Matt was a sensible child, always hesitant when confronted with potentially dangerous situations, even at the age of five. He was really aware of his surroundings and often needed a helping hand when participating in new activities. Swimming was one of Matt’s favourite things to do and they were lucky as a close family friend had a pool in the backyard of their house. Matt was always paddling on the step and although too dubious of the water to ever put his head under, he still had fun in the water.

So when his mother, Beatrice, had to perform a rescue in the calm quiet waters of Cheltenham Beach she was highly surprised. How this incident unfolded was really simple and could quite simply have happened to anyone. Often at high tide, the sea floor drops off drastically just beyond the water’s edge, causing the water to become very deep very soon. Matt had been playing at knee depth with a rugby ball that he was given for Christmas. When the ball drifted out slightly, like most children Matt took off after it, expecting the water to continue at the same manageable depth. But suddenly the sea floor dropped out from beneath his feet and Matt was fully submerged. Thankfully, Beatrice was watching and being over twice Matt’s height was easily able to wade in and snatch him up.

Matt and Beatrice managed to evade a sticky situation, and learnt a valuable lesson at the same time, the sea is unpredictable and can surprise you when you least expect it. If Matt had been involved in swimming lessons before the incident, he would have known how to either float on his back until help arrived or kick calmly back to standing depth. Beatrice enrolled Matt in lessons at their local pool straight away and is now proud to say that her beloved child is able to swim to survive.

Every month we bring you real life stories from local families we have spoken with about near drowning situations. These will and can happen to anyone.  This month we talked to Mandy about lessons learned with daughter, Sarah.

From an early age Sarah, like many young children, was naturally inquisitive about water. She loved a bath over a shower every time and Mandy found it hard keeping a constant eye on her around their pool as well as at the beach. Despite Mandy taking many precautions, including dressing Sarah in water wings and having a fence installed around their pool at home, they only narrowly avoided a tragedy.

Just after she had turned 6, on a nice summer’s day, Sarah managed to unlock the gate to the pool area and jumped into the shallow end of the pool fully clothed. Normally, Sarah was quite confident in the water when equipped with her water wings, but she had no idea that swimming with her clothes on would require so much more skill and strength than simply swimming in togs. Her clothes quickly became heavy and cumbersome making it extremely difficult for her to keep her head above the water. Luckily, Sarah’s Aunt was looking out the kitchen window at the pool, saw the splashes of Sarah’s flailing arms and was able to run out to the pool, dive in and save her.

That day Mandy and Sarah evaded a catastrophic situation and learnt a valuable lesson; in some situations the ability to stay afloat is not enough to save your life. If Sarah had been involved in swimming lessons prior to the incident she would have been learnt key water safety lessons including how to kick and paddle to the edge of the pool where she would have been able to call for help.

Sarah was lucky to be saved that day thanks to her Aunt who just happened to be looking out the window, however this near disaster highlighted to Mandy, and her family, the importance of swimming lessons. Despite Sarah’s love of the pool and playing in the water she didn’t have the necessary skills to save herself.  Since the incident Sarah has been taking part in regular swimming lessons, making her stronger and more capable to swim to survive. Can your child swim to survive?

Water Safety New Zealand Resource

Pippa and Paul playing safely in the water

download the pippapaul book here

Water Safety with Dean Kent

Healthy Lifestyle

Everyone’s abilities change over time – especially if you haven’t been active for a while. If you have just had a cold or the flu, you should probably start take it easy. Build up slowly. There’s plenty of time

Some medical conditions, illnesses or disabilities can make water more hazardous, but it doesn’t mean the water should be less fun. However, you should have control of your condition through both a healthy lifestyle and (if medication is necessary) the correct medication.

If you are not sure talk to a doctor, or a trained fitness professional. Joining a club or interest group is another great way to identify your risks and improve your skills in the water at the same time.

“Do you know your physical capabilities?”

and

“Are they suited to the activity you plan?”

In a lot of respects, having fun in the water is summed up in two simple words used by the scouts… Be Prepared.

Under 5′s Again

Never underestimate any body of water. It is a life threatening hazard for young children in and around the home and in the wider community. This is supported by statistics which show preschool children are amoung one of the highest drowning rates of all New Zealanders.

“ALWAYS SUPERVISE CHILDREN NEAR WATER – ALWAYS!”

and

“Do not leave the task to any lifeguards who might be on duty.”

Water Safety with Dean Kent

Males 55+ Dominate November Drownings

Two swimmers, two fisherman, two accidental immersions, one sailing and one free diving victim account for the eight drownings recorded in November. We need to shift our behaviour and mindset in and around water in New Zealand it is simply not good enough, accept responsibility and set a good example to future generations.

“Never take short cuts on safety”

and

“Never undertake activities in and around water alone and avoid alcohol”.

Water Safety with Dean Kent

Rip Currents

Rip currents on our beaches are a constant danger, they are not always easy to see and it’s important to be aware of this major surf zone hazard

“A rip is a strong current of water running out to sea. Rips are formed by water in the form of waves washing up onto the beach, this water needs to find its way back out to sea. On many beaches the force of water forms a channel or pathway beyond the break called a rip”.

“Learn how to recognise a rip current”.

and

“If you get caught in a rip, do not panic and swim parallel to the shore”.

Water Safety with Dean Kent

Children Under 5

One of the highest drowning rates of all New Zealander is pre-school children. Given the right education and opportunity your child can become both confident and competent in the water. Life threatening hazards are in and around the home as well as in the wider community.

“Supervise children yourself! Within sight and within reach”

and

“Never let children swim alone”

Water Safety with Dean Kent

Boating

Us New Zealanders we cannot stay away from the water, so its boating season is all year round. In light of the statistics released by Water Safety NZ it is apparent that we are all too complacent with the dangers. All death occurring in August were males aged 19-63.  Its time for us all to take responsibility!

“Always wear a life jacket and make sure they are the right size”

and

“As skipper you are legally responsible for everyone on board your vessel

Water Safety with Dean Kent

Hypothermia

Hypothermia, can effect all of us. It is avoidable if you don’t take risks.  Hypothermia, occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below the normal 35 degrees Celsius. This usually occurs when in and around water.

Symptoms vary from feeling cool and shivering to clumsiness and appearing uncoordinated, even becoming irrational and confused. Often they will deny that there is a problem. If cooling continues, people will eventually lose consciousness, collapse and die.

“Always wear suitable clothing”

“Minimise body heat loss, for example wear a hat”

and

“Recognise the signs”