Safe vs SAFER - The Importance of the Letter "R"

The importance of the letter ‘R’ "Ί want my child to be SAFE!”

It’s one of the most common, perfectly understandable wishes of all parents; a sentiment, so innocently said, and one of the main reasons behind swimming class enrolment. But despite these good intentions, precautions and positive actions, being SAFE, can never truly be guaranteed. ‘SAFE’ can be defined as, being protected from, or not being exposed to danger or risk.

While swimming and water safety education and general self-awareness can certainly assist one’s safety, it’s simply not possible to assure anyone can be completely free from danger or risk - especially when in, on or around water.

Water play and general enjoyment is not only a rite of passage for all Australians, but is a major part of our outdoor culture and activity. While a child or swimmer may be water savvy, a foreign environment might put them off, or an unforeseeable event might occur, ultimately affecting the outcome - the water may be too cold, waves could be overwhelming, a river’s current may be too strong, or a new pool might prove too deep

For this reason, Swim Australia endorses the Layers of Protection strategy:

1. Barriers

2. Adult Supervision

3. Swimming and Water Safety Lessons

4. Emergency Planning

Applied together, the philosophy works that if one layer fails, the other layers help back up the remaining active elements, and potentially save that swimmer's life. A child can never be 100% SAFE' around water, but by applying crucial Layers of Protection they can be SAFER' - adding the letter R', represents the RISK that exists. That's why Swim Australia and their registered swim schools, try and avoid using 'SAFE', instead preferring the word. SAFER

So ensure you and your family stay SwimSAFER this winter!!!

Source Swim Australia