Wise Words for Water Safety
In a country surrounded by ocean and dotted with lakes and rivers, it is not surprising that Kiwis have a love affair with the water. What perhaps may be a surprise is that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury which results in death in New Zealand. In 2015 alone, 113 people died as a result of drowning. 1 Water safety still has a long way to go.
A single death by drowning is one too many. 113 is a catastrophic loss. Perhaps we don’t take water safety as seriously as we should because we often don’t have a connection or personal association with the victims. But what if we thought about it in a different way? 113 people is seven Rugby teams. 113 people is 16 Netball teams. In 2000 an Air France Concorde crashed, resulting in the death of 113 people, and an investigation was launched to learn from the disaster make sure it would never happen again. So why aren’t we as passionate about our 113?
There are a number of organisations dedicated to doing this and helping all New Zealanders keep summer safe and fun. Groups like Coastguard New Zealand, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and Water Safety New Zealand deliver a range of programs across the country to educate and equip Kiwis to manage the risks associated with aquatic activities.
The recent incident on the Kaipara Harbour where eight men drowned highlighted some of the risks associated with boating, and prompted discussion about the controls which can be used to manage them.
Checking your boat before you hit the water is essential:
- Replace old fuel;
- Have your engine serviced regularly and check your batteries often – it is well worth the time;
- Make sure you have the right gear – this includes making sure there are lifejackets for every person on board, and a way to communicate in an emergency;
- Check that you have a VHF Radio, and know how to use it. On 1st October 2016, some maritime channels changed (although VHF 16 remains as the safety and distress channel) – check the Coastguard Radio VHF Map to make sure you have the right channels for the area you will be in. 2
Trip Reports and Bar Crossing Reports are more controls that can help Coastguard keep a track of your day on the water be able to get home safely. A Trip Report is logged by Coastguard and includes the name of your vessel, number of persons on board, destination, and estimated time of return.
A Bar Crossing Report logs the same information, and initiates a ‘listening watch’ by Coastguard as you cross a bar or identified risky stretch of coastline. If you don’t report in at the end of your trip or once you’re across the bar and Coastguard can’t contact you, a search can be initiated. The information you’ve provided dramatically cuts down the search area, and means the right rescue assets can be deployed in a timely manner.
This summer Coastguard is running an Old4New Lifejacket Replacement campaign in association with Maritime New Zealand and Hutchwilco. There has never been a better time to upgrade your old lifejacket, and they have a range of styles and sizes available at discounted rates. Check out their website for locations where you can do this.
On our beaches, Surf Lifesaving is synonymous with water safety, and although at a glance you might not associate a bronzed ‘clubbie’ in speedos with a formal Hazard / Risk Register, the two are intertwined. Lifeguards make dynamic risk assessments many times a day, constantly assessing the changing conditions to ensure that patch of water between the red and yellow flags in as safe as possible for those swimming there.
Like Coastguard, Surf Lifesaving has key messages for the public:
- Swim between the flags, or if you’re at an unpatrolled beach have someone else watch over you. Conditions can change quickly, and having someone able to immediately assist or raise the alarm is vital when things go wrong;
- Listen to advice from Lifeguards – they are subject matter experts, and are the best source of information about staying safe on the beach. If in doubt, stay out. 3
This is Risk Management 101, and no different to any other high risk activity we would do at work. We know not to work at heights or enter a confined space without the right controls – entering the water shouldn’t be any different.
Our Surf Lifeguards and Coastguard crews are predominantly made up of volunteers in New Zealand, and they willingly give their time freely so that we can all get home safely. Consider supporting their great work by donating or sponsoring them, or have a think about getting involved yourself.
For more information about how you and your whanau can be safe on the water, check out www.coastguard.nz; www.surflifesaving.org.nz; www.watersafe.org.nz; or www.watersafety.org.nz for advice, resources, and links to courses and education that can help everyone get home safely this summer.
For more health and safety advice contact us on 0800 023 789 or email info@allaboutpeople.co.nz
Darren Hodgetts, All About People Emergency Management Specialist
1 WaterSafe Auckland website www.watersafe.org.nz 2016
2 Coastguard New Zealand website www.coastguard.nz 2016
3 Surf Lifesaving New Zealand website www.surflifesaving.org.nz 2016