Brandi Allen Positive Choices Program

Rural waters: Is it time for compulsory life jackets?

5th January 2015

Drowning in Rural Water ways lead Summer stats

Hannah’s Foundation, Drowning Prevention, Awareness and support charity is calling for more awareness to the wearing of Life jackets in rural waterways to reduce drowning.

Mrs Plint, Executive Officer said “This summer we have seen more statistics in rivers, creeks and dams and the reason for this is the choices of not wearing life jackets.”

She said “Mandated regulations don’t require persons to wear life jackets unless they are in vessels but we are seeing strong swimmers, kids on inflatable objects and adults rescuing children getting into trouble and drowning.”

“It’s time to review the legislation and make Life Jackets compulsory for those in rural waterways to reduce drowning. You are unlikely to drown in a water way wearing a life jacket and more public education needs to be done”

“Life Jackets your seat belt on the water ® has been our campaign since 2009 and with social media resources at our limit financially we are calling on the Media, Federal and State Governments to help promote the messages”

Mr Plint, Founding Director said “Frustration is only hearing the messages of safety after a fatality or that a search has commenced. Prevention is the only cure, Australians need to be educated on the dangers of waters and the myths that surround water”

“Many myths such as ‘I can swim I can’t drown’, ‘Life jackets aren’t fool proof’ were both misleading comments on social media by armchair experts” he said.

Mrs Plint said “Coronial inquests provide us with the evidence on how tragedies occur. Water ways vary in temperatures and depths and they can change very quickly. One minute you are in 25 degree water and at waist depth then next you are at 18 degrees and over your head and drowning. Survival skills are put to the test in this situation and many swimmers just aren’t skilled enough to get themselves out of the changed environment.”

“Tragedies can be avoided by the wearing of life jackets, making sure all supervisors count the number of persons in the water, even supervised swimmers can drown and by the time it’s realised they are missing under water many minutes have passed”

“Children under 12 or poor swimmers must wear a life jacket to prevent further tragedy” She said.

For more information www.hannahsfoundation.org.au

Media interviews with Katherine Plint on 0423 869 063 (location is Ipswich QLD)

DONT GET SUCKED IN

November 21, 2013 by admin

Don’t get sucked in – weir safety campaign launched

Seqwater today launched a safety campaign at Caboolture State High School warning the community about the dangers of swimming in weirs and fast flowing water.

The weir safety campaign, with the new slogan ‘Don’t get sucked in’, urges the public, especially young people, to be aware of the potentially fatal consequences of swimming in weirs and flooded waterways.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer, Terri Benson said the campaign was an important element of drowning prevention and education, and the launch’s timing was particularly pertinent in the lead up to summer and the wet season.

“During periods of heavy rain, an overflowing weir becomes a death trap,” Ms Benson said.

“Increased water volume and pressure can force people underwater – making rescue almost impossible.

“Weirs are designed and built to regulate water flow—they’re not for swimming.

“Many people fail to realise that swimming skills have little to do with surviving a flooded weir,” Ms Benson said.

“The facts are that it only takes ankle deep water to knock you off your feet, and only 60 seconds to drown – not even enough time for someone to call triple zero.

“Educating young people to ‘rethink’ their behaviour is vital to preventing future drowning tragedies in weirs.”

Seqwater is responsible for 47 weirs along with 26 dams and 46 operational water treatment plants across South East Queensland.

Ms Benson said safety at these assets is a priority for Seqwater.

“The ‘Don’t get sucked in’ safety campaign has been designed to highlight the fact that weirs are often in secluded places that are not patrolled or supervised by anyone,” Ms Benson said.

Caboolture State High School Principal, Jim Box, said around 500 year eight and nine students attended the launch to hear presentations from Seqwater, Hannah’s Foundation and Swift Water Rescue.

“This is the fifth year Caboolture State High School has been involved with the weir safety campaign,” Mr Box said.

“We’re happy to be involved in this campaign as anything we can do to teach young people about drowning prevention may help to save someone’s life.”

The weir safety campaign has been developed with input and support from Hannah’s Foundation – Australia’s leading drowning prevention, awareness and support group, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Emergency Management Queensland.

Social media targeted directly at local youth will be a focus of the campaign, in addition to a mix of print and cinema advertising, and signs at key weir locations.

Hannah’s Foundation Executive Officer, Katherine Plint said ongoing education about the risks around water is vital to the prevention of drowning accidents.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the programs and advertising out there focuses on what to do once you find yourself in a drowning situation,” Mrs Plint said.

“The reality is swimming won’t save your life and CPR fails 93% of the time.

“Prevention is the best defence, and we must educate the public, especially children, about the poor choices that people sometimes make when it comes to water safety.

“This weir safety campaign is a positive step in giving people the knowledge and tools to make the right decisions when it comes to water safety – saving lives and avoiding unnecessary deaths as a result.”

Further education sessions will be rolled out at schools in the coming weeks ahead of summer and the wet season.

For more information visit:

http://www.seqwater.com.au

http://hannahsfoundation.org.au and www.hannahsfoundationappeals.org.au