Position statement on water safety

The Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) supports the enjoyment of water-based sport and recreation activities in a safe manner. The department has committed to the WA Water Safety Framework 2004-2007 with its purpose to achieve coordination and collaboration among government and non-government agencies for the improved strategic management of water safety in Western Australia.

Related topics: None

Drowning occurs in a number of settings. Young children more often drown in private swimming pools, nappy buckets, baths and ponds. Drowning occurs in the home, at beaches, in public and private swimming pools, when people are scuba diving, fishing or in boating mishaps. Drowning occurs for many different reasons, commonly: lack of supervision, poor water familiarisation, inadequate barriers and lack of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and lifesaving skills among supervisors. In some instances alcohol and drug use are also associated.

The scope of the Western Australian Water Safety Framework 2004 - 2007 is based on the prevention of drowning, near-drowning and related injuries, whilst not restricting people's participation in aquatic activities.

Where would you like to go next?

• Alcohol and physical activity
• Child protection
• Coaching
• Companion card for people with a disability
• Drugs in sport
• Fare equalisation
• Funding national sport organisations for operations
• Governance
• Harassment-free sport
• Hosting national championships - national leagues
• Inclusivity (substantive equality)
• Indigenous participation
• Integrity in sport
• Junior sport sponsorship from alcohol companies
• Mature-aged sport and recreation
• Mergers of like State Sporting Associations
• Officiating
• Photographing children
• Physical activity
• Sport/physical education in schools
• Sustainability
• Violence in sport
• Volunteers
• Working with Children Legislation