Lake Macquarie State's Most Dangerous Lake

By MATT JOHNSTON

Research from the Royal Life Saving Society shows Lake Macquarie is the deadliest lake in the state. Over the last 15 years, 10 lives have been lost on the water, making it the 8^th most lethal inland waterway in New South Wales.

The report on inland water safety shows rivers and lakes being responsible for almost twice the number of drowning deaths as beaches and harbours in the last year. For Lake Macquarie, the number of people involved in boating accidents is a factor in its position on the list.

“We see a lot of boating incidents on Lake Macquarie,” says Royal Life Saving’s national manager of research and policy Amy Peden. “Our research shows that these boating incidents can take multiple lives in one incident.”

But that may not be the whole story. You’re 75% more likely to drown in local waterways than anywhere else. Amy says it comes down to “an overestimation of skill but underestimating the risks that location might pose”.

The report also shows that men are four times more likely to be involved in fatal drownings than women. Of those that died, about half had alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of the incident.

In response the deaths in inland waterways, Royal Life Saving and the federal government have partnered up to release the Respect the River campaign. “It’s about making people aware of the dangers, and how to recreate safely on our inland waterways such as rivers and lakes, including Lake Macquarie.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLbxkeHNlWQmydQpurGxbOOjnOqhhdzpgT&v=mQoXBTYtG08

Drownings Prompt Water Safety Warnings

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A spate of drownings across the state has prompted the appeal to be vigilant about water safety this summer.

Seventeen people have drowned at beaches, pools, lakes and other bodies of water in New South Wales over the last two weeks.

President of Hunter Surf Life Saving, Henry Scruton is reminding residents and visitors to the Newcastle coastline of the importance of vigilance in and around the water.

Mr Scruton says the large number of recent drownings is tragic.

"It is a very, very sad situation, unfortunately. Not only for the family [and] friends, but for those who have gone in and tried to assist with the recovery of them."

Mr Scruton says beach conditions need to be assessed before jumping in the water.

"In some areas, the conditions have jumped up and been quite deceptive." 

"What looks to be a nice calm, flat section is actually where the rips and the currents are going out to sea and people think ‘I’ll swim in that section because it is a nice, gentle area’ but unfortunately that’s where the currents are," he says.

Mr Scruton says there a number of important things to remember when visiting the beach.

'The big message is; swim between the flags. If you’re going to have a swim, swim with a friend, [and] certainly don’t go swimming after dark it’s just too risky at the moment, unfortunately." 

"If you don’t trust your own abilities, don’t push your limits. Stay up in the waist deep water, don’t go out in the deep part," he says.