NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is asking visitors to stop and look before cooling off in waterways this long weekend.
NSW has the highest drowning rates of any Australian state, and many national park beaches, creeks, rivers, lakes and waterholes are remote and not patrolled by lifeguards.
It is critical that all water users stay safe this weekend by assessing the conditions and being aware of their own swimming ability.
NPWS is working with Surf Life Saving Australia to highlight the dangers of swimming or rock-fishing at unpatrolled areas and urges everyone to follow Surf Life Saving's advice: Stop, Look, and Stay Alive.
STOP
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LOOK
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STAY ALIVE
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Of those people who drown in NSW, 25 per cent are born overseas. Given Mandarin is the second most spoken language after English in NSW. NPWS is running a water safety awareness campaign in simplified Chinese and Mandarin which can be found here.
A rip is a very strong and narrow current that pulls you away from the beach and out to sea. If you get caught in a rip current, stay calm and conserve your energy. Try to:
- seek help. Raise your arm and call out.
- float with the current. It may return you to a shallow sandbank
- swim parallel to the beach or towards breaking waves. You may escape the rip current.
Going rock fishing? Remember to:
- wear a life jacket and appropriate footwear
- check the weather forecast, tides and swell before setting out
- never fish in exposed areas during rough seas or storms
- spend time watching the ocean, scan for changing conditions
- never fish by yourself
- never turn your back on the sea
- have an exit strategy in case you're swept in.
Quotes attributable to Naomi Stephens, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Executive Director Park Operations Coastal:
"Beaches and waterways may look inviting or calm, but it doesn't mean they are safe.
"Many national parks and reserves are wild, remote places and it takes time for help to arrive.
"It's vital we all stop before taking a swim and look at the water conditions. We want everyone who visits a NSW national park to have a safe and enjoyable experience."
Learn more
- www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/water-activities
- nswparks.info/beachsafetychinese
- www.beachsafe.org.au/surf-safety
- Look up where to find patrolled beaches on the SLS Beachsafe app - swimming at a patrolled beach is the best way to stay safe.
- www.beachsafe.org.au/surf-safety/ripcurrents
