Water Safety starts with Us Jade Hanson explains AUSTSWIM’s vital role in teaching people of all ages to be safer in and around the water
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or over 43 years Australians have been taught to swim by AUSTSWIM-trained and licenced Swimming and Water Safety Teachers. With over 385,000 teachers trained since inception, it’s likely that each and every person in Australia today has been taught by or knows someone who has been taught by an AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety. Nationally, AUSTSWIM commits to ensuring training is available. Whether it is regional and remote, indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse or any other community in need, AUSTSWIM is there to ensure that every Australian has access to swimming and water safety training and education. As we rebound and gain momentum into the summer months, we continue to acknowledge the significant role swimming and water safety plays in the social, economic, health and wellbeing of Australian communities and want to celebrate our industry and support our people. The recently released Royal Life Saving Society – Australia National Drowning Report 2022 reveals a tragic spike in drowning deaths over the past 12 months with 339 drowning deaths occurring across Australia, the highest in 25 years. In addition to the fatal drownings there were 686 non-fatal drowning incidents. The report shines light and concern on the importance of learning swimming and water safety skills at any age. The findings highlight the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on drowning risk, including children lacking swimming and water safety skills necessary to enjoy the water safely due to pandemic-induced lesson cancellations and the ongoing shortage in swimming and water safety teachers across Australia. 15 drowning deaths occurred in children aged five to 14 years, a 7% increase on last year and a 36% increase on the 10-year average. 56 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 153
These statistics are a reminder to the whole community and to over 33,000 AUSTSWIM teachers currently working back-toback shifts of the vital importance of the swimming and water safety programs that they deliver across Australia, teaching skills for life. Advising that the organisation remains committed to raising awareness around drowning prevention through the teaching of vital swimming and water safety skills, despite the challenges the industry faces, AUSTSWIM Chief Executive, Brad Low declares “swim schools across the country are operating at capacity and with not enough accredited and licensed teachers, they are unfortunately turning families away. “But with the support of several State funding initiatives, our focus is on educating as many new teachers as we can, ensuring that everyone across the country has access to swimming and water safety classes delivered by knowledgeable
