AFTER such a long period of cold weather, everyone can’t wait to get back in the water and soak up the warm summer weather, but with the state’s drowning numbers as high as they have ever been over the past couple of years, water safety is crucial.

Royal Life Saving (RLS) Australia released its National Drowning report for 2022 recently with findings showing 53 people drowned in the water during the 2021-22 financial year.

Southern Grampians Shire Council community wellbeing manager, Susannah Milne, said the local region had been working hard over the off-season to prepare well for summer.

She said that the most important thing for people to remember was to “look out for each other, be observant and be safe”.

“While it has been a cold start to summer here in the Southern Grampians, we expect that as the weather warms up so too will numbers at our outdoor pools across townships,” Ms Milne told The Spectator.

“We have undertaken an extensive recruitment drive to increase the number of qualified lifeguards in the Southern Grampians.

“This recruitment process is still ongoing as we, along with other facilities across the state, face lifeguard shortages.”

While the drowning figures were down from the record 61 the year before, there are still plenty of worrying statistics for the state.

The biggest impact this year was among the older generation incorporating those people aged 65-74 years, who accounted for around a quarter of all drowning deaths in Australia, compared to just five per cent the year prior.

In Victoria, a staggering 41 per cent of drowning deaths were attributed to people 65 years and older, almost doubling from 23 per cent in 2020-21.

These staggering figures are a reminder to be diligent around water and look out for each other as the warmer weather kicks in.

“Regardless of who and what age demographic is in the water, our lifeguards are trained to watch everyone entering facilities as everyone’s life is important … this applies to our older patrons entering our services,” Ms Milne said.

According to the Life Saving Victoria (LSV) Drowning Report, 34 per cent of Victorian drownings in the 2021/22 year reported the involvement of alcohol or other drugs, 32 per cent were while swimming, paddling, or wading, and 21 per cent were while fishing or boating, with more than half of these not wearing a lifejacket or the jacket was ill-fitting.

“In light of these statistics, advice is to not drink alcohol while swimming or supervising loved ones (and) ensure lifejackets fit well and are on while fishing or boating,” Ms Milne said.

“Above all watch out for each other around water, and swim at a location or facility patrolled by trained lifeguards.”

 Swim programs at local pools around the region are also very successful over the summer months teaching the basic skills of survival and engaging the kids.

Ms Milne said the swim programs were always very popular and this season was no exception.

“Our term four swim and survive program hit full capacity and offered children the opportunity to improve their water safety skills so they can have a safe and fun summer in and around water,” she said.

Before people get in the water, Ms Milne said there were a few key things that everyone should remember to stay safe in and around water.

“Each year we remind our community of water safety, to follow the rules and guidelines, to watch out for others, and know your limits,” she said.

“All lifeguards undertake a pool lifeguard course as well as first aid … that involves modules around water rescues, oxygen therapy with CPR, spinal management and more.

“We encourage accompanying adults to always keep an eye on young children and those who are not strong swimmers when entering water, regardless of location.”

Restrictions imposed during the pandemic have changed many individual and family priorities, mindsets and routines, with the RLS report stating that the temporary closure of aquatic facilities and swim schools during the pandemic impacted swimming as a chosen activity.

Children and elderly people missed long periods of swimming and water safety education, but the aquatic industry is also struggling to recruit instructors and lifeguards.