Water Safety
- Policy and legislation
- NT Water Safety Plan
- Water Safety Advisory Council
- Our mascot
- Water Safety Awareness Program - Under 5's
- Remote Area Water Safety Program
- Water Safety education
- Research and statistics
- Swimming pools and spas
- Don't play in pipes and drains
- Events
- Publications and forms
- Related links
- Newsroom
- Contact us
Water Safety education
The Water Safety unit raises awareness about water safety in the community.
Our role is to:
- encourage safer participation in and around water through the development of ongoing programs such as Water Safety Week
- promote, and make available, water safety related resources. These can be downloaded from the Publications and forms page and include the Marine Safety Activity Book and the Water Safety Ideas Book: A Teacher's Resource Manual
- monitor drowning and near drowning injuries in order to provide accessible, accurate information.
Our key safety messages focus on encouraging children to:
- swim with an adult
- shut the pool gate
- wear a PFD (lifejacket) when on watercraft
- swim between the red and yellow flags when at the beach
- read and obey all safety signs.
Staff are available to visit schools and other organisations, including regional and remote areas. Over the last year we have delivered water safety lessons to students in from Borroloola, Bulla Creek, Timber Creek, Katherine, Watiyawanu, Ali Curung, Murray Downs, Epenarra, Canteen Creek, Tennant Creek, Middle Point, Belyuen, Woolaning to Dundee Beach.
If you would like the Water Safety unit to visit your school to deliver free water safety lessons and/or sing the Be water safety wise jingle with Boof the Barra at your assembly, please contact us to discuss bookings.
We also have a range of resources for teachers.
Resources and support
We work in collaboration and support other organisations that promote water safety. Below is a list of resources and useful contacts.
Be aware, be Croc Wise
Recently the Northern Territory Government launched the Be aware, be Croc Wise campaign, reminding Territorians and tourists about the dangers of crocodiles in Territory waterways.
It is important to remember that any body of water in the Territory may contain large and potentially dangerous crocodiles.
For any further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, Environment the Arts and Sport on (08) 8999 5511.
Beach Safe
The Beach Safe website provides condition images and reports on a number of beaches in the Territory. This site is also available in more than 34 languages.
KidSafe NT
Kidsafe is a national organisation which speaks up for our children. It aims to reduce the number of children being killed or maimed from injuries. Kidsafe has branches in every state and territory, and is recognised as a leader in community based and professional activity related to child safety, including in the water. For more information visit www.kidsafe.com.au
Marine Safety
The Marine Safety Branch of the Department of Lands and Planning is responsible for marine safety and pollution regulation matters in the Northern Territory. The aim is to ensure boating is both safe and enjoyable. This is achieved through education, regulation and the sponsorship of facilities such as navigation aids. For more information call 8924 7100.
Royal Life Saving Society Australia
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia has some great resources available for anyone interested in water safety:
- Home Pool Safety in a Box provides a range of Keep Watch strategies to help keep your children safe around the pool including supervision, resuscitation, water familiarisation and pool fencing.
- CPR in a Box personal learning program is a revolutionary method of teaching the core skills of CPR. It uses a unique 'watch and do' technique where you practice CPR on a personal manikin while watching these skills being taught and performed on a DVD.
- Kids Online Activities provides hours of online fun activities, great games and competitions to enter about water safety
- Swim and Survive
- Keep Watch
- Infant Aquatics.
For more information or to purchase online visit www.royallifesaving.com.au or contact the local branch on (08) 8981 5036.
Safe Fishing
The rock fishing safety program is a major coastal safety strategy run by Surf Life Saving Australia. Visit www.safefishing.com.au.
Surf Life Saving Northern Territory
The Surf Life Saving Northern Territory (SLSNT) is a volunteer based organisation and the peak body for surf life saving in the NT, and is a fully accredited training organisation.
SLSNT offers a range of professional courses through their Australian Lifesaving Academy including Basic First Aid, CPR, Advanced Resuscitation and Bronze Medallion/Certificate ll Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue). Some courses can also be tailored to suit individual needs.
For further information or to register your interest in a course visit www.lifesavingnt.com.au. The national Surf Life Saving website is also available at www.sls.com.au.
Telstra Beach to Bush’ – Extending surf education to rural and remote schools
The Telstra Beach To Bush program, a joint community initiative between Surf Life Saving and Telstra, is the largest and most innovative surf safety education program in the country. Since 2003, the ‘Telstra Beach To Bush’ program has travelled more than 100 000 kms and addressed over 135 000 students in over 1000 schools. It involves trained surf lifesavers, armed with beach signs, safety flags and rescue boards, delivering an interactive 45 to 60 minute education session.
Weather
During the wet season storms and squalls can form quickly and change sea conditions rapidly. You can access weather and tidal information from the following at www.bom.gov.au
