Each year, too many lives are lost trying to help others in trouble in the water.
Kingswim is on a mission to equip all families with the essential water safety education and swimming tips to prevent water-related accidents.
With summer here and Australian families keen to beat the heat by enjoying beaches, pools and waterways Kingswim is highlighting the importance of equipping everyone with water safety skills and knowledge.
Kingswim’s 5 water safety rules:
General Manager of Kingswim Richard Quail says swimming skills are essential for all families.
“At Kingswim, we believe that learning to swim is a life-saving skill and the ultimate foundation for water safety,” he says.
“It’s our mission to help equip families with the knowledge and tools to enjoy the water safely this summer.”
Kingswim is a leading Australian provider of swimming lessons and aquatic education, with a focus on safety, skill development, and a love for swimming.
Australian Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers knows the vital importance of water safety skills and hopes to inspire families to prioritise safety while enjoying the water safely this summer.
“I’m glad to help Kingswim launch the 5 Water Safety Rules and educate families on the importance of staying safe in and around water. By following simple water safety tips, we can ensure a fun and accident-free summer for everyone.”
Education can help prevent drowning deaths
Key findings from the National Drowning Report 2023, developed by Royal Life Saving – Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, show that 281 people lost their lives to drowning in Australia last financial year.
To help prevent death by drowning across Australia, Kingswim General Manager Rich Quail believes “water safety education needs a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional swimming lessons, though they remain the keystone of water safety education”.
He told EducationDaily that water safety education can’t be taken for granted.
“We need to reinforce messages that target parents and schools with tailored information on supervision, dry land rescue techniques, and the importance of ongoing swimming education.” Quail says.
“By promoting re-education and emphasising swimming as an essential life skill, we can empower families and schools to prioritise water safety and create a safer environment for children around all bodies of water.”
Swimming should be part of every child’s education
By reinforcing the message that there is no substitute for swimming lessons and advocating for swimming as an essential part of a child’s education, not just a recreational activity or chosen sport, he says families can play an important part in calling for quality, accessible water safety education.
Quail stressed the need for ongoing lessons to build and maintain vital water safety skills and is keen to raise greater awareness around swimming and water safety benchmarks. Exploring partnership opportunities to broaden reach to children who may be at risk of missing out on lessons due to a variety of barriers is another important way to improve water safety education for Aussie children.
And as our population continues to become more diverse, Quail told EducationDaily that “delivering water safety education to those unfamiliar with Australian beach and pool culture requires bridging cultural and educational gaps that focus on the importance of swimming and water safety”.
He says providing pictures and translated resources are helpful, “along with normalising the use of lifejackets, particularly for those who are not confident swimmers”.
“We also may need to consider more impactful messaging to drive home the dangers of unfamiliar aquatic environments for both individuals and potential rescuers,” Quail says.
Key safety messages, he says, should include an emphasis on understanding personal limitations and understanding the environment you’re in.
“If you don’t know what’s in the water, don’t go in.”
When visiting new places, Quail says everyone must remember that water conditions and safety practices can vary significantly.
“Always familiarise yourself with local signage, swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, and never swim alone. Most importantly, honestly assess your swimming abilities and the water conditions before entering and prioritise safe rescue techniques from the shore to avoid putting yourself in danger.”
To help save lives, Quail told EducationDaily that the future of swimming and water safety education should include “swimming programs throughout primary school, ensuring all children meet national benchmarks and have the opportunity to develop these vital skills, regardless of their background or circumstances”.
“This should be combined with classroom-based dry land education and readily available online resources to reinforce water safety and rescue messages beyond the pool,” he says.
“By making ongoing water safety education engaging, accessible, and a consistent part of a child’s development, we can equip them with life-long skills and knowledge to enjoy the water safely.”
