now is the time to:

• Learn to swim;
• Get active and check in with your health;
• Learn CPR; and
• Check around your home and pool.

Visit www.drowningprevention.org.au/are-you-summer-ready for more information about how to achieve these four steps.

Mr Roberts said the latest National Drowning Report found 57 per cent of drowning fatalities last year occurred in people over 45 years of age.

“The second highest cause of drowning fatalities was slips and falls,” he said.

“These tragedies are powerful reminders that even if you don’t intend to swim, learning or brushing up on swimming and lifesaving skills at any age can keep you and your family safe.

“While national drowning rates decreased in 22-23 from the ten-year average, NSW still suffers almost double the number of drownings than Queensland and Victoria and triple the rate of Western Australia with 107 lives lost.

“We want people of all ages and from all regions to be ready and able to enjoy the water safely, and that starts now.

“Check in with your family, friends, sporting and social groups to get your community summer ready.”

You may be surprised to learn who is most at risk of drowning:

• Men account for 83 per cent of all drownings in Australia.

• Over 65s are a growing concern, with drowning deaths representing a 43 per cent increase on the 20-year average.

Thirty-five per cent of people born overseas identify as non or poor swimmers.

Eight of the State’s LGAs with the highest drowning toll are in Greater Western Sydney.

In 2022-2023, regional areas suffered almost double the rate of drownings to the rate in metropolitan areas.

Four out of 10 primary school leavers are unable to tread water for two minutes.

Last summer, five per cent of drowning deaths were attempted rescues. One hundred per cent of drowning deaths last summer occurred in unpatrolled areas.

Alcohol was involved in 16 per cent of all drowning fatalities.

Last summer, 17 per cent of all drowning deaths took place during heatwave periods.

Long weekends also account for major spikes in the drowning toll.

Swimming pools are still the leading site of drowning among children and adults over 75 years of age.

Find check-in checklists at www.drowningprevention.org.au/are-you-summer-ready.

• Topics:

• Water Safety