AusLeisure

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 SwimSAFER 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 SwimSAFER 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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6th May 2014 - HARRY GALLAGHER SHARES CAREER INSIGHTS WITH LEADING SWIMMING TEACHERS 

26th November 2013 - ONE IN FOUR POMS PEE IN PUBLIC POOLS

26th November 2013 - SWIMSAFER WEEK TO COMBAT DROWNING DEATHS

4th November 2013 - PARENTS VALUE SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY LESSONS ABOVE OTHER OUT-OF-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 

5th June 2013 - SWIM AUSTRALIA AWARDS TOP SWIM SCHOOLS 

13th August 2012 - SWIM AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES ACCREDITATION INITIATIVE FOR AUSTRALIAN SWIM SCHOOLS

1st September 2010 - INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ASCTA CHIEF EXECUTIVE 

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Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.