The new Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 has been launched by the Hon Mark Coulton, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government on behalf of Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Minister for Sport in conjunction with the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) today at Parliament House, Canberra. Each year more than 280 people die due to drowning, with many more admitted to hospital following a non-fatal drowning incident. 41% of drowning occurs in coastal environments (beaches, ocean and rocks), 36% in rivers and lakes, and 61% outside of major cities. Males drown at a rate four times that of females and one-year-old toddlers record the highest drowning rate of any age. The Australian Water Safety Strategy (AWSS) plays an essential role in National, State and Territory, and community approaches to preventing drowning and promoting safe use of the nation’s waterways and swimming pools. It outlines priority areas where Australia’s peak water safety bodies Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving, and AWSC Members can work together to prevent drowning on beaches, at rivers and lakes, and in swimming pools across Australia. In launching the Australian Water Safety Strategy, Justin Scarr, Convenor of the Australian Water Safety Council says, “The previous Australian Water Safety Strategy proved effective with the fatal drowning rate reducing by 26% over the last ten years and drowning in children aged 0-4 years reducing by 50%, however drowning remains unacceptably high, impacting more than 280 families each year”. Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck says there was more work to be done to ensure all Australians are safe in the water. “I applaud the Australian Water Safety Council for its commitment to reducing drowning by 50 per cent by 2030,” Minister Colbeck says. “Every drowning prevented or avoided is another family which doesn’t have to face the heartbreak of losing a loved one.” This new Australian Water Safety Strategy seeks to raise awareness about non-fatal drowning incidents, encourage communities to create local water safety plans and promote access to swimming and water safety skills for all Australians, including refugees, migrants and those living in regional areas. “Being able to swim for fun, fitness or health is a great Australian past-time and is a skill that is essential for drowning prevention. The Australian Water Safety Strategy seeks to help all Australians to learn swimming and water safety skills, irrespective of where they live” Mr Scarr Says. In addition to skills, the Australian Water Safety Strategy promotes the importance of frontline water safety services, including volunteer surf lifesavers, lifeguards, and swimming instructors. “The Strategy encourages extension of services, as well as innovative approaches such as the use of drones and emergency stations in remote locations” Mr Scarr says. “Water safety is everyone’s responsibility and the strategy outlines what water safety organisations, councils and community members can do to help. We acknowledge the long-standing support of the Federal Government in reducing drowning in Australia. We have some of the lowest drowning rates in the world but still every drowning is tragic and preventable.” The Australian Water Safety Council was formed in 1998 and provides a forum for collaboration among peak water safety organisations, conducts regular conferences, workshops and symposiums, and develops, monitors and evaluates progress of the Australian Water Safety Strategy. For more information on the Australian Water Safety Council and to download a copy of the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030, visit www.watersafety.com.au Key findings – Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 For every fatal drowning, there are three non-fatal drowning incidents Males drown at a rate 4 times that of females One-year-old toddlers record the highest drowning rate of any age Rivers and lakes account for 36% of drowning deaths Coastal environments (beaches, ocean and rock) account for 41% of drowning deaths 23% of drowning deaths occur while swimming and recreating 61% of drowning deaths occur outside of major cities Fatal drowning rate has reduced by 26% over the last ten years Child (0-4 years) fatal drowning rate has reduced by 50% over the last ten years To stay safe around water, the Australian Water Safety Council urge all Australians to: Supervise children at all times in, on and around water Learn swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags Avoid alcohol and drugs around water Media enquiries to Media Key on 03 9769 6488. A range of spokespeople, including Justin Scarr, Convenor of the Australian Water Safety Council will be available for comment.

Royal Life Saving research shows that 36 people drowned in public and commercial swimming pools in Australia between 2005 and 2015. The leading age group for drowning was children at 19% of fatal drownings. Among drowning deaths involving children aged 0-14 years, there was no parental or carer supervision in 78% of the cases. ​ Even more worrying is the 257 non-fatal drownings in public pools across the same period, of which 45% of drownings were children aged 0-4 years, followed by 21% of drownings being children aged 5-9 years. Key risk factors include: ​ A lack of active supervision by parents or carers of children A lack of swimming and water safety skills

