Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Drownings highlight need for education on rip currents

Drownings highlight need for education on rip currents
February 11, 2023

In a week during which several people have drowned after getting caught in rip currents at unpatrolled beaches, the need for public awareness about coastal dangers has once again been raised.

19 drownings on the NSW coastline this summer, the highest in the state’s history, have coincided with Victorian lifesavers having conducted more than 550 rescues from mid-November to the end of January, an almost 7% increase on the same period in 2021/22.

In January, Surf Life Saving Australia General Manager, Shane Daw told SBS “rip currents are the number one hazard on our beaches, and account for almost a quarter of all drowning deaths around Australia.”

Similarly, after a series of summer drownings prior to Australia Day, Surf Life Saving Queensland Regional Manager, Aaron Purchase stated "with all of the tragedies that have occurred on our beaches, they've been away from the flagged areas which makes it so much harder for lifesavers and lifeguards to be able to respond.

"We understand that the flagged areas can get busy but they really are the safest spot on the beaches to swim."

While surf lifesavers urge people to swim between the flags, that advice only applies to patrolled beaches.

Acknowledging this, the Beach Safety Research Group at the University of NSW advises “it is well established that the vast majority of drowning fatalities on Australian beaches occur on unpatrolled beaches (places with no lifeguard/lifesaver services), at distances more than 1 km away from lifeguard/lifesaver services, or outside of patrol times.”

Advancing a complementary message, the Float to Survive initiative is being piloted in the NSW local government areas of Randwick City and Waverley this summer.

Developed by Bruce 'Hoppo' Hopkins and Craig Riddington of Surf Educators International (SEI) in partnership with the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group and backed by the Australian Pool and Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA), Float to Survive calls for immediate change in how swimmers are advised to act when caught in an ocean rip by advocating floating, which minimises drowning risks by conserving energy and placing a person in a better position to breathe.

Randwick City and Waverley Council’s are promoting Float to Survive through text messages and advertisements on bus shelters and in local cinemas to target visitors at some of  Sydney’s busiest beaches including Bondi, Coogee and Maroubra.

A mural promoting Float to Survive has also been painted on the promenade wall at Bondi Beach.

Hopkins, who is also President of APOLA and Waverley Council’s Head Lifeguard, expresses frustration that Australia’s drownings numbers are increasing at a time of record funding for water safety.

Hopkins notes “obviously we are missing something.

“Going back to basics is the answer.

“Educating people to stop swimming and float when they get in trouble should be our national water safety message.

“I’ve seen too many drownings where people struggle and use all their energy and drown because they can’t keep their head above the water. We have to educate people to resist their instinct to struggle and fight the water and simply float.”

World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2023
To be hosted by Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia, the International Lifesaving Federation's (ILS) World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP) is to be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4th to 7th December 2023.

Click here for more information on WCDP in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

For more information on Float to Survive go to www.floattosurvive.com.au

Images: Surf Life Saving Australia acknowledge that “rip currents are the number one hazard on our beaches" (top), Float to Survive promoted on a Sydney Eastern Suburbs bus stop (middle, credit: Ken Holloway) and in artwork on the Bondi Beach esplanade (below, credit: Ken Holloway).

Related Articles

7th February 2023 - Surf Life Saving Australia unveils new Pride Surf Rescue Board ahead of Sydney WorldPride

6th February 2023 - Victorian surfers save hundreds from drowning each year

5th February 2023 - Avoca Beach Surf Lifesaving Club among the 26 NSW surf clubs to receive funding for upgrades

3rd February 2023 - Life Saving Victoria warns swimmers of hidden dangers beneath the surface

27th January 2023 - More than $1.3 million allocated to upgrade surf club facilities in NSW Illawarra region

23rd January 2023 - Float to Survive message demonstrated in ocean rip at Sydney’s Manly Beach

19th January 2023 - Blacktown City Council’s Swim Sense programs looks to tackle adult drowning toll

10th January 2023 - Life Saving Victoria reiterates the importance of supervision as child drowning risk identified

7th January 2023 - Renewed water safety warnings issued after Surf Life Saving NSW records staggering rescue numbers

30th December 2022 - 10 Australians dead in water accidents as water safety bodies urge caution through holidays

24th December 2022 - Aquatic industry braces for a uniquely challenging holiday season

19th December 2022 - Surfers Rescue 24/7 Program skills up Victorian surfers to protect beaches this summer

2nd December 2022 - Randwick City and Waverley councils launch Float to Survive initiative to reduce national drownings 

9th November 2022 - More than 500 children lose their lives to drowning over past two decades

23rd September 2022 - Float to Survive safety message to be trialled by Waverley and Randwick Councils

17th September 2022 - Rising drowning toll prompts AUSTSWIM to emphasise importance of educating new swimming teachers

16th September 2022 - 2021/22 drowning toll the highest in more than 25 years

9th September 2022 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins gains support for adoption of Float to Survive initiative as a national anti-drowning prevention message

2nd September 2022 - City of Canterbury Bankstown to host lessons on Float to Survive techniques

4th August 2022 - Water Safety experts gather for Sydney Summit

22nd July 2022 - Key Royal Life Saving research shows drowning risk of dams, ponds and irrigation channels

24th May 2022 - Conference sees APOLA ride a wave of change

7th May 2021 - Bruce Hopkins and Craig Riddington launch ‘Float to Survive’ water safety initiative

17th December 2020 - Surf Life Saving Australia highlight the dangers of rip currents along Australia’s coast

22nd May 2019 - Federal Government won’t deliver on APOLA funding plea to reduce drownings

29th December 2017 - School students and international tourists need to be made aware of rip current dangers

15th December 2017 - Leading professional lifeguard says swim between flags message is ‘desirable but unrealistic’

21st January 2010 - Professional Lifeguards reject ‘flawed’ SLSA Rip Campaign


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Technogym Australia

Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia  and Australia, Technogym exports its…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

TICKETSERV

As of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Sport / Ticketing

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Clubworx

Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Felton Industries

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…

read more

Parks / Play / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Parkequip

Parkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…

read more

Fitness / Parks / Play / Recreation / Surfaces

 
 

Spill Station Australia

Compliant chemical storage and decanting solutions. Includes spill kits, spill containment pallets, chemical decanting decks and safety shower and eyewash equipment. See our full range of solutions

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Security / Venues

 
 

SLE WORLDWIDE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

SLE Worldwide Australia is a Managing General Underwriter specialising in insuring risks in the world of Sports, Leisure and Entertainment. Be it relaxing, playing, organising or watching sports,…

read more

Insurance / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business