Whenever you are in or around the water make sure you follow these guidelines:
- Know the Aquacode:
- Always swim with a friend or adult.
- To reach and rescue, lie down and stretch out.
- If in trouble in the water, stay calm, float on your back and wave one arm for help.
- Always swim between the flags.
- Listen to lifeguards.
- Obey all signs.
- Learn about the conditions, like rips, currents, and undertows, before swimming.
- Always check the depth before entering.
Around the Home
- Supervise children in, on or near water.
- Fence home pools and include self-closing gates.
- Keep the bath plug out of reach of small children.
- Never leave children alone in the bath.
- Keep liquid filled buckets out of reach of children.
- Empty children's paddling pools as soon as they have finished using them.
- Close top loading washing machines.
- Keep fish ponds covered.
- Install rigid covers over spas.
Download a Printable version of Water Safety Tips Around the Home here!
Water Safety Around the Swimming Pool
- Obey signs giving advice to swimmers.
- Listen to the pool lifeguards.
- Stay away from the deep end, unless you can swim well.
- Make sure the water is clear of swimmers before jumping in.
- Play safely.
- Do not run around the pool edge.
- Check the depth markings on the poolside before diving.
Download a Printable version of Water Safety Tips Around the Swimming Pool here!
Water Safety at the Beach
- The safest place to swim at the beach is between the red and yellow flags.
- Mark a reference point on the shore, to avoid drifting.
- Always read The Surf Conditions Board.
- If you think conditions are too rough for you, don't go in.
- Always swim with a friend, never alone.
- Swim parallel to and not away from the shore when you swim long distances.
- Swim in well lit areas, so you can be seen if you get into trouble.
- For your safety, leave the water immediately when requested by a lifeguard.
Download a Printable version of Water Safety Tips at the Beach here!
Water Safety tips at Rivers and Lakes
- Be careful not to stand on an overhanging bank.
- Check the current before entering the water.
- Before diving, check water depth and look for snags, sandbanks, weeds, rocks and other hazards.
- Enter cold water slowly.
- Avoid swimming near boat ramps or in boating areas.
- Beware of boats using the waterway.
- If trapped in quicksand or deep mud spread the body's weight by lying flat on the surface, and move by slow arm and leg action.
- If caught in a fast flowing river, rapids or storm water drain, try to float feet first in a half sit position.
- Read and obey the signs.
Download a Printable version of Water Safety Tips at Rivers and Lakes here!
Water Safety Tips at the Farm and in the Bush
- When walking around dams or irrigation channels, beware of slippery, overhanging or steep banks.
- Swimming in dams can be dangerous.
- Never swim in water tanks, the sides are steep and the container is deep.
- Don't swim near active pumps.
- Always reach or throw an aid, to rescue someone in trouble in the water.
- Check for objects hidden beneath the surface of inland waters before entering.
- Don't swim or play in sheep dips and animal water troughs.
- If reeds or weeds become tangled in your legs, stay calm and use gentle arm strokes to swim to safety.
Download a Printable version of Water Safety Tips at Farms and in the Bush here!
Water Safety Tips for Fishing
- Always wear a PFD when fishing from a boat.
- Don't fish alone. Never mix fishing and alcohol.
- When fishing from rocks:
- Look for secure footholds.
- Stay away from sloping, slippery edges.
- Wear suitable clothing and footwear.
- When wading, check for hidden rocks or sudden drop-offs.
- Watch for changes in the weather and tides to avoid being swept away by a sudden wave or being cut off from the shore by a rising tide.
- Never turn away from the sea because a wave may knock you over. A fish on the line must not be allowed to alter this course of action.
Download a Printable version of Water Safety Tips for Fishing here!
Water Safety Tips for Boating
- Do not mix boating and alcohol.
- Everyone on board a small boat should wear a PFD.
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Make sure your boat has emergency equipment (flares, first aid kit etc).
- Never go boating alone.
- Know the limitations of the boat and do not overload it.
- Follow the boating traffic rules.
- Check weather conditions, and continue to monitor weather reports.
- Always leave word of destination and estimated time of return.
- Wear and take appropriate spare clothes allowing for possible changes in the weather.
- Stow all gear safely.
- When entering or leaving a small boat, keep the weight low and centered.
- Keep the boat away from swimming areas, weirs, rocks and other craft.
- Keep a lookout for the warning signs of bad weather, such as:
- Clouds building up to windward.
- Wind rising quickly.
- Waves becoming bigger and occasional white caps appearing.
- If bad weather threatens, head for shore.
- Learn and practice capsize and person overboard drills.
Download a Printable version of Water Safety Tips for Boating here! |
Visit Games On-Line by clicking on the button and play loads of fun water safety games.
Try out this colouring in game by clicking on the button to the left - you can even print them out and show your friends!
Print out a copy of these Water Safety Posters to colour in by just clicking on the poster that you want!