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Swimming Safety
Safe swimming requires skills, awareness, and choosing the right place to swim.
Understanding the Context
Swimming is one of the best ways to enjoy water safely when skills are developed early and maintained throughout life. However, gaps in ability, poor fitness or lack of water safety knowledge increase vulnerability, especially in open water. Swimming safety also includes understanding conditions, knowing your limits and choosing supervised locations.
Research and Statistics
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Around 35% of coastal drowning deaths occur during swimming or wading.
Around 48% of Year 6 students do not meet the national swimming and water safety benchmark.
Around 40% of Year 7–10 students cannot meet the primary school swimming benchmark.
Around one in ten children aged 5–14 have never participated in formal swimming lessons.
Key Hazards
Currents & Tides
Fast-moving water such as rips, currents or tidal flows that can quickly overpower swimmers.
Offshore Winds
Strong offshore winds that push swimmers, inflatables or paddlecraft away from shore.
Overconfidence
Overestimation of abilities when swimming, boating or recreating.
Activity Separation
Lack of or poor separation between swimmers, paddlers, fishers and boats.
How to Stay Safe
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Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
Avoid alcohol and drugs when swimming, boating or fishing.
