Never too early to get in the swim of things

KIRRILY CARBERRY on work experience

TEACHING children to swim from an early age is a key factor in reducing the number of child drownings, Albion Park swim school owner Shane Dowels believes.

With the school holidays set to start, Mr Dowels, of Shane Dowels Swim School, urged parents to teach their children to swim and said lessons were more effective the younger the child was.

The warning came as figures from the Royal Life Saving Society Australia revealed 302 Australians drowned during the past 12 months.

More than 50 children aged between 1 and 15 drown each year in Australia with more than half occurring in the backyard pool.

Royal Lifesaving CEO Rob Bradley said the recent figures highlighted how important it was to teach children to swim and keep them well-supervised near water.

“It’s been a horror year in the past 12 months for drowning deaths and a real wake-up call,” Mr Bradley said.

“We urge the community to be vigilant because there’s such a massive impact on all the parents, relatives and friends after each drowning tragedy.”

Mr Dowels said the other key factor in preventing drownings was education.

“It’s very important to get your kids in to swimming classes as soon as possible and with an AUSTSWIM qualified swimming instructor,” he said.

AUSTSWIM CEO Gordon Mallet said making sure children were constantly supervised was crucial.

“Supervision means constant visual contact, not just the occasional glance,” Mr Mallet said.

“Never turn you back on toddlers, children or your swimming companions. Don’t look away, don’t walk off and don’t get distracted.”

To find an AUSTSWIM accredited swim school visit www.austswim.com.au.

AUSTSWIM Tips:

• Be within arm’s reach when your family is in, on or around the water.

• Ensure there is adequate supervision at all times.

• Recognise or eliminate potential water dangers around your home; nappy buckets, fishponds, bathtubs, toilets, wading or swimming pools.