Australia news This article is more than 1 year oldSurf lifesavers warn of another deadly summer after two drown on Christmas Day
This article is more than 1 year oldWith reports of surf lifesaving rescues up in some states, there are fears of a repeat of last summer, when 145 people drowned
Australians are being urged to be safe in the water this week, as the country enters the most dangerous time of the year for fatal drownings.
Two swimmers drowned on Christmas Day – a 36-year-old man in Sydney and a 19-year-old in Lorne in Victoria – and police divers in Western Australia are searching Black Diamond Lake near Collie in the state’s south-west after a 30-year-old man did not return from a swim.
The Royal Life Saving Society said they do not want to see this summer become a repeat of last year, when 145 people drowned, making it the worst summer in more than 20 years.
Spokesman RJ Houston said the week between Christmas and new year is often the deadliest period for drowning deaths, and the summer heatwave may make matters worse.
“There have been 11 drownings this summer so far including two on Christmas Day,” Houston said.
“It’s not as high as it was [at this time] last summer but we’re concerned about the heatwave across the southern states now – we don’t want last summer’s tragedy to be repeated.”
Of the 11 deaths, 10 have been males, just over half were people aged over 18, and alcohol was a factor in one in four cases, Houston said.
He added that children may be at increased risk this year because they have missed several years of swimming lessons and regular beach outings due to the pandemic.
“Children should be able to swim a lap of 50 metre pool by the time they leave primary school and we know 40% currently can’t,” Houston said.
Parents are advised to keep constant watch of children in or near the water, to designate an adult supervisor at parties and recognise whether their child’s swimming skills may not be up to scratch. A momentary distraction by looking at their phone could prove fatal, Houston said.
He added that swimmers should also avoid alcohol around the water, and be wary of changes to inland waterways due to flooding. Wearing a lifejacket was also essential if you are boating or fishing.
“Wear the lifejacket, even if you think it’s silly,” he said.
“It just takes a bump or a king wave to knock everyone off the boat – and lay off the booze until you’re back on dry land.”
In some parts of the country, lifeguards are reporting a busier than usual start to summer. Life Saving Victoria said they performed 102 rescues at patrolled beaches this month, compared to 30 rescues during the same period in 2021.
“After flood events have devastated communities across the state, people are flocking to our coastline to enjoy the water, which may have contributed to the higher number of rescues,” Victorian general manager of lifesaving services, Liam Krige, said.
“Any body of water can pose a threat so please, make safe decisions whenever you are in, on or around water, such as never swimming alone, ensuring children are actively supervised.
That means keeping children under the age of five within arms reach, and children under the age of 10 “in your constant and direct eyeline”, he said.
– With AAP
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