‘Hero’ rescuers need water safety skills: experts

Water safety experts are warning people not to act rashly when they see a drowning person.

A mid-winter water safety forum to spread awareness about drowning prevention was hosted by WaterSafe Auckland last week.

Cases of rescuers who drown are a persistent problem, said Dr Kevin Moran, principal lecturer in health and physical education at the University of Auckland.

Education for safe rescue is essential, as life guards perform only 8-10 per cent of all rescues.

An aquatic practitioner, Teresa Stanley from the research and development department at WaterSafe, has conducted research with Dr Moran on aquatics education in Auckland primary schools and found more needs to be done.

“Auckland schools should continue the development of water safety to provide a more holistic aquatic education programme, rather than focusing just on swimming.”

Drownings usually occur in open water.

Rescuers who don’t have skills or haven’t swum in open water often drown, Dr Moran said.

Last year, Paul Wakelin, 23, lost his life while trying to rescue his brother, John, and a friend who had got caught in a rip at a Gisborne beach. John Wakelin, 19, also died in the incident; the friend was rescued by a local surfer.

Dr Moran also talked about how media has constantly pushed the heroic image of rescuers, such as the case of promising rugby league player Sonny Fai, who drowned while trying to rescue his brother at Auckland’s Bethell’s Beach in 2009.

At the time, Mr Fai was portrayed as a strong swimmer, but that was not the case, he said.

Dr Moran talked about a few persistent errors by swimmers too.

“We don’t encourage people to wave their arms if they are drowning or in trouble, as it would look like back stroke from the beach.” Rather, they should keep their arm raised and still.

He encouraged people to take flotation devices with them if they were forced to enter in the water.

Coastal scientist Nick Mulcahy, from Coastal Research praised Auckland Council’s efforts to prevent drowning fatalities.