Following last week’s incident at Stockton Lake, community and state representatives have stressed the importance of water safety training.
On January 7, a 22-year-old man, John Rashidi, swam out to retrieve an inflatable and failed to resurface.
His body was found on January 9, following an intensive two-day search of the area.
According to statistics from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, the incident marked the third death by drowning in Western Australia this summer.
Known for protecting people along the Bunbury coastline and Koombana Bay, the City of Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club also promotes safe freshwater swimming.
The club helps with major freshwater events and activities, such as open water swim meets.
Club president Denise Duncan said people should be trained to swim in both salt and fresh water environments.
“In fresh water, people should look out for rocks, underwater currents, and things that can cause injury if they dive in. In the ocean, you have to look out for rips and shorebreaks,” she said.
“You’ve got to start at a very early age, parents should get their kids involved in open ocean and freshwater swimming.
“They can learn their strengths and weaknesses, whilst learning what the water can present.
“If they know how to do it, they can do it safely...anywhere there is water, we want people to be safe.”
Acting Water Minister Roger Cook asked for people across the state to look out for one another.
“We are always reminded in summer about the tragic circumstances of drownings. It is important that everyone takes personal responsibility and looks out for their loved ones when it comes to safety in and around our waterways,” he said.
“We have got our Seasense program running at the moment to warn people of the dangers of swimming in ocean.
“We always need to remind the community through signage, through education campaigns, and through our swimming schools to continue to improve safety in and around our waterways.
“We’re very conscious of the need for people to protect their safety in our oceans, our fresh water playground is also a place to be extra vigilant.”
For more information water safety, head to royallifesaving.com.au/.
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