The Royal Lifesaving Society’s annual drowning report released today found that the overall number of waterway deaths had increased by five per cent over the past year.
The figures indicated that 83 per cent of the 280 reported deaths were males.
These statistics have alarmed swimming instructor Fadila Chafic, who urged adults and children to take the plunge to learn water safety and how to swim proficiently.
“I believe everyone has the right to go out and be safe and enjoy the water, whether it be rivers, lakes or beaches,” she told SBS.
Despite children under five being at the highest risk, the report indicated that drownings for this age demographic were down 30 per cent on a ten-year average.
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Sharp spike in toddler drownings
Justin Scarr, CEO of Royal Life Saving Australia, said the improvement in the numbers for young children was heartening, and he pointed to various factors.
"When you think about it, 20 or 30 young Australians are alive today, this year, who would've drowned in previous years if not for swimming-pool fencing legislation, programs like the Keep Watch program reinforcing the importance of supervision," he said.
Ms Chafic said adults needed to lead the way for their children to get into the water.
“They’re the ones who bring the kids to water but never get in themselves," she said.
"If you want your children to be safe, you need to know how to go in and save them if anything were to arise.”
With 10 years of experience teaching people to be water wise, Ms Chafic said despite your level of water knowledge, it’s important to “always stay with someone when swimming, learn how to float on your back, and to scull [tread] water".
Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, Sussan Ley, said the figures show a clear problem.
"We have to ask ourselves why? In Australia we're fond of saying "she'll be right mate", well these figures clearly show that it doesn't always turn out right," she said.
This year, 25 overseas tourists drowned - almost half were from Asian countries, with most incidents occurring away from patrolled areas on beaches, pools and rivers.
Mr Scarr said there was a need to focus on increasing the swimming proficiency of migrants from Asia and Africa.
Burkini Babes
Ms Chafic is part of a group called the Burkini Babes who on Saturday will begin training for a 1km ocean swim planned for 2017 to raise funds for cancer research.
She admits she didn’t hear One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s second maiden speech on Wednesday, which was condemned by many Muslim leaders.
When she encounters racism over her burkini, she just ignores it, saying it’s like water off a duck’s back.
“It’s swim approved swimwear, it’s like anyone else going out in their cossies, in their board shorts, so I don’t see why there would need to be a ban," she said.
"It’s better for us to be wearing a burkini instead of going out in our jeans, fully clothed, and putting ourselves in danger."
When she’s teaching someone for the first time and they don’t understand her swimwear, Ms Chafic simplifies it.
“I just tell them it’s like a cap...it’s to keep my hair dry... children don’t quite grasp the concept that this is a burkini and I’m actually covered outside of the water,” she said.
Gada Hazim, a Muslim mother, said it's important for her three children to know how to swim “in a country like Australia that’s got such a huge water culture".
"I want them to know how to look after themselves if I’m not there,” she said.
Ms Hazim said the whole family swim often, by going to the pools and beaches.
