First Aid for Drowning – How to Stay Safe in the Water




With endless stretches of gorgeous beaches, fresh seafood, and a number of water related activities happening in summer, it won’t take long to understand why many Australians have such an affinity for the water.

Summer in Australia falls between the month of December and February and is famous for having “Summer in Christmas.” This season is characterised by having sunny days with high temperatures.

In South Australia, summer is often all about the sea. The clear blue waters will tempt both locals and tourists to dive in and offer up an abundance of activities during and after a refreshing dip. 

As with any summer beach activity, there is a certain level of risk including strong currents and stingy bites, stings, and sunburn. This is why it is so important to pay attention to your body and other surrounding elements to ensure your safety during the summer months.

Rip Currents

Rip currents are considered to be the number one hazard on Australian beaches. The number of reported cases conclude that many have died or come close to death by going under extreme panic or trying to swim against strong currents to get back to the shore.

What to do:

I know it is easier said than done, but do not panic as it only prevents your ability to think and act clearly. Usually, a rip will flow against the waves back to the sea. The best way to do is to swim parallel into the breaking waves and after a few meters, you can often swim out of it.

Float and go with the rip is another option as it will often disperse and just beyond the breaker and often let you get back to the shore.

Bites and stings

The number of bites and stings cases is peaking between November and May, however, they are being experienced by many Australians all year round. These are usually painful and may cause itchiness/redness of the skin, disorientation, respiratory distress, and more. 

What to do:

If you are bitten and or gut stung by insects and sea creatures, immediate first aid is vital. Call 000 (Australian Emergency Number) and while waiting carefully remove the visible tentacles with tweezers. Reassure the patient and keep them calm until medical help arrives. Perform CPR if necessary.

Drowning

Traveling around Australia, you will find oceans and beaches that are not patrolled, with some of them being rugged, isolated parts of the coastline. In summer where it unusually hot days, many of us flock to the beaches and cool down to the sea unaware of what might be lurking out there. 

According to figures published by Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia, 276 people drowned from July 2018 to June 2019, showing a 10% increase in comparison to the previous year.

Most deaths by drowning occurred in swimming pools, beaches, rock/cliff locations, and even offshore. 

Adam Weir, Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving said in his statement, “Australians visit to the coast for enjoyment and fun, yet over the years too many times have these visits turned into tragedy despite the significant efforts of surf lifesavers. Surf Life Saving’s National Coastal Safety Report highlights a continued need for all to adopt a STOP, LOOK, PLAN approach to water safety.”

First Aid for Drowning

  1. Get Help

Notify a lifeguard or anyone nearby capable of providing help through safety swimming rescue or resuscitation.

  1. Move and Check

Take the person out of the water and check for breathing. Is the person suspected of drowning unresponsive or has difficulty breathing? 

Check if there is air coming out of their mouth and nose and look to see if the person's chest is moving.

  1. Start CPR

If the person has no pulse and no signs of breathing, perform CPR immediately. Place the heel of your one hand in the person’s chest and put the other hand on top. Do chest compressions at the rate of 100-120 per minute or more. Let the person’s chest rise completely between pushes.

Repeat if the person is not breathing.


If you are trained in resuscitation, do rescue breathing. Open the person's airway, pinch their nose and cover the victim's mouth with yours to create an airtight seal. Proceed with giving give 2 one-second breaths as you watch for the chest to rise.


Give 2 breaths followed by 30 chest compressions and continue this cycle until the person starts breathing or emergency help arrives.

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