Category: Water Safety

5 Tips To Know About Water Safety

Triathlon water safety Western Australia is a non-profit organisation that defines water safety as the procedures, precautions, and policies associated with safety in, on, and around bodies of water where there is a risk of injury or drowning. It has applications in various sectors, sports, and many other recreational activities. Triathlon water safety Western Australia encourages a strong membership structure to train like-minded people for water safety.

Here are five tips

  • Learn the basics of swim lessons: Swim lessons help to save lives. It would be one of the most valuable skills to learn. Many organisations provide services such as event water safety and first aid services and offer affordable lifeguard training courses through the local training centre.
  • Life jackets are the life saviors: When in or around a water body, wear a life jacket certified by the top coast guard standard. Before making use of them make sure that life jackets are in good condition and know the usage standards for children as well as adults.
  • Natural and artificial water recreation source: There is a difference between swimming in natural water and a pool. A river current or an ocean wave can be powerful enough to sweep away even the most experienced swimmers, including those wearing life jackets at times.
  • Look before you leap: Be aware of the place you are in. Carefully observe and know the depth of water and its force before you jump or dive. Don’t swim or boat alone, take a group or swimming companion before any water activity.
  • CPR and other first aid techniques: Learn CPR and rescue techniques and the know-how to respond to emergencies. Water safety WA presents a multitude of sets of life-saving guidelines, with CPR being one of the most important. Organisations such as West Coast First Aid Training offer accredited courses in CPR and a variety of other first-aid methods to participants.

Floating or treading in water can help you save a life. Never drink alcohol before engaging in any water-based activity, enhance risk-taking behavior, keep a close eye on youngsters near any water body, become familiar with beach signboards, and never drive water vehicles when the current is strong enough to sweep water vehicles and you away.

Importance of water safety in WA

  • On average, 34 people drown to death in Western Australia per year.
  • Most coastal drowning deaths in Western Australia occur in regional or remote areas where there is no presence of lifesavers to save lives in an emergency.
  • High-risk places include beaches, ocean, harbor environments, and inland waterways such as rivers, creeks, and streams.
  • 36% of drownings occurred either during boating or due to falls in the water.

By practicing proper water safety measures and first aid procedures, the loss of lives can be avoided.

Event water safety and first aid services conduct successful events and provide quality water safety services according to the water safety WA standards. We provide professional lifeguard services, patrolling on beaches, school programs, exceptional informative training and courses on water safety and first aid, public speaking events, medics and nurses, awareness in the community, and sports carnivals, events, and related activities.

Water Safety Tips: 10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know

Are you looking for professional courses in water safety and life-saving skills? Look no further than West Coast Water Safety. For more details, visit the website. 

Swimming is one of the most beneficial and delightful summer activities. However, it is prudent to remain aware of drowning prevention to enjoy your family time around water. According to a recent report, drowning is the second prominent cause of accidental death for children below 14 and the leading cause of incidental death for children below five.

​​​​​​​Water safety tips to keep your child safe 

Here are some School water safety WA tips that will help you keep your family safe this summer. 

  • Hire a water watcher.

You must never let your child swim alone. So to ensure the safety of your kid in the pool, lake or ocean, it is better to hire a water watcher who can keep an eye on your child at all times.

  • Invest in an approved life jacket

There is no alternative to an approved lifejacket when sailing or participating in other water sports with kids.

  • Recognise the warning signs.

Drowning can happen anytime. it is essential to look for warning signs and be ready for them.

  • Never depend entirely on a lifeguard for supervision.

Lifeguards are trained to maintain a safe environment, monitor the water, and rescue people who get into trouble. Even though they provide an extra layer of protection, parents and carers are the primary people responsible for their children’s supervision. Always watch around water.

  • Set up a pool fence.

If you have a backyard pool, you must ensure that it remains enclosed by a four-foot-high fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate.

  • Keep a phone close to the pool.

In an emergency, the additional few minutes required to move inside and grab a phone to dial 000 may be the difference between life and death.

  • Enrolling kids in swimming lessons is a good idea.

As soon as your child is ready, enroll them in swimming lessons to help them gain confidence and skills in the water. 

