Swim safe this summer: follow these tips to avoid risks in the water
Summer is heating up in Australia, and there’s no better way to cool off than by diving into one of our stunning beaches, pools, rivers, or lakes. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or taking a refreshing dip, it’s a quintessential part of the Aussie experience.
As we embrace the joys of the season, it’s important to remember that swimming safely requires more than just a love for the water. Finding safe places to swim, always swimming between the flags where possible, staying aware of risks, and looking out for each other can make all the difference. At the time of publishing, 41 drowning deaths have been recorded in Australia since the beginning of Summer, which begun just over a month ago.
With the hottest months of the year ahead, take the opportunity to learn how to stay safe in the water. Being prepared with the right knowledge could save your life – or the life 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 conducted by Life Saving Victoria found that 30% of fatal drownings among individuals aged 15 and older in the past decade involved the presence of 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.
- 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.
- Consider learning 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. Learning First Aid could assist you in a drowning incident and many other potential life-saving situations.