Expansion of School Swimming and Water Safety Program to include both Primary and Secondary School Children
Petitioner:
Mr Fulin Yan
| Member:
Voltz, Lynda
| No. of Signatories:
10
| Date closed:
11/01/2022
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children. In Australia: More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death except birth defects. For children ages 1–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes. Drowning is very quick and silent. Most parents and carers think they will hear if a child is drowning, but this isn’t true. A young child's head is heavy compared to the rest of their body, so they can’t lift themselves once they're underwater. Children can drown in swimming pools, baths, spas, dams, rivers, creeks, garden ponds, water features, buckets or any source of water. Children who survive drowning can suffer long-term brain damage, developmental delays and other health problems. Swim skills add a layer of protection to prevent drowning incidents. Formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning among children 1-4 years and should be continued into adolescence. This is the only sport that can actually save lives and can also reduce the risk of drowning among older individuals.
I, therefore, ask the House to expand the School Swimming and Water Safety Program to include both primary and secondary school children. This will ensure the quality and consistency of the programs across our state.
