Australian lifesaving services are urging Aussies to swim with care over the holiday period after a "Christmas rescue rush".
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An alarming 630 rescues were performed in NSW waterways in the past three days, with Victorian lifesavers rescuing another 93 people in that time.
"The sun is out and our beaches and pools are packed but it has meant we've seen a spike in the number of swimmers getting themselves into strife in the water," NSW premier Dominic Perrottet said.
"There are simple steps families can take to stay safe.
"Please supervise children, swim between the flags, wear a life jacket when required and always listen to the warnings from emergency service personnel."
75,000 Surf Life Saving NSW members are patrolling the state's beaches across 129 locations.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said 55 people lost their lives at beaches, coastal waterways and rock platforms in 2021-22.
"Last year was the deadliest year on record and we don't want to see this repeated again," Mr Pearce said.
Life Saving Victoria manager research and evaluation Hannah Calverley told ACM that four people had already lost their lives by drowning since Christmas Day in the state.
"Sadly, since July 1, 2022, there have been 22 fatal drowning incidents in Victoria," Dr Calverley said.
55 per cent of those occurred at inland waterways, 27 per cent at home and other water bodies and 18 per cent in coastal waterways.
Dr Calverley urged Victorians to plan ahead for safety, including seeking out patrolled water bodies and not mixing drinking and swimming.
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"It is also essential you actively supervise children, which means keeping under fives in arm's reach and under tens in your constant and direct eyeline," she said.
"It only takes 20 seconds and a few centimetres of water for a child to drown."
Bondi Beach's head lifeguard Bruce Hopkins relayed a message to Australian beachgoers he said could "help save their life".
"Float to survive," Mr Hopkins said.
The campaign hopes to educate people to resist the instinct to struggle when facing difficult conditions like rips or strong currents.
"Educating people to stop swimming and float when they get in trouble should be our national water safety message," Mr Hopkins said.
"I've seen too many drownings where people struggle and use all their energy and drown because they can't keep their head above the water."
Tim Piccione
Tim is a journalist with the Canberra Times covering the ACT courts. He came to the nation's capital via the Daily Advertiser in Wagga. Contact: tim.piccione@canberratimes.com.au.
Tim is a journalist with the Canberra Times covering the ACT courts. He came to the nation's capital via the Daily Advertiser in Wagga. Contact: tim.piccione@canberratimes.com.au.
