Swimming safely this summer with GOswim

Summer is officially here and there’s no better time to get ready for safe and fun water activities. 

The latest 2025 National Drowning Report from Royal Life Saving Australia has revealed a concerning rise in drowning deaths across the country. 357 lives were lost to drowning in the past year, marking a 27% increase on the 10-year average; this is the highest number ever recorded. 

The summer holiday period remains the most dangerous time for drowning incidents. Between 25 December 2024 and 2 January 2025, drowning deaths spiked, accounting for 26% of all summer drownings. Males represented 71% of these fatalities, with the 45–54 age group being particularly affected. 

Key Findings from Austalia’sRoyal Life Saving 2025 National Drowning Report:

• Children under 5 accounted for 15 drowning deaths, with 50% occurring in home swimming pools. 

• Young adults aged 15–24 saw a 38% increase in drowning deaths, often linked to poor swimming ability and risk-taking behaviour. 

• Older Australians (65+) made up one-third of all drowning deaths, especially in rivers and coastal areas. 

• Coastal locations were the most hazardous, responsible for 43% of all drowning deaths, with rip currents being a major contributor. 

Swimming skills are critical 

Alarmingly, the Royal Life Saving Australia report stated, half of all children leave primary school unable to swim 50 metres or float for 2 minutes. This is a benchmark for basic survival in water. This highlights the urgent need for consistent swimming education across all age groups. 

Stay safe around water this summer by following a few simple rules: 

Adults, always actively supervise children when in or around water 

 Children don’t need to be far from water to find themselves in danger. Adults must actively supervise children under 10 years of age and be within arm’s reach of children under 5. This always means no distractions; eyes on the children and being in the water with them if they’re under 5. Active supervision is just as important at home as it is at public pools. Remember, lifeguards are there to respond in emergencies — supervision is the responsibility of parents and carers. 

Learn CPR and First Aid 

Equip yourself with these life-saving skills and the confidence to act in an emergency. Early recognition of cardiac arrest, calling for help, performing CPR, and using a defibrillator are critical steps in the chain of survival. These actions can make all the difference in a drowning incident. 

Safety-check your home setting to remove water hazards and restrict pool access 

 Be alerted to hidden dangers like buckets, eskies, garden water features, and drains that can fill with water. Always close and secure your pool fence and remove climbable objects or ladders that could allow unsupervised access. 

Never swim alone… always swim with a buddy 

Children and weak or non-swimmers should never swim alone. Even if a child is swimming with another child, adult supervision is still essential.