The Float to Survive campaign has been relaunched across NSW with the warmer Spring weather just weeks away and Australia’s drowning deaths set to reach a record high for 2024.
In 2022 Australia recorded its highest number of drowning deaths in over a decade with 339 fatalities, this year alone that figure is 323, a 14 per cent increase on last year.
Wollongong lifeguard and swimming instructor Blake Mckay, who has dedicated his life to water safety, is a strong proponent of the campaign and shares his passion for the ocean and his commitment to teaching the next generation how to stay safe in the water.
“When I was younger, I enjoyed swimming so much, and I always wondered what it would be like to work on the other side. Now that I am, I enjoy it a lot,” Mr Mckay said.
“It’s important to teach kids to swim, especially if they are going to swim in the surf, where they can become endangered if they don’t know how to swim properly.”
A large number of these incidents occurred at unpatrolled beaches, rivers, and lakes, highlighting the urgent need for improved water safety measures.
One of Australia’s most recognised lifeguards decided to act and initiate change.
Waverly Council lifeguard Bruce Hopkins launched the “Float to Survive” campaign in December, 2022.
Mr Hoppo, renowned for his appearances on the television series Bondi Rescue, has used his platform and expertise to advocate for a simple yet potentially life-saving skill – floating.
“Float to Survive” began as a pilot program across Sydney beaches and quickly gained traction, becoming a national campaign. The core message of the initiative is clear: mastering the act of floating can significantly increase an individual’s chances of survival in a water emergency.
Whether caught in a rip current, struggling with fatigue, or facing any other unexpected danger in the water, the ability to float provides a crucial lifeline until help arrives.
The “Float to Survive” campaign—equipping swimmers, particularly children, with the skills necessary to stay safe in the unpredictable Australian surf.
The initiative emphasises that even those who are not strong swimmers can significantly improve their chances of survival by mastering the ability to float.
Former Randwick City Council Mayor, Dylan Parker, has also been a vocal supporter of the campaign, emphasising the critical role it plays in water safety education.
“Our Float to Survive message is that if you can master the skill of floating, even if you are not a good swimmer, you are more likely to survive and be rescued,” Mayor Parker said.
As the campaign continues to expand across the country, it aims to reduce the alarming number of drowning deaths by empowering Australians with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves in the water.
The “Float to Survive” initiative serves as a timely reminder of the importance of water safety in a nation where swimming is a way of life.
Several Illawarra swimming teachers are advocating for the importance of learned water safety, with the onset of early warmer Spring weather.