For generations Australians are known for our love and attraction to the water, whether it’s swimming, surfing, boating or just sitting in a spa, easing a few aches and pains in a hydrotherapy pool or any of the other myriad of options available.
However, water also has it’s risks and for years many Australians have learned to swim at a young age, but not all. Some have never had the opportunity to learn to swim, or even develop a lot of water safety awareness for a multitude of reasons, but it’s never too late to start and very good reasons why they should at least consider it.
Each year Royal Life Saving Australia releases a National Drowning Report that presents an analysis of the various factors involving both fatal and non-fatal drownings in Australian waterways, beaches even private pools, as any body of water can present a risk.
Year The report itself covers the period between 1st July and 30th June and already records 339 deaths to drowning and Royal life saving Australia estimates a further 686 people experienced some form of non-fatal drowning incident.
Here in the Fairfield Local Government Area the risk is as real as anywhere else in the nation. In January 2017 Nine News reported the death of two year old Henry Tran after he was found unconscious in a pond at a home in Fairfield West. The child had been taken to Westmead Children’s hospital in a critical condition but sadly passed away 10 days later.
In 2018 the Daily Telegraph reported another drowning case here in the Fairfield LGA where a young boy was pulled from the 25m pool at Prairiewood Leisure Centre, however in this case the child survived most likely due to the quick action of two lifeguards who performed CPR and were able to revive the child who was later transported by paramedics to Westmead Children’s hospital for observation.
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone was reported as saying, “We acknowledge the quick action taken by the council’s lifeguards and we wish the young boy a speedy recovery,” and “This is a timely reminder to all parents of the need to supervise their children at all times, whether they are in a public swimming pool or in their own backyard pool.”
For more information on how to keep your children or anyone safe from drowning then the Royal Lifesaving Australia website has an abundance of sound advice but here are some basic guidelines.
Learn to swim and arrange swimming lessons for your children. There is no age limit on learning to swim and it may save your life or someone else’s one day. Plus, swimming has the added benefits of being an excellent form of exercise with various therapeutic effects and that you can do at your own pace. Swimming even helps control weight, can be a great social activity and simply a lot of fun.
Unless you are at a place that has lifeguards then best to never swim alone. If however there are lifeguards then always follow their instructions and if at a beach or similar, remain between the flags.
Next, if there are safety or warning signs then do not ignore them regardless of where you are. They are there to make you alert to potential risks.
If you cannot swim then be cautious around the edge of pools, ponds, lakes, rivers or any body of water. It may seem obvious, but edges are often wet or damp and can be quite slippery and water can be deeper than it appears.
One of the most important things around water is always supervising children. Accidents happen in seconds and even the best parents can be distracted for a few moments and sometimes that’s all it takes for a fun day to turn into a tragedy. And remember, even if you are at a public pool or beach that may have lifeguards, they are not there to babysit your children and it is your responsibility. So never assume someone else is watching them.
For more information concerning anything related to water safety and regulations then contact either Royal Life Saving Australia or for more local information Fairfield city council
https://www.royallifesaving.com.au
https://www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
If you wish to enquire directly with local swimming pools and swimming lessons or any other
aquatic activities then call the following
Cabravale Leisure Centre – 9725 0335,
Fairfield Leisure Centre – 9725 0336
Prairiewood Leisure Centre – 9725 0337.