  • Have emergency rescue equipment on hand.

It is essential to have help immediately on hand, just like a poolside phone if an emergency arises.

  • Empty the kiddie puddles and inflatable pools after using them.

As even a few inches of water can cause young children to drown, it is crucial to empty kiddie and air pump kids pools after each use.

  • Learn CPR and fundamental rescue skills.

In an actual emergency, you would not want to remain idle while you wait for paramedics to come. So, it is better to learn primary CPR and rescue skills. 

Are you looking for professional lifeguard courses in water safety and life-saving skills? Look no further than West Coast Water Safety, the best aquatic safety training academy. For more details, visit the website. 

Water Safety Best Practices and The Importance of Water Safety

We hope you understand the importance of water safety and the best practises to ensure it with the given points. We hope you have fun while being safe in your swimming sessions henceforth. 

The Royal Life Society Australia reported more than 294 deaths by drowning in Australia in 2021. The number may not seem too extreme, but it is about 20% higher than the reported casualties in 2020. Hence, it is important to understand the significance of harm from water and acknowledge and address water safety as soon as possible. This article will guide you from the very basics.

The importance of water safety

In an ideal world, this point wouldn’t even exist. Safety should always come first and you shouldn’t need anyone to tell you to keep yourself safe. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of water safety measures. It might not be completely their fault. Still, it may affect them or their loved ones severely. Hence everyone needs to learn how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from water hazards.

By learning these practises, you not only ensure a healthy and safe life for yourself, but you can also help others when they’re in danger. As you can’t physically be everywhere, you can keep your friends and family safe by educating them about water safety. Let’s see what water safety constitutes and how to stay safe from water hazards.

Best water safety practices

While there is no sequence by which you should learn to stay safe around water, we’re dividing this article into lists so that you can do it one at a time. 

Learn CPR: We can only hope that you don’t ever have to use this. But if you have to, you should know exactly how to save lives with CPR. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR Courses in Perth) is an extremely effective technique that has no substitution.

Always attend safety briefings: The safety specifics during any event or place are mentioned and explained a few minutes before it starts. You should always be attending these briefings and listening to the experts.

Inspect the area: Take a few minutes of your valuable time to inspect the area where you may get in contact with water and look for any unusual things or activities around the area.

Keep your safety equipment with you: Always carry appropriate equipment when roaming around water. Keep floats and other safety equipment in an easily accessible place.

Never swim alone: It doesn’t matter how confident you are in your swimming skills. It’s always better to keep someone with you when you plan to go swimming. You can go with a friend, instructor, coast guard, or any companion; just avoid swimming alone.

Practice swimming in open water: Nothing can help you better than yourself. At least you should enter the water with this mindset. Improve your swimming skills with practice and be your own savior. Practice and more practice is the only way to get comfortable with water. Your fear of water will fade away as you keep practicing regularly.

Don’t panic: It’s normal to feel a little nervous in swimming competitions or triathlons like the popular triathlon in Western Australia, but the feeling only lasts for a few moments. Once you start swimming, you only focus on that, and everything fades away. Hence, you should minimise these feelings beforehand and enjoy the process. 

Relax and enjoy the process: Swimming is supposed to be fun, and we can assure you that the fun gets elevated when you don’t have anything to care about. Having peace of mind in a completely safe environment for swimming can be the best thing for you. Enjoy the process by swimming in perfectly safe conditions. 

We hope you understand the importance of water safety and the best practices to ensure it with the given points. We hope you have fun while being safe in your swimming sessions henceforth. 

Drowning Prevention Tips for All Age Group

When it comes to safety, you must not compromise on anything. One should do everything in their power to ensure a safe environment for everyone. Here are a few important drowning prevention tips to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from water hazards for all age groups with this attitude.

We’ll categorise the water safety practices into three age groups depending on the solution’s relevance. 

  1. Children
  2. Teenagers to adults
  3. Old people

Let’s now start discussing the best practises to stay safe around water.

1) Children 

Children can’t protect themselves, so it becomes an adult’s responsibility to prevent them from any undesired incidence. 

The best way to protect your children (or anyone else) from water hazards is to train them on how to swim. There is no better alternative to protect anyone for a lifetime than learning or teaching them how to swim.

