National Summer Drowning Toll

Royal Life Saving Australia research shows a consistent peak in fatal drowning cases in the summer months. In a bid to understand the increased risks during this time, each year, we publish the Summer Drowning Toll from 1 December to the end of February, which charts drowning incidents around Australia in these months. This serves as a timely vehicle for us to promote safety advice in conjunction with our ongoing drowning prevention campaigns for particularly high-risk groups and communities, such as men, children and people from multicultural communities.

National Summer Drowning Toll 2024/25
104 lives lost to drowning in waterways and swimming pools this summer

• The National Summer Drowning Toll for 2024/25 identified that 104 people lost their lives to drowning, up 5% from last summer and 14% on the 5-year average.
• One-third (32%) of all summer drowning deaths were people aged 55 years and over. Ten children (0 -14 years) drowned this summer. Males remain over-represented (81%).
• New South Wales recorded the highest number of drowning deaths (33), followed by Victoria (22), Queensland (22), and Western Australia (15).
• Approximately one third each occurred at beaches (32%) and rivers (30%). River drowning increased by 29%. Swimming pool drowning deaths (11) doubled compared to last summer.
• Two-thirds (64%) of drowning deaths occurred in regional areas. Regional communities experience higher rates of drowning, due to greater exposure to natural waters, and reduced access to safe places to swim.
• Royal Life Saving is alarmed by the increase in drowning deaths again this summer and emphasise the need for long-term investments into drowning prevention measures

To stay safe around the water, be prepared and make sure to:

Know your swimming abilities

Always supervise children around water

Avoid alcohol around water

Wear a lifejacket when boating, paddling and fishing

Check the conditions and be prepared to change your plans

Avoid going alone

Choose a patrolled beach and swim between the flags

Work Force Survey 2025

Royal Life Saving Society Australia and the National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC), are conducting important research to better understand the current state and profile of the National Aquatic Industry Workforce.

All members of the aquatic industry workforce are invited to take part in the National Aquatic Industry Workforce Survey 2025. Your insights will help shape the future of the industry by:

• Building a comprehensive workforce profile

• Identifying key challenges and opportunities

• Strengthening advocacy efforts

• Informing policies and programs that support and grow the workforce

The survey is completely anonymous, but participants who choose to leave their name and email will go into the draw to win one of 20 x $150 Prezzee e-gift vouchers.

Survey closes: Monday, 7 April 2025

Winners contacted by email: By 5 May 2025

This school holiday, we had the pleasure of hosting our NextGEN Junior Lifeguard program at Cleveland Aquatic Centre, where 127 Children, ages 8 to 16, came together for a fun and educational experience. Over the course of the program, participants had the chance to dive into lifeguard training while building valuable skills in water safety, teamwork, and emergency response.

Throughout the holiday program, the kids took part in a variety of hands-on activities designed to challenge and excite:

• Paddle Board Rescues and Relays: Participants learned how to perform rescues using paddle boards and enjoyed friendly relay races that tested their skills and speed.
• CPR: Junior Lifeguards were trained in CPR techniques, ensuring they are prepared to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Manakin Tow and Relay: Working in teams, the kids towed rescue manakins through the water, practicing real-life techniques in a fun and engaging way.
• Obstacle Course: A thrilling obstacle course helped participants hone their agility, speed, and problem-solving abilities while reinforcing safety protocols.
• Lifejacket Scenarios: using lifejackets, participants learned how to get into the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) and HUDDLE positions – two critical techniques for staying safe in the water in emergency situations.
• Safe Entries: Practicing how to enter the water safety in an emergency, participants learned techniques to ensure quick and controlled access to the water during rescues.

At the end of each session, the energy was high as participants jumped into friendly challenges, eager to showcase all the skills they had mastered throughout the day! These exciting competitions gave the juniors a chance to demonstrate their newfound abilities to instructors, family, and friends, adding an extra sense of pride and accomplishment to the program. It was a thrilling experience for everyone involved, with each participant leaving the program not only more confident but also highly skilled in water safety.

A huge thank you to all our young lifeguards for their enthusiasm and dedication! We can’t wait to see you again next year for another round of action-packed training, teamwork, and fun.

🌊 Shaping the Future of Aquatic Facilities in Australia 🌊

Royal Life Saving Queensland is pleased to support the National Aquatic Infrastructure Symposium 2025 – a key step in developing a national framework for aquatic facility infrastructure provisioning across Australia.

Australia’s public aquatic infrastructure is at a critical juncture. With over 40% of facilities nearing the end of their lifespan this decade, we must embrace innovative, equitable, and sustainable solutions to meet the needs of communities nationwide.

This two-day symposium, facilitated by Royal Life Saving Australia and held in Melbourne on 27 & 28 March 2025, will unite senior industry leaders, architects, planners, policymakers, academics, and drowning prevention experts to co-develop a vision for the future of aquatic facilities – ensuring every community has access to a great local pool.

🔑 Key topics include:
Addressing aging infrastructure and infrastructure gaps
Investment and sustainability models
Equitable access for regional and underserved communities
Framework development for facility provisioning

💡 Attendance is by invitation only, with a small registration fee to cover costs. If you’re interested in attending or presenting, we encourage you to complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form below.

👉 EOI Form: https://lnkd.in/gURqJi3g

For more details check out the event website here: https://lnkd.in/gKUUgkrC

Together, let’s create safer, more inclusive, and sustainable aquatic facilities for future generations! 🌟

hashtag#AquaticInfrastructure hashtag#NationalAquaticsSymposium hashtag#DrowningPrevention hashtag#CommunityPools hashtag#Sustainability hashtag#Innovation

WE’RE HIRING!

– Marketing and Training Support Officer
– Full-time position
– Based at our head office in Gumdale, Brisbane
– This role includes on the job training and is suitable to recent school leavers

Royal Life Saving is seeking an energetic person to market and promote our organisation and our range of projects, courses and programs. The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• Promoting and growing our programs and training courses
• Engaging with clients, answer phone calls and enquiries
• Organisation events and activities
• Providing high quality customer service to patrons
• Develop and use our marketing calendar
• Using our various communications media to develop and grow the organisation and our activities

The successful applicant will have strong customer service skills and be computer literate, also be:

• Reliable and dependable
• A friendly and personable disposition
• Able to coordinate simultaneous competing tasks
• Adaptable and willing to learn

Note: This is a customer service role which may involve working outside of normal business hours (including weekends) and some travel.

Note: We expect a lot of applications and may close the advertisement early

Royal Life Saving Queensland releases our draft strategic framework for public comment and feedback.

Executive Director Mr Paul Barry said “the framework has taken two years to developed and has involved a wide ranges of stakeholders including members and volunteers”. Mr Barry also said that “the framework development was driven by members and stakeholders and includes alignment with other Royal Life Saving states”.

The Strategic Framework includes a refreshed purpose, vision and newly developed beliefs. It discusses our values and the has four strategic pillars:

• Eliminate drowning
• Empowering communities
• Succeeding together
• Strengthening safety

How you can provide feedback?

Please review the Draft Strategic Framework and let us know what you think. You can email feedback to us at admin@rlssq.com.au. Please provide any feedback by 20 January 2025.

How do I get a copy?

Please click the button below to get a copy of the Strategic Framework

With summer approaching, public aquatic facility operators are reminded that even well-maintained venues have been linked to outbreaks of illness including cryptosporidiosis. As such Queensland Health is distributing some healthy swimming messaging to our members. Below is the following resources can be used as needed:

• Fact Sheet (A4 – General)
• Fact Sheet (A4 – Change Tables)
• Fact Sheet (A4 – Public/Shared Pools Toilets)
• Fact Sheet (A4 – School Pools)
• PowerPoint Template (Public Pool Screens)
• Social Media Tile (General)
• Social Media Tile (Change Table)
• Social Media Tile (School Pools)
• Social Media Tile (Toilet)

The key messaging regarding healthy swimming is:

• Sometimes germs can contaminate the pool water and make people sick.
• Don’t swim if you have diarrhoea or have had diarrhoea in the last 14 days.
• Avoid swallowing pool water.
• Shower before and after you swim.
• Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet or changing a nappy.
• Change nappies in nappy change areas inly.
• Contact your GP if you suspect you have contracted cryptosporidiosis.

Download Resources at this link: https://lnkd.in/g_faM8GH

Yesterday (6 November 2024) Queensland Water Safety and Aquatic Collaborative (QWSAC) hosted its first Trainers Workshop.

The collaborative includes Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc, SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SWIM), AUSTSWIM and Swimming Queensland.

QWSAC members presented to over 50 attendees and discussed key aquatic industry changes, youth engagement and career pathways, updates on RTO standards, industry introduction of AI and inclusivity in training to mention a few.

As well as presentations, attendees participated in small group discussions and QWSCA members walked away with valuable insights on how to better support trainers and students in the aquatic industry.

QWSAC aims to make the workshop an annual event to continue to deliver support to trainers, swim teachers, employees and students in the aquatic industry and work towards achieving better VET outcomes.

RLSSQ is delighted to announce changes to the RLSSQ Board and also to welcome two new members.

Mr James (Jim) McClelland BM OAM has been appointed Deputy President. Jim is a life member and volunteer, having commenced his service to the society in 1971. Jim is an active member with Ithaca–Caloundra City Life Saving Club where he patrols every Saturday during summer. Jim is also a trainer and involved in the development and delivery of club based courses. Jim is a member of a number of advisory committees with Royal Life Saving Queensland, Australia and Commonwealth. In his work life, Jim owns an accounting practice.

We are also pleased to announce the appointment to the board of directors of Mr Tim Goward. Tim works for the City of Gold Coast as the manager of major venues and has been involved in the aquatic industry since 2004 holding positions from facility manager. Tim’s experience in the aquatic industry supports the board skill base and will assist us enhance our governance and quality of product delivery.

And finally, RLSSQ is pleased to announce the appointment to the board of directors of Mr Andrew Chan. Andrew has been a member and trainer since 2012 and is experienced in RTO management, administration, compliance and Learning and Development. Andrew has supported RLSSQ for many years in an informal capacity with RTO advice and industry engagement, and his role on the board will bring further skills to the board to enhance our training breadth and skills.

Congratulations to all and thank you for your continued service to RLSSQ.