A significant rise in the number of young people drowning in Australia has led to a call for compulsory swimming lessons at primary schools.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) says 371 people aged between 15 and 24 drowned between 2002 and 2012 - a 25 per cent increase on previous decades.
RLSS CEO Rob Bradley says many children are no longer taught basic swimming skills, and 20 per cent of youngsters leaving primary school in coming months will be unable to stay afloat for two minutes.
He's launched a petition calling on governments to support and help fund compulsory swimming lessons at primary schools.
The RLSS believes the number of young people drowning could double in the next decade unless action is taken.
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"Royal Life Saving believes that the rapid increase in drowning in young adults ... is undeniably linked to a fall in the swimming and water safety skills of children in Australia over the past 10 years," the organisation said.
The RLSS believes many families simply can't afford swimming lessons and having them as part of the curriculum would be one way to ensure all children receive training. It acknowledged that some schools do offer swimming training, but said it was often only a few lessons every year.
