The drowning of a 15 year old Albany local who was washed off rocks while fishing in 2003 was the catalyst for communities along the WA coast to investigate recreational fishing, coastal safety and near drowning. The project addresses the issue of coastal safety in WA through region specific research and interventions.
The Coastal Safety and Near Drowning survey tool investigates the occurrence of near drowning and perceptions of coastal safety as part of a community based action plan to raise awareness and ownership of local coastal safety issues.
The design of the tool is such that the community implements the collection of the data. The collection process itself encourages community participation and ownership of the issue. Once analysis of the data is completed, the results and recommendations are reported back to the community.
Project Objectives
- To create a profile of coastal usage and near drowning in selected regions
- To provide communities with a process to assist them in the identification of local coastal safety priority areas, and implementing a near-drowning injury surveillance system
- To collate data from surveys to provide an overview of coastal safety and near drowning along the coastline in Western Australia
- To raise community awareness of coastal safety and the incidences of near drowning in each region
- To provide information to community groups and relevant organisations to help direct and plan local coastal safety initiatives
- To develop a state-wide coastal safety educational program to be implemented through local schools in the regions
Coastal communities
Research has been completed in:
- The Great Southern Health Region
- Albany
- Bremer Bay
- Denmark
- The South West Health Region
Research is currently being undertaken in Geraldton, Esperance, Bunbury and metropolitan Abalone and Crabbing seasons.
Education Package
Royal Life Saving is currently working with communities and local community groups to address region specific coastal safety priority issues identified through the research.
If your community is interested in becoming involved would like some more information on the Coastal Safety and Recreational Fishing project, please contact the Royal Life Saving Society on (08) 9383 8200 or email info@rlsswa.com.au
