Triathlon Victoria is excited to be part of the Victorian Governments ‘Play it Safe by the Water’ (PISBTW) campaign. The state-wide initiative for the promotion of water safety throughout the Victorian community, from the beach to inland waterways, the pool and in the home has been educating Victorians about water safety for the past 16 years. Since 1998, there has been a 41 per cent decrease in the fatal drowning rate in Victoria, clear evidence of the campaign’s success and ongoing importance.

The campaign brings agencies from across the aquatic industry, including Life Saving Victoria, Surfing Victoria, Swimming Victoria, Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, Yachting Victoria, Kidsafe and Triathlon Victoria together with Government and the community to address the issue of water safety and implement water safety programs and communications.

The 2014/15 Victorian Drowning Report was released today and published that during last financial year there were 39 fatal drownings. The report highlighted that for every fatal drowning of a child aged between 5 and 14 years, there are another 5 non-fatal drownings and that men are at greatest risk of drowning, with 35 of the 39 deaths in 2014/2015 being male and that the majority of drowning deaths occurred in coastal waterways (49%), followed by inland waterways (31%).

Each year the PISBTW campaign ‘kicks off’ in the first week of December with a range of events across aquatic agencies under the banner of Water Safety Week to raise water safety awareness.

“It is incredibly important that the triathlon community continues to remain vigilant in the provision of safe aquatic environments. There is a responsibility for individuals, coaches, clubs, race directors and Triathlon Victoria to not only promote ‘Play it safe by the water’ but continually be looking for ways we can improve our practice of ‘water safety’.” Executive Director Grant Cosgriff

Triathlon Victoria during this season will

• establish a baseline of water safety knowledge within the triathlon community,
• better understand how triathlon clubs operate in and around aquatic environments,
• create advocates for safety around aquatic environments, and
• support our clubs and coaches to be leaders in water safety practice.

Key safety messages:

• Never swim alone
• Be aware and prepare – understand the conditions, read signage and check for dangers before entering the water.
• 20 seconds is all it takes for a toddler to drown – never take your eyes off children around water.