Preventing drowning in the Pilbara
WA's Pilbara region saw its highest ever drowning figures last year, with seven people losing their lives in the region's rivers, lakes, pools and oceans. The latest drowning data reveals that in general people are 2.1 times more likely to drown in regional and remote areas of our state than in the Perth metropolitan area, and these figures are alarming.
The Royal Life Saving Society WA is working to address this issue, visiting the Pilbara this week to deliver water safety and drowning prevention sessions. Staff from our Keep Watch and Don't Drink and Drown programs are travelling far and wide, including Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, Port Hedland, Onslow, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Newman in their itinerary.
These programs promote water safety in two populations at high risk of drowning – children aged 0 – 4 years and young people aged 15 – 24 years. More than 20 free water safety sessions are being delivered across the region.
Drowning is the leading cause of injury and death in the under-five age group. Stephanie Green, Royal Life Saving’s Keep Watch Coordinator, says “On average four toddlers drown each year in WA and parents are urged to keep close watch of children around all types of water to prevent toddler drowning. Our presentations also educate parents and carers about other strategies to keep their children safe around water, including the use of appropriate barriers and learning CPR to respond in an emergency.”
Presentations covering toddler drowning prevention and CPR are being delivered to parents and community health professionals, while a number of childcare centres are also hosting water safety presentations for children aged 3 – 5 years.
High schools and youth centres are also hosting alcohol and water safety sessions, which include interactive games aimed at educating young people about the risk of mixing drinking and swimming. Don’t Drink Grog and Drown is a Pilbara-based initiative, created to address high drowning rates and alcohol consumption in the region.
The impact of alcohol and drowning amongst young people aged 15-24 remains a significant issue in our state more broadly, with an average of four young people losing their life to drowning and a further 10 being hospitalised following a non-fatal drowning each year in WA, many of whom will have devastating ongoing injuries. Overall alcohol contributes to 30% of these incidents.
Eliza Mitchell, Royal Life Saving’s Don’t Drink and Drown Coordinator, says “These numbers are alarming. Too many young people are still taking unnecessary risks by drinking alcohol while in, on or around the water, placing themselves and their friends at a much greater risk of drowning. These risks are heightened in areas like the Pilbara, which is home to kilometres of coastline and inland waterways that can often be isolated and unpredictable.”
Royal Life Saving believes the benefits of visiting the Pilbara region extend beyond the week of presentations. “The relationships we develop with schools and community service groups ensure that water safety stays on the agenda all year round. We are pleased that so many diverse organisations are recognising the importance of water safety and providing this valuable information to their communities” says Ms Green.
RLSSWA’s visit to the Pilbara is generously supported by the Department of Heath WA and BHP Billiton.