Swimming Outside The Flags

Australians consider themselves to be a ‘nation of swimmers’. The only trouble is, most of us don’t actually swim and the annual drowning statistics tell a different story.

IN THE LAST YEAR 291 PEOPLE DROWNED IN AUSTRALIA – This represents an increase of 10 deaths (or 4%) on the 10 year average of 281 drowning deaths.

DROWNING OCCURS OUTSIDE THE SAFETY FLAGS –
– 23% in rivers, creeks and streams
– 17% in beaches
– 16% in the ocean or harbour

Most of these drownings are preventable and this series together with its impact campaign sets out to reduce the annual deaths by 50% through a new approach in building public awareness.

SWIMMING OUTSIDE THE FLAGS SETS TO RADICALLY CHANGE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER AND AS A RESULT, REDUCE DROWNING FATALITIES IN AUSTRALIA.

Swimming Outside The Flags sets to radically change our relationship with water and as a result, reduce drowning fatalities in Australia.

– Premier on a nationwide broadcasting network
– A minimum of ten community screenings
– Policy makers engaged in discussions directly relating to issues raised in film
– A high percentage of the audience accessing resources and support services via our website.
– Ambassadors speaking out surrounding the release of the film on core topics.

Yes, Shane and I have relationships with Australian Water Safety Council, Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, Swimming Australia; Surf Life Saving Society to name a few. We would utilise these stakeholders interested in water safety to ensure the issue is widely reported on radio, television, social media and written press.

The aim is to encourage people to better understand both the pleasure and the danger of water. We will highlight the gap between people’s perceptions of their own water and swimming competencies and the reality of the situations in which they immerse themselves. As a result we will see greater desire from individuals to build their water skills and to encourage those around them to do the same.

There will be an increase in people of all ages participating in learn to swim programs and feeling safer in the water. People will start to feel safer and more confident, allowing them to experience the joy of being in the water.

Policy change that will see more diverse and government-funded learn to swim programs, available to all children and new migrants.

Policy that will make learn to swim programs compulsory for all school children in Australia.