AIM FOR A FATALITY FREE SUMMER ON LOCAL BEACHES
December 3, 2013
All Victorians should be aiming for a fatality free summer on local beaches according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Mr Chester, a volunteer Water Safety Officer at surf lifesaving carnivals across Gippsland, made the comments after the release of the 2012/13 Victorian Drowning Report.
The report indicated Victoria had recorded its highest number of drowning deaths in eight years with 41 people drowning in the last financial year.
Mr Chester has urged Gippslanders and visitors to the region to take care in the water this summer.
“I am sure there will be many Gippslanders and visitors to the area heading to our local beaches this summer,” Mr Chester said.
“Our surf lifesaving volunteers do a fantastic job in keeping the beaches safe and it’s critical that anyone visiting a patrolled beach this summer takes their advice and swims between the flags.
“Surf Lifesaving Australia is committed to reducing drowning deaths by 50 per cent by 2020 and a good start to this aim will be no drowning deaths on Victorian beaches this summer.”
Mr Chester said the report also highlighted that for every drowning death there were another three non-fatal drowning incidents.
“The results of the latest report are a very timely reminder of how vigilant we all need to be in and around our local waterways,” Mr Chester said.
“Key areas which need attention are the significant increase in drowning deaths of adults over 60 increased to almost double the 10 year average; males remaining four times more likely to drown than females; and alcohol continuing to play a part in almost a quarter of all drownings.
“It doesn’t matter what body of water it is – everybody needs to play it safe by heeding local instructions and using common sense when visiting local beaches, rivers, creeks and lakes.”