Coastal safety advice from Surf Life Saving Australia

It’s already proved to be a deadly summer season in Aussie waters, so we are sharing some statistics and safety tips from Surf Life Saving Australia.

Australians are being urged to put safety first when they’re out to sea, with dangerous weather and water conditions already claiming the lives of several this summer season.

The responsibility for safety and ensuring boaters get home from the water in one piece belongs to everyone. We’ve collated some statistics and tips from the Surf Life Saving Australia’s Coastal Safety Brief on Boating to help you to have a safer summer on the water.

First, some statistics

Boating is an extremely popular activity in and around Australian coastal waterways. And with so many people on the water each year (approximately 18 per cent of Australians — with the majority from Queensland, Tasmania and New South Wales), some trips do, unfortunately, end in tragedy.

On average, at least 23 people drown per year as a result of boating, which is the second highest number of deaths for an individual activity, after swimming. However, in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania, it is ranked first. Most deaths occur in the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.

With 700,000 people reported be frequent participants of boating, it’s prudent to keep safety practices at the forefront when on the water. We can try to mitigate the unpredictable effects of the ocean by following a few essential rules.

Important tips

Always wear a lifejacket — this is the most important piece of safety equipment on board your vessel. Of the recent boating deaths in Australia, 53 per cent who drowned were not wearing a lifejacket, however, that number could be much higher as 32 per cent of lives lost it remains unknown whether they were wearing a lifejacket.

Always check weather conditions before you head out — changing sea currents and conditions can be extremely dangerous and cause fatalities. It’s best to go boating in fine, sunny weather.

No boating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs — just as with driving, drugs and/or alcohol impede your ability to react to dangerous situations properly, and if you’re a skipper with other peoples’ lives in your hands, it’s vital to stay sober at all times.

Always carry emergency equipment — lifejackets, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares, EPIRB, seasickness tablets, fresh drinking water, general tool kit and more should always be on board your vessel.

Always swim between the flags — if you’ve landed near a beach and want to swim, it’s advised to always stay between the flags as this is the safest place to swim. Australian beaches can have strong rip currents and swimming between the flags ensures surf lifeguards can see you at all times and help if need be.

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