By John Pedler
Published: Friday, December 8, 2023
The warm weather has arrived, which means it’s time to head for the water. Whether it’s a beach, lake, river or swimming pool, there are plenty of places to cool off as the temperature rises.
But fun in the water can quickly turn to tragedy. Royal Life Saving’s latest drowning report reveals there were 33 summer drowning deaths in South Australia between 2017–18 and 2022–23.
Of these, 43 per cent occurred in a river or creek, 14% at the beach, and the rest in private swimming pools, bathtubs, and around oceans and harbours.
So how can we keep ourselves, family and friends safe around water?
Murray River hazards
The South Australian Government warns Murray River visitors to be aware of strong currents and to only swim in slow-moving water free of submerged hazards.
Check the depth of water and enter slowly – never jump or dive in – and always wear a lifejacket, particularly when boating. If you’re using a motorboat or jet ski, keep an eye out for swimmers, skiers and kayakers.
Take care around slippery riverbanks; it’s not uncommon for people to unintentionally find themselves in the Murray.
Surf safety
Andrew Henry from Surf Lifesaving SA’s VACSWIM program travels around the state providing swimming and safety instruction for local communities. He has some valuable advice for beachgoers.
“It’s important to plan your experience,” Andrew says. “Check out all the information about a location before hitting the water. If you’re unfamiliar with an area, have a chat with the locals.”
He explains that a section of beach without waves may not necessarily be the safest spot to swim. It might suggest there’s a rip current that could carry swimmers out to sea.
“In some places, an incoming tide can turn a shallow part of a beach into deep water, trapping people on sandbars,” Andrew says.
“It’s also important to check the local weather and wind direction; a strong wind can suddenly create rough conditions and blow swimmers further out, particularly if they’re aboard an inflatable device.”
On patrolled beaches, always swim between the flags and, if you get into difficulty, float on your back and raise your arm for help.
The last word
Wherever you’re heading this summer, this general advice applies to all bodies of water:
- Learn to swim.
- Always actively supervise children.
- Alcohol and drugs and water don’t mix.
- Don’t swim alone or at night.
- Learn first-aid and CPR.