Swimming lessons aren't just for kids

When you think of learning to swim you probably automatically think of babies and toddlers, and ideally this is where it is supposed to start. But, unfortunately, this is not always how things pan out.

You might be surprised to learn that in 2019 in Australia men aged 45-54 years represented the most drownings in the country. Second to them were men 18-34. In fact, men in general represent 81% of the drowning community. Not babies or toddlers, men, brothers, sons, fathers and grandfathers.

Now of course not all of these men drowned because they didn't know how to swim, there could be a number of contributing factors, alcohol, weather conditions, dangerous rips and currents, medical conditions or tragic accidents. Or perhaps they just overestimated their ability. But for a proportion of them they simply didn't know how to swim or didn't know how to swim well enough.

Somewhere along the line these men may have missed the 'learn to swim' boat and now they think it's too late. Or maybe they are self-taught and their ability is limited. Perhaps a stigma prevents them from doing anything about it. A pre-conceived idea that if they can't swim they are less of a man?

We want to raise awareness around this issue and let our non-swimming men friends know that it is never too late to learn and there is no shame in not knowing how to swim or wanting to improve on what you already know!

If you are one of these men or know one of these men do yourself or them a favour and reach out, we may be able to help you.

You can check out the full report by clicking on the link.

https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/.../drowning-reports