Living in a country like Australia, we have a huge range of different landscapes that we can enjoy spending time outdoors in. Each of these have their own unique opportunities and attractions, as well as their own risks. Becoming familiar with these environments and understanding the potential hazards will enable an enjoyable and more importantly safe experience.
Water– Australia is a country that prides itself on its love of the water. Over 85% of our population live within 50km of the ocean and many country towns are located on major rivers or lakes. Swimming and other water sports are among our most popular recreational activities. However, enjoying our waterways does not come without risk. Unfortunately, on average, almost one Australian every day (323) died by drowning in 2022. The Royal Life Saving Australia drowning report showed that 34% of deaths occurred in rivers/ creeks and 21% at the beach and 82% of all deaths were male.
Rivers and creeks pose many different hazards that can cause problems. Having an understanding of these and planning will reduce the risk. Submerged objects such as rocks, trees or other snags can lead to people being trapped. Fast flowing water can tire even the strongest swimmer and rapidly rising water levels can trap people who are not aware.
In the ocean, rips or strong currents are responsible for many people to fatigue and lead to panic if they are not aware of what to do if caught in one. Shallow, unpredictable sandbanks can also lead to problems. Spending time studying beach conditions and learning basic skills to cope with potential issues can save lives.
Extreme Environments– Australia is seen as the driest continent on earth. We have many areas that are extremely dry but in their own way are very beautiful, attracting tourists. It is important to plan for water and how to manage in these climates.
Conversely, as these areas are flat and low lying, when rain does occur, it can lead to dramatic scenes of flooding where people can be stranded for weeks. Ensuring that emergency beacons are carried can save lives if this occurs.
Alpine areas– In ‘high country’ areas of Australia, there can be many different hazards to be aware of, including unpredictable and rapidly changing weather, steep terrain and even issues with rockslides or landfalls.
The mountainous terrain can mean that weather changes very rapidly throughout a single day. Planning for a range of different weather circumstances. perhaps by wearing layers of clothing that can be taken off or added when needed can be important. This same steep, mountainous terrain can also lead to disaster in the unfortunate event of a landslide, often after heavy rain. A true accident, this can happen at any time. In 2022, two people were killed in the Blue Mountains by a landslide after recent rainfalls. Click here to read more about this tragic event.