Float to survive Sydney councils push

Float to survive Sydney councils push

Float to survive Sydney councils push new message to save rip drownings this summer

“Float to survive” is the message local Sydney councils are hoping swimmers will remember when they hit the beach this summer.
Randwick and Waverley councils are launching a new campaign to give Australians the simple advice for what to do to save lives if they are caught in a rip current.
Rip currents are the biggest killers in Australian waterways as most people don’t know what to do if they are caught in one.
“Float to survive” is the message local Sydney councils are hoping swimmers will remember. (Nine)
“Dr Rip” coastal scientist Rob Brander said there were constantly people drowning and getting rescued from rips.
“The rip may circulate you back into shallow water, sometimes it takes you further off shore but in either case if you’re floating, you’re conserving energy,” Brander said.
“We’ve found people that drown that try and start swimming exhaust themselves and that’s when they sink.
“Dr Rip” coastal scientist Rob Brander said there were constantly people drowning. (Nine)
“You don’t cross the road without looking both ways, you should never go to a beach without stopping and thinking about what the conditions are like and what your abilities are based on the conditions.”
If you are stuck in a rip current and you float, you will maximize your chances of survival, according to experts.
To use the float technique, swimmers are encouraged to lean their head back, extend their arms and legs, then rotate and signal for help.
If you are stuck in a rip current and you float, you will maximize your chances of survival. (Nine)
Bondi lifeguard co-ordinator Bruce Hopkins said floating could work for anybody.
“It can work for 12 months old infants learning to float to 100-year-olds, everyone can learn that technique,” Hopkins said.
This year 339 people have drowned across the country, which is the highest number of deaths this decade.
Most of the lives lost were in un-patrolled waters or outside of lifeguard hours.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *