Drowning Risk Triples on Public Holidays. Stay Safe this Easter
Last year 13 people fatally drowned at Easter (the highest number of Easter drownings on record), including two people washed off rocks at Punchbowl near San Remo.
Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is calling on the community to be prepared and alert for the upcoming holiday period, following a tragic Easter long weekend last year.
Thirteen people fatally drowned in multiple incidents across the country, the highest number of Easter drowning deaths on record.
This included two people who were washed off rocks at Punchbowl near San Remo.
Nationally, more than 120 lives have been lost to drowning over the past 20 years during the Easter period, with drowning rates roughly tripling over public holidays.
The majority of drowning incidents occur at unpatrolled locations without volunteer lifesavers or paid lifeguards to assist people in distress. Inland waterways such as lakes, rivers and dams are common settings for fatal drownings, as are private swimming pools.
LSV advises that variable conditions are forecast across Victorian coastal locations. Check the Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au) and the Beachsafe app (Beachsafe.org.au) before heading out on the water.
Members of the public are urged to take a number of simple measures to keep themselves and each other safe:
• Actively supervise children at all times
• Avoid alcohol when swimming, boating or supervising others
• Always wear a lifejacket when boating, fishing or kayaking and paddleboarding
• Check the weather conditions, and know your own limits and abilities
• Swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags where possible
• Always swim with a friend
• Remember public pools are among the safest places to swim, with lifeguards always on duty. They’re a great place to enjoy water, particularly if you or your loved ones aren’t confident around water.
Life Saving Victoria CEO Cath Greaves said that, with Easter coming early, people were expected to head to Victoria’s waterways and make the most of warmer weather over the long weekend and school holidays.
“Life Saving Victoria asks all Victorians to stay alert and prepare when heading out to enjoy the water,” Ms. Greaves said.
“A fatal drowning incident can happen quickly, and silently, so I implore everyone to remain vigilant over the upcoming holidays. We don’t want to see a repeat of last Easter.”