Even though people often assume that the waters in and around Australia are warm, there are many places where the water is cold for a large portion of the year. The extreme effects of cold water on the body and its ability to function means there is an increased risk of drowning. Whilst swimming in winter is uncommon, other aquatic activities like boating and fishing are popular year round. Drowning is still a risk, even when victims had no intention to go in the water. Lifejackets increase the chance of survival when immersed in cold water. Lifejackets keep people afloat and help them retain heat until rescued. Accidental falls into water are, surprisingly, one of the leading causes for drowning deaths. Slippery banks, poor weather conditions and alcohol are all factors which can contribute to falls into water. Alcohol increases your chance of getting hypothermia. In cold situations, the body will attempt to draw blood away from the limbs and to the vital organs to prevent heat loss. Alcohol, however, prevents this and therefore increases the chance of hypothermia There are three phases of the body’s response to cold water immersion Phase 1 Initial immersion and cold shock response Occurs within the first 1 to 4 minutes Increase in metabolism Rapid skin cooling initiates immediate gasp response, inability to hold breath and hyperventilation Phase 2 Short term immersion and loss of performance Significant cooling of peripheral tissues, especially in the extremities, continues with most of the effects occurring over the first 30 minutes Phase 3 Long term immersion and the onset of hypothermia Continuous heat loss from the body eventually decreases core temperature Hypothermia usually only becomes a contributor to death if immersion lasts for more than 30 minutes SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES The key to cold water survival is to conserve body heat. If you find yourself unexpectedly immersed in cold water, discard only heavy garments. Clothing, particularly protective clothing, will help prevent the loss of body heat. Ordinary clothing can reduce the cooling rate by 50%. It is important to retain head covering because a large proportion of heat is lost via the head. Stay calm, rapid movement causes faster heat loss. Stay afloat on your back and hold any buoyant object if available. Adopt the ‘Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) technique’ by drawing your knees to your chin, keeping your legs together, pressing both arms against your side and keeping your head out of the water. Signal for help by raising one arm above the head with an open hand, shout for help and stay calm. ASSISTING SOMEONE IN TROUBLE The key factor in a rescue is self-preservation. Always ensure safety to yourself and don’t put yourself in danger. Shout for assistance and phone emergency services on 000 Talk to them, reassure and signal to assist Try and reach them from the land by lying chest down on the ground, reach out with a solid object such as a branch, post or umbrella Throw a buoyant aid such as a lifejacket or a rescue ring DROWNING PREVENTION TIPS Be prepared – Check the weather report and monitor the conditions of the water before going out Always wear a lifejacket when boating or in a watercraft – Ensure that lifejackets are worn by all people on board, are properly fitted and regularly serviced Never go alone – Always go with someone else and inform others of your destination and when you intend to return, particularly in remote locations Avoid alcohol around water – Alcohol impairs judgement and increases risk-taking behaviour, affects coordination and reaction time, making it difficult to get out of trouble

Have you checked your teaching equipment recently? Equipment, such as kickboards, noodles, lifejackets and small toys, needs to be maintained constantly. Make sure you throw away and replace equipment that has perished, cracked or broken, or gone mouldy to keep everyone safe. Clean equipment regularly and ensure it is completely dry before storing.

When teaching back floating to a hesitant or nervous students, position yourself behind them. This helps to provide sufficient support on the shoulder blades, while maintaining eye contact and providing reassurance. It also encourages students to hold a good and relaxed floating body position with the eyes looking upwards.

Body language is very important to students and parents. A look of disinterest or boredom can easily portray negativity to your students, parents and onlookers. Parents cannot always hear what you are saying so they assess the class by what they observe. This also extends to correct terminology and appropriate language. Choose your words carefully and ensure they are appropriate and relevant to the class participants. Actions such as folding your arms, looking at the clock, looking or staring at other people, being interested in another class or activity happening elsewhere, are examples of negative body language. You should show your class attentiveness, active listening and overall interest. Smiling, actively teaching, talking to your students about the activity or skill, ensuring you are paying full attention to your students, are examples of positive body language. Positive body language contributes to a students’ engagement and learning. You are responsible for the supervision and instruction of all your participants in your class whilst they are under your Duty of Care

Australians aged 45 years and over are being encouraged to consult their doctor before enjoying the health benefits of swimming to prevent drowning deaths involving people with pre-existing conditions. ​ Royal Life Saving New South Wales (NSW) together with the NSW Government has launched a Swim Ready initiative to educate and raise awareness among people aged over 45 years about the link between the use of medication and an increased risk of drowning. Over the past 17 years, 843 people aged 45 years and over lost their lives to drowning in NSW. Of these, 55% involved people with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, mental health and dementia. ​ All medication has possible side effects that can have an impact on exercise. This can put people at higher risk of drowning when participating in aquatic activities. For example, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, headaches, confusion, blurred vision and muscle pain, can all affect a person’s capacity to stay safe in water. Drowning data from 2008/09 to 2017/18 suggests that, for unintentional fatal drownings in older people, an estimated 36% were taking some form of medication or drug. Of these, 65% of drownings involved multiple drugs. “More and more Australians are enjoying the health benefits of swimming later in life. Our Swim Ready initiative highlights our commitment to encouraging active lifestyles while ensuring everyone stays safe while they are in the water.” Michael Ilinsky, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Life Saving NSW. ​ Office of Sport Acting chief executive officer Karen Jones said swimming was a fantastic activity for people of all ages but insisted everyone is Swim Ready. “I encourage everyone to swim in a safe and responsible manner, and enjoy the health benefits that it brings,” Ms Jones said. “Swimming should be done in consideration of any pre-existing health conditions that can create a drowning risk.” ​ As people age, changes occur in the way their bodies process medications, and the benefit/risk profile of a medication can change. ​ Chronic medical conditions are more common in ageing populations which means older people are more likely to be prescribed several medications. Multiple drug interactions can be complex and can increase the incidence of side effects in older individuals, which can increase the risk of drowning in this group.