Other things you can do are

Keep your kids close while walking around the water: Doing this will let you be around to help your kid any time.

Always keep a safety kit near the swimming pool: A precaution that must not be avoided.

Educate your children about water hazards: This will give them fewer reasons to roam around swimming pools for fun.

Empty anything with water that your kids can access: A kid can always find something to play with and climb. Just make sure it’s not filled with water.

Swimming pools at home must be surrounded by at least four feet of barricades from all sides, and use pool covers whenever you get the chance.

If your children go missing, always search in the swimming pool first: Every second counts under these conditions. Ensure you reach the pool as early as possible.

Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR course in Perth and other first aid techniques: Everyone must learn these to be prepared in extreme conditions.

2) Teenagers and adults

Once again, the first thing to do is to learn to swim. Nothing can protect you from water better than yourself. The risk factors for adults are slightly different from children, especially in Australia, where the practises get slightly less recognition in terms of water safety in WA. These are more preventable, though.

Always swim with a partner: A swimming partner will accompany you and be of help in case of unexpected incidences.

Check your equipment each time before swimming: You should always keep a life jacket handy when roaming around water. And every time you carry a jacket, you should analyse it to ensure its functioning.

Using a life vest is also a great option to ensure water safety.

Don’t swim sick: However obvious this may sound, sometimes everyone needs a reminder to control their urge and not do anything that could harm them. Swimming while sick is just an invitation to further complications.

Another thing that can lead you to the hospital is swallowing the water. There is an almost 99% chance that your swimming water is contaminated with undesired pathogens. You should never allow these to enter your digestive system directly. Never swallow water. 

Learn CPR and teach everyone: This will not only help you save many lives, but it will also help you in case of emergencies.

3) Seniors and general safety instructions

Pool alarms, life jackets, safely constructed pools, and many more things can ensure the safety of senior citizens around water. None of the above techniques will guarantee 100% water safety, but when used in combination of two or more, these come quite close to making any water body a safer place. 

Prevention is always better than cure. You won’t be needing to fix things if you prevent them in the first place. Hence, it is always advisable to check all the prevention measures and stay safe.

Water Safety Tips- How To Throw A Pool Party Safely?

A swimming pool in the backyard can be a great gathering place to throw a pool party safely for friends and family. But with all the fun and excitement, these parties also bring risks and responsibilities. You don’t want your pool party to be remembered with an incident of drowning, now do you? Stick to the article if you wish to have some tips for a safe pool party. 

Pay attention to the invitation 

It is advised that you have an invitation-only allowance. That makes the process safer. See that the invitation you circulate is crystal clear regarding aspects like pool information and expectations. Mention details of your pool, make them use USCG-approved life-jackets mandatorily for children, non-swimmers, and weak swimmers, make parents responsible for their children’s safety, etc.

If you put such information on the invitation cards, you are already adding a layer of protection. This way, you can convey the risks and expectations without having awkward conversations. The attendants will be aware of their responsibilities and risks.

Inspect your pool area to ensure that there is no danger

A thorough inspection of your pool and the area around it is a must. Pay attention to every detail. Check if the water is clear; or if anything is broken and needs to be fixed. Ensure that your pool meets all the code requirements. Pay attention to the fence, lights, alarms, gates, and every little thing. Even the smallest of these things can be used against you if an unfortunate incident occurs.

Do not skip the part of the safety briefing 

Yes! This is an essential aspect of a pool party, and people often tend to skip it. To minimize the chaos and risks, you shall sit everyone down before the party begins and give a proper briefing about the smallest details. 

Make sure you let the kids know of their roles, such as no diving, being in the pool only with parents or pool lifeguards, breaks during the sessions, life jackets, the concept of the buddy system, etc. Make this very clear to them that they are not supposed to go and help; but are supposed to find an adult. 

Restricted Access

Installing restrictive equipment like fences and door alarms along the pool area is a great way to prevent accidents. We understand that the fences are not one of the most desirable things in a party-like event, but in no circumstances shall you ignore them. They are there to restrict unauthorized people or non-swimmers from entering the pool area. Not keeping these fences would only increase your risk as a party host.

See to it that you are specifically particular about the timings. Ensure that you restrict any access to the pool during any ceremony like cake cutting, etc. The door alarm would come in handy with this as they will start buzzing if a child or anyone goes in the area. 

Pool lifeguards are a must

Never throw a pool party without having multiple pool lifeguards around the pool. They are one of the most important parts of the party. Please note that it is not always sufficient to have just one water watcher in the area. Take some aspects like pool size, shape, visibility, etc., into consideration and choose the number of pool lifeguards accordingly. 

It would serve you even better if you ensured that the parents had eyes on their children despite the presence of pool lifeguards. The more eyes you have, the safer the whole event becomes. 

If you are looking for a team of highly-qualified pool lifeguards in Australia, or wish to have any safety training services from the best professionals, reach out to us at West Coast Water Safety. 

Water Safety Tips: How to Spot Someone Drowning?

Swimming has multiple physiological and psychological benefits. Hence it is highly promoted by various schools and institutions. However, with rejuvenation comes the risk of drowning.

The year 2020 and 2021 saw a 20% spike in the rates. One of the major reasons drowning is scary is that it is hard to identify. To spot someone drowning requires more precision and experience than most lifeguards possess. This is why it is advised to appoint a lifeguard instructor and train the staff working near water bodies or swimming pools or else learn about lifeguard courses. 

It is prevalent amongst kiddie pools or children near beaches. Identifying a drowning child can be a task. To always be prepared, let’s discuss how you can spot someone drowning and the signs you should 

Distinguishing Between Aquatic Distress and Drowning

To begin with, you must identify whether the person is in aquatic distress or is drowning. Though both the conditions are serious, a person experiencing aquatic distress can ultimately save themselves by holding onto something. 

A drowning person showcases silent signs that may not be easy to comprehend. As the person is struggling to avoid suffocating underwater, the signs appear subtle. 

Signs That Indicate Drowning

The following signs are visible and can save someone from drowning.

Silence: The person who is drowning will be silent and will hyperventilate. They will be occupied in catching their breath. In this muted reaction, one should look for panicked expressions.

Downward Movement of Arms: If drowning, the person will move their arms downward, as if trying to get hold of something. 

Tilted Head: A drowning person will tilt their head back. Their body will be in a vertical position, but their head will be submerged in the water, and by tilting, they will prevent the water from entering their airways. 

Floating With Face Down: This sign is of absolute concern if this position is stagnant for 30 seconds. It should not be considered as purposeful floating. 

Position of the Hair: Hair over the forehead or the eyes indicates a person drowning. 

Attempting to Swim but Failing: If you notice a person trying to swim in a direction but failing, run to rescue them.

Rescue Steps After Identifying Someone Drowning

Certified lifeguard instructors teach lifeguard training courses to apply the following steps once they spot someone drowning: Rescue the individual and remove them from the water without putting yourself in any harm. 

  1. If you are a non-swimmer, call someone who can swim or extend an object for the victim to grab on. 
  2. Call for emergency medical services to ensure that drowning has not led to severe physiological damages.
  3. Begin rescue breathing and CPR to remove the water from the victim’s body. Also, wrap them in a towel to prevent shock. 
  4. If needed, transfer the victim to medical personnel and life support. 

Practicing Water Safety is the Need of the Hour

Water safety is essential to ensure a peaceful swimming session does not end in a catastrophe. Swimming is a survival skill and is a must if you love being in the water. Swim only in the protected areas and with a friend to have a helping hand in any tense situation. 

If you are a non-swimmer, ensure to wear safety equipment like life jackets. Remain cautious near water at all times. Lastly, ensure that a lifeguard is on duty while you swim. 


West Coast Water Safety offers water safety courses in Australia, with certified lifeguard instructors and water safety experts. A lifeguard is mandatory near swimming pools and beaches. You can become a lifeguard with our offline courses for all ages. Enroll today!

Water Safety Tips

Before entering the ocean, swimmers must take some time to watch Water Safety Tips on the waves, look for and avoid places where there are strong backwash, obvious rip currents, or a danger of being washed onto the rocks (this includes rivers, etc). Check the weather and the tides before you leave home – if the sea is too rough, think seriously about not going in.

Only enter where the waves are straight and gentle.

If you experience a strong current, get out, or at least do not go in deep.

Never swim while you are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

Alcohol/drugs impair judgment and unnecessary risks are taken.

An intoxicated swimmer will tire more easily, increasing the chance of an accident or drowning.

Check with the lifeguards on duty what the surf conditions are and where the best place to swim is……before entering the sea.

Only swim in designated areas that are supervised by lifeguards (between the flags).

If the lifeguards give you directions or instructions from the beach, obey them.

Lookout and obey all warning signs.

A red-and-yellow flag means lifeguards are on duty and you should only swim in the area between the flags.

Do not dive into shallow or unknown depth water – many paraplegics broke their necks by diving into shallow pools and dams.

Do not swim in river mouths, in dirty water, very early in the mornings, early evenings, or after it had rained as shark activity increases in these conditions.

Also do not swim when bluebottles are present as it won’t be a good day.

Never leave a young child unattended near water and never make a child responsible for another child – not even for five minutes.

Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

If a child is missing, check the water first.

Seconds count in preventing drowning or permanent disability.

Swimming aids, such as water wings or noodles, are fun toys for kids, but they should never be used instead of approved flotation devices.

Contact us to book your course.

5 Water Safety Tips: Be aware to prevent drowning

The World Health Organization indicates there are 320,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide. This statistic positions drowning as the world’s number three cause of unintentional death. The good news is that people can potentially prevent drowning by learning to swim proficiently, being aware of the danger, and always following water-safe protocols.

Drowning is quiet and quick

A dangerous misconception is that the average person likens drowning to what they see on screen – frantic thrashing arms, loud screaming and waving are common depictions. There is a massive difference between how movie directors depict a drowning person and how it happens in reality. This ignorance has led to slow or no response to emergencies. A drowning person is silent, as they have no spare air for screaming. They may frantically ‘climb the ladder’ for a few seconds, but this can be easily overlooked.  Often, they are exhausted and simply give up and slip under. You must learn the real signs of distress in the water and be prepared to respond or call for help quickly. Always remain vigilant and observant around water.

Always stay vigilant and within the arm’s reach of children to prevent drowning. Use buoyancy aids.

 It is vital to keep within arm’s reach and your eyes on children in any type of water – the bath, spa, pool, river, ocean, or a puddle. Not even for a second. Children and weak swimmers must also wear buoyancy vests when in or on the water out of their depth, though this does not replace vigilance and proximity.

Swimming lessons are important to prevent drowning

Australia has nearly 60 000km of coastline and 1.2 million backyard pools, so a large proportion of the population has easy access to recreational swimming, boating, and boarding. It stands to reason that everyone should learn to swim to a high proficiency and become skilled in the vagaries of ocean swimming. Ocean waves, wind, and rips require knowledge, training, and supported practice to swim safely. Vac Swim classes for children and adult swim lessons can improve pool swimming while joining the local surf club or tri-club can provide swimming knowledge in open water.

Know and avoid risky swimming locations and dangerous behaviour near open water

Swimming in cold lakes, streams, or rivers. Sudden immersion in these cold-water environments is dangerous due to:

1. Coldwater shock (CWS), which is an involuntary inhalation that frequently happens on jumping into cold water. If this big breath occurs when the victim’s head is underwater, the victim will not resurface.

2. Heart attack from vasoconstriction of the blood vessels

3. Hypothermia, which causes confusion to even the most experienced swimmer

4. Fast flowing water which may submerge and trap a swimmer Murky dark water makes it difficult to view a submerged swimmer to rescue them

Avoid unsafe behavior

1. Drinking alcohol on or near water

2. Diving when water depth has not been ascertained

3. Refusal to wear a life jacket when on any watercraft

4. Inability to swim but going in regardless.

Do not swim alone

Always swim with a friend and never swim alone. Choose designated swimming locations and ensure lifeguards are on duty, then swim between the flags. Capable, swimming adults should supervise children vigilantly and always remain within arm’s reach.

For aspiring lifeguards looking for ocean or pool Lifeguard courses in Perth, we have got you covered here at the WCWS.