Alcohol and Water Safety
With Summer in full swing, we are all making the most of beachside living and all that the Sutherland Shire has to offer. However, with the increased usage of Cronulla beach, local swimming areas and pools, it’s crucial to keep in mind the importance of water safety and drowning prevention.
When you are under the influence of alcohol, you cannot assuredly keep yourself and those around you safe, especially when around water.
On average, 23% of drowning-related deaths record a blood BAC ≥0.05% every year. Children aged 0 to 4 years make up 75% of unintentional falls into the water, and in 75% of these cases, inadequate supervision by an adult played a part. It’s critical to avoid drinking when you and your children are around water, to help keep everyone safe and prevent a potential tragedy.
Alcohol can heighten the risk of drowning because it:
Impairs your judgement.
Drinking alcohol distorts your perception of risk and may cause you to overestimate your abilities. You may find it difficult to recognise hazards, such as windy weather or strong currents, and you may experience difficulty dealing with the consequences of these threats.
Slows your reflexes and reaction time
Alcohol is a depressant and slows down your brain’s response and the processing of information. In any emergency, including water, quick reflexes and response time is vital and can be the difference between life and death.
Increases risk-taking behaviour
Alcohol removes your inhibition and impairs your perception of risk, resulting in an increased likelihood of partaking in risk-taking behaviour.
Reduces coordination
Alcohol numbs the senses, particularly sight, sound and touch. This leads to unsteadiness and the inability to climb or swim, making it hard to get out of or help someone who is in trouble.
May cause hypothermia
Alcohol makes it difficult for your body to regulate its own temperature and fails to draw blood to vital organs to prevent heat loss, which it would normally do. Intoxication may also lead to passing out in the water, resulting in CPR being less effective.
Thankfully, there are various ways to prevent tragedy and stay safe when it comes to alcohol and water recreation. These include:
Do not consume alcohol before or during water recreation
Do not consume alcohol if you are supervising children
Propose a different activity that does not take place in the water if people have been drinking
Avoid aquatic activity alone
Avoid aquatic activity at night
Avoid aquatic activity in conditions or environments that are unfamiliar to you
If a friend or loved one has been drinking by the water, do not leave them alone
Protecting each other is the goal - and staying safe on our beaches means we all play by the rules. It's essential to abide by Government regulations, including not consuming alcohol in public places such as the beachfronts of Sutherland Shire. Let’s protect ourselves and maintain a secure community!
Remember, as idyllic as a drink by the water may sound, it’s never worth a life.
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