WATER SAFETY101
SUMMER’S WINDING DOWN, BUT KIDS NEED TO SWIM SAFE ALL YEAR ROUND
Drowning doesn’t just occur in summer. Tragically, these deaths happen no matter what the season. So keep your loved ones
– and yourself – safe these school holidays by arming yourself with the facts on water safety, with the help of Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins and Craig Riddington from Surf Educators International and ABC Kids’ program Kangaroo Beach.
WHAT IS WATER SAFETY?
Hoppo explains that water safety refers to the precautions taken to ensure safety, whether in or around any bodies of water, when there is risk of injury or drowning.
“Drowning can happen so fast, sometimes in less than two minutes after a person’s head goes under water,” both he and Craig say. “It’s important to have water safety knowledge, so when kids and adults are around any water, they’re safe.”
FROM TODDLERS TO TEENAGERS
As kids grow, their physical ability, along with their understanding of water safety, grows with them – and the risks they are exposed to change. For babies and toddlers, the risk lies in them coming into contact with water unsupervised and not knowing how to float. Hoppo and Craig explain that because of this, toddlers must learn how to float, and that they need constant supervision when around water.
“Even in winter, parents need to be vigilant around water as kids will still want to go in,” they say. “Do not leave toys around the pool and make sure the safety locks on the pool gates are secure.”
Meanwhile, teenagers, even though they already likely know how to swim and float, take more risks around water.
“They overestimate their ability, go swimming at night and after consuming alcohol,” explain the guys.
Alcohol interferes with swimming skills and affects judgement-making abilities, so it should never be consumed around water. This also applies for parents supervising kids. Stay sober to stay vigilant.
MYTHS BUSTED
It’s a common misconception that you will be safe in water if you can stand. Drowning can occur in as little at six centimetres of water. Many are also ill-informed about rips.
“People can think they’ll be swept out to sea [by a rip] and take drastic action to get back to shore, which is the main contributor to drowning deaths in rips,” both he and Craig say.
• Kangaroo Beach, 8.10am daily on ABC Kids.