Learn how to stay safe when swimming in Australian waters
As part of Out and About, we’re all about supporting your wellbeing beyond the classroom – and that includes enjoying the outdoors while staying safe in the water.
Summer in Australia is made for swimming. Beaches, pools, rivers, lakes – if there’s water, chances are you’re keen to jump in. Whether it’s a full beach day with friends or a quick dip to cool down, swimming is a big part of how we do summer.
But here’s the thing. Enjoying the water safely takes more than confidence and good vibes. Choosing safe places to swim, sticking between the flags, staying alert to risks and looking out for the people you’re with can seriously change outcomes.
With the hottest months at our doorstep, now’s a good time to brush up on water safety. A bit of knowledge before you dive in could save your life – or someone else’s.
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. They’re there for a reason. The BeachSafe website and app can help you find nearby patrolled beaches and flag potential hazards in the water.
- If you’re not a strong swimmer, or someone in your group isn’t, a council pool with a lifeguard on duty is a safer option than the beach. Lifejackets are also a smart choice in open water if you do choose to swim at the beach instead.
- Rips are the number one beach hazard in Australia. They can be hard to spot and dangerous even if you’re a confident swimmer. Knowing how to recognise a rip and what to do if you’re caught in one could save your life.
- Know your limits. It’s easy to overestimate your ability in the water. Veteran lifesaver Dr Shayne Baker says that a strong swimmer is someone who swims at least 12–16 kilometres a week. If that’s not you, that’s okay – just swim accordingly.
- Never swim after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Research conducted by Life Saving Victoria found that 30% of fatal drownings among people aged 15 and over in the past decade involved alcohol or drugs. Even a small amount can affect judgement, balance and reaction time.
- If someone you’re with gets into trouble, get expert help straight away and don’t attempt a rescue yourself. Bystander rescues often result in both the rescuer and the person in trouble losing their lives.
- 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.
This summer and beyond, Out and About encourages you to stay active, spend time outdoors and build healthy routines that fit around student life. Making safe choices in the water means you can enjoy swimming, look out for your mates and make the most of being out and about.