On a hot, hazy summer day, almost nothing can beat a lazy dip in the water.
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On the Border it’s more than a ritual – the region bakes for so long that sometimes it’s the only way to cool down.
There are any number of places to go – right along the Murray and many other rivers and creeks, plus the open waters of lakes Hume and Mulwala.
It’s simply tremendously easy to find a spot, but also deceptively easy to get into trouble.
News of people going missing on a swim, only to be found by our hard-working rescue services a few days later having drowned are commonplace enough to cause concern.
And just like the road safety campaign about country drivers dying on country roads, the same can be said about the dangers of cold, unpredictable water.
It’s all about using your common sense when you’re thinking about going for a swim.
The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s latest campaign could not have found a better slogan.
“Respect the River” says it all, but sadly many people up until now have not got the message that will now become front and centre across the region.
The society’s statistics are indeed alarming – the number is 68 lives lost in 13 years. And of those drownings, 35 per cent involved alcohol.
These are, as the society quite rightly points out, tragic statistics.
The society has taken the right approach in telling the community straight. Society chief executive Justin Scarr says there is no dispute our rivers are beautiful.
![Showing our rivers respect sure to save lives Showing our rivers respect sure to save lives](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/zTpV5j6X6iLmSh5SbcmSaP/e4fbfa22-bdcf-4e05-bde0-78c0305b4bb0.jpg/r1104_340_2633_2183_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
But coupled with that is the realisation that more people drown in rivers than anywhere else.
“The dangers are often lurking below the surface, you simply can’t see ice cold water, snags like tree branches or strong currents, but they can be lethal,” he says.
These are indeed sobering words.
It’s about the mums or dads who take their eyes off their children while they have a dip down by Noreuil Park, or the teenagers who sneak in a few beers before skylarking with their mates. It’s about everyone.
Take heed of the message. If you do Respect the River, it will undoubtedly save lives.