Diving and snorkelling are popular activities for Australians and visitors alike, commonly used to explore and enjoy the remarkable Australian coastline. Diving and snorkelling present