According to figures from the Royal Life Saving Society, 314 Australians drowned in 2009/10 – an increase of 4% from the previous year. A staggering 33 of those were children under 5, highlighting drowning as the greatest cause of accidental death for children in Australia. Many more are left with permanent disabilities after near drowning experiences. Organisations such as the Samuel Morris Foundation are testament to this.

With 15% of drowning deaths occurring at beaches, surf safety education is a key factor in reducing the drowning toll. However, the surf safety message is not always clear. An article in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 3 September 2011 (Whirl of Confusion About Rips) has highlighted the mixed messages being pushed on the public; Surf Life Saving Australia has long advocated the “Swim Parallel” campaign – if you’re caught in a rip swim parallel to the shore to escape the current, while Surf Educate Australia, headed by former champion ironman Craig Riddington, teaches the importance of floatation, under the premise that most rips return to the relative safety of a sandbank.

Dyes in the water show the path of a rip current on a New South Wales beach. (Dr Rob Brander - UNSW)

For more information on rips see Science of the Surf.

While it is not my intention here to enter the surf safety debate, the article does highlight the importance of floatation as a vital water safety skill in almost any circumstance imaginable. At any age the ability to float can buy time, allowing opportunities for rescue.

Many swim schools teach comfortable floatation as the foundation of learning to swim. To that end, it is vital that children are taught to swim at a young age. Babies can be taught from as young as 6 months of age. One of the joys of teaching babies how to swim is watching the child become so relaxed and love the water so much that they just float, “hang out” and become “at one with the water” (Judy Bonning, Swimming Efficiently from the Womb to the Tomb, Swimming in Australia).

Baby Swimming - baby-pictures.org

Many parents of young children fear that enrolling in swimming lessons at a young age can give toddlers a false sense of security around water. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends swimming lessons for babies after studies showed that swimming lessons decrease the instance of children between 1 – 4 years of age drowning by up to 88% (Link).

With summer fast approaching, if you haven’t already booked your children into swimming lessons, then NOW is the time. Make sure you do your research and find a swim school that works for you. Good starting points are swim schools registered with Swim Australia or Austswim.

Swimming lessons alone will not make your child safe around the water. They will however, provide a layer of protection to help make your child safer. Swim Australia coordinates the SwimSAFER program, highlighted by the following Layers of Protection:

We believe in making children safer around the water by raising awareness and increasing education. Drowning prevention is about providing as many layers of protection as possible. If one layer fails, then there is another behind it that may save a child’s life. The SwimSAFER Layers of Protection are:

1. Adult Supervision: Constant supervision by a designated, responsible, competent and sober adult
2. Provide Barriers: Ensure your pool fence is compliant with appropriate standards. Check the fence and gate regularly. Don’t forget to keep outdoor furniture and other objects that a child might use to climb the fence out of close proximity
3. Swimming and Water Safety Skills: All children should be in swimming and water safety lessons the year round. Swimming classes teach a child to respect and enjoy the water. Choose a Swim Australia registered swim school
4. Emergency Planning: Make sure you’re prepared should the unthinkable happen. Learn CPR because in an emergency a quick response is vital

See Swim Australia for more information on the SwimSAFER Program:

Be vigilant around the water and enjoy the upcoming summer!

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