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The ‘Float to Survive’ safety message proposed by Bruce Hopkins and Ken Holloway of Surf Educators Australia and the Australian Pool and Ocean Lifeguard Association Incorporated (APOLA) is to be trialled on popular Sydney beaches in the Waverley and Randwick Council local government areas during the 2022/23 summer.

This message will be promoted alongside the traditional beach safety message of ‘always swim between the red and yellow flags’, with development and promotion of the campaign will be a collaborative effort between Surf Educators International (SEI)/APOLA, Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) and the two councils.

A communication from surf safety expert Professor Rob Brander of the University of NSW Beach Safety Research Group on the trial has advised “at this stage, it is not known what form this pilot safety intervention will take, but will likely involve visual and text-based safety information presented in physical poster/billboard form located at beaches, public transport locations, public venues, within brochures; and digital formats including various social media platforms and as part of a short public service announcement at movie theatres.

“Dissemination of the campaign will be restricted to within the Randwick/Waverley LGA’s at summer dates to be determined (while) the budget to support the campaign has yet to be determined.”

UNSW Beach Safety Research Group proposes study to evaluate Float to Survive message
Stakeholder and potential governmental support for Float to Survive, discussed at a meeting convened by Randwick City Council on 23rd August looks set to advance with a further meeting of parties on Friday 30th September 2022.

From initial discussions, Professor Brander has developed a proposal for his UNSW Beach Safety Research Group to undertake a study to evaluate Float to Survive message.

Explaining this, Professor Brander stated “it should be noted that while the ‘Float to Survive’ campaign applies to all waterways, in this case the focus will be on beaches. 

“It could/should be extended to rock platforms, however this application may prove difficult due to the logistical difficulties of rock fishing (location, demographics), which is the primary use of these environments.”

The overall goal of an evaluation of the ‘Float to Survive’ message would to see if the campaign/message:

i)  Is recognised, understood and recalled by the general public/beachgoers; and
ii) Has altered public/beachgoer self-reported knowledge and behaviour in relation to how to react if they find themselves in trouble in the water.

Outcomes would allow comment on whether the promotional campaign was successful in terms of improving beachgoer awareness of the message by comparing responses from those who live in the Randwick and Waverley local government areas or travel there when compared to those who do not.

The UNSW Beach Safety Research Group at is a multidisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners dedicated to keeping people safe at the beach.

Image: Rip at Bondi Beach. Credit: Professor Rob Brander.

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