Take care around the water this long weekend

Be extra vigilant at the beach this weekend.

That's the warning from the state government and Royal Lifesaving Australia, with thousands expected to head to beaches over the hot and sunny long weekend.

The warning comes after four people drowned in one day in Victoria on January 13 - including two on the Mornington Peninsula and one at Venus Bay.

Victoria is experiencing one of its worst years for drownings, with 40 drowning deaths since 1 July 2020.

This is 13 more drowning deaths than the 5-year average, 16 more than the 10-year average and the highest number of drowning incidents for the period 1 July 2020 – 13 January since 2004-05.

Royal Lifesaving Australia (RLA) said as of January 19, there had been 47 reported drownings this summer across Australia.

With temperatures set to soar in the next few days and over the Australia Day holiday, authorities have stressed the need for extra vigilance when heading to Victoria’s beaches, rivers or inland waterways.

Royal Lifesaving Australia also warned people that water and alcohol do not mix.

Its research shows the risk of drowning doubles on public holidays, with alcohol being a major risk factor. People are twice as likely to drown when drunk (Blood Alcohol Concentration ≥0.05%) on a public holiday than any other day, with 37 per cent of drowning deaths on public holidays involving alcohol.

Men continue to be over-represented, accounting for 75 per cent of drowning deaths this summer according to Royal Lifesaving Australia research.

Patrolled beaches on Phillip Island

Life Saving Victoria has provided additional services at beaches across Phillip Island but said lifesavers and lifeguards couldn’t be at the beach all the time.

“As such we ask beachgoers to plan their trip to the beach accordingly and take responsibility for their own safety.”

This can be done by:

• Taking time to check the weather and conditions and assess these against your own abilities, remembering that your fitness may have decreased following a break from activities.
• Reading safety signs at the entrance to the beach and using the Beachsafe app to check the beach hazard rating or talking to the lifesavers on duty.
• Always swimming with a friend and supervising children closely around water – this is especially important after many children have had breaks from swimming lessons and aquatic activities.
• Planning to swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags. The Beachsafe App provides details of patrolled locations and times.

A spokesperson for Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club stressed that anyone swimming outside of the patrol hours or areas was taking a risk.

“Swimming at any unpatrolled surf beach on the island is a dangerous undertaking,” the club said.

Life Saving Victoria patrols are operating at Woolamai, Cowes and Smiths Beach every day from 10am – 6pm until early-February.

Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s volunteer patrols at Woolamai Beach will run through to April 2021.

Life Saving Victoria reminds beachgoers that lifesavers are only on duty when the red and yellow flags are displayed.

“Remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags at a patrolled beach,” a spokesperson said.

“If we can’t see you, we can’t save you.”

Everyone going to the beach this summer is encouraged to visit beachsafe.org.au, download the beachsafe app and only swim at a patrolled beach.