Swim safe this summer: follow these tips to avoid risks in the water
Heading to the beach, pool, river, lake or other waterhole for a dip is one of the joys of the Australian summer. Luckily for us, Victoria also offers some of the best swimming spots in the world.
However, cooling off in the water requires caution or else it can end in tragedy.
As we prepare to celebrate Australia Day and head into the hottest months of the year, please educate yourself about the risks of injury and drowning, and know how to make sensible decisions and avoid peer pressure. It may save your life – or that of someone you care about.
Know the risks before you dive in
- Only swim at a patrolled beach with other people, and always stay between the red and yellow flags. The BeachSafe website and app show nearby patrolled beaches and where there might be hazards in the water.
- If you’re a weak swimmer or someone in your group is, choose a council pool with a lifeguard on duty instead of the beach, or use lifejackets.
- Rips are the number one beach hazard, and they can be unpredictable and dangerous even for confident swimmers. Do you know how to recognise a rip and what to do if you’re caught in one?
- Know your limits. You may think you’re capable in the water but don’t overestimate your abilities. Veteran lifesaver Dr Shayne Baker says that a strong swimmer is someone who swims at least 12–16 kilometres a week.
- Never swim after you’ve had alcohol or drugs. Research by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia found 40% of the men who fatally drowned in the past decade had drugs or alcohol in their systems.
- If someone you’re with gets into trouble, seek expert help and don’t try to rescue them yourself. Bystander rescues often involve the death of both the person attempting the rescue and the person in trouble.
- Learn first aid. Australians have low rates of CPR knowledge, so empower yourself by doing a short course through DUSA or organisations like the Australian Red Cross and St John Ambulance Australia.
- Be Sunsmart. Don’t get complacent with sun protection – the UV rays can get very dangerously high in Australia during the summer months, resulting in painful sunburns. As well as being an uncomfortable, peeling mess for a few days, you’re also putting yourself at risk of developing skin cancer – which can happen at any age. Find out how to protect yourself from Australia’s most common form of cancer while still enjoying the great outdoors.