Please note: this is an old article
It was published in January 2017, so the information may be out-of-date.
Lifeguard urges everyone to take care, swim safe and never swim alone.
After a recent spate of drownings in NSW, Shepparton’s Aquamoves senior lifeguard Kate Flynn has urged people to be careful during the ongoing high-risk period.
‘‘Water is such a dangerous thing; it can change so quickly,’’ she said.
Ms Flynn, 22, has worked in the field for the past five years and said the most important thing to remember was to never swim alone.
‘‘Always have someone supervising,’’ she said.
A Lifesaving Victoria report said there had been 43 drowning deaths in the state during the 2015-16 financial year.
Shockingly, 18 drowning deaths were also recorded in NSW from December 25 to yesterday.
Aquamoves centre manager Marcus Cook reminded swimmers, particularly in natural waters, to know and understand their limitations.
‘‘The statistics on drownings during this Christmas period in NSW are horrendous,’’ he said.
Mr Cook said the Australian way of life was all about promoting swimming and enjoying the lifestyle, but in a safe way.
He said the centre focused its lifesaving model on prevention, rather than reaction, and Mr Cook and Ms Flynn stressed the importance of taking lessons.
‘‘We offer swimming lessons from six months right through to adults,’’ Mr Cook said.
In its report, Lifesaving Victoria chief executive Nigel Taylor said every child should have the opportunity to learn vital survival swimming skills after almost 40 per cent of all drowning deaths were a result of unintentional water entry, including slips, trips and falls.
‘‘This factor makes the need for survival swimming skills all the more important,’’ he said.
‘‘The aim of survival swimming is to prepare a child for unexpected entry into deep, open water, including basic skills enabling themto swim to a point of safety or to float, scull or tread water until help arrives.’’
The most recent NSW drowning yesterday was former Family Court judge Richard Gee, 83, who was found in his backyard pool in Belrose.
Article curtesy of The Shepparton News, 4 January 2017. Written by Tara Whitsed. Picture by Julie Mercer.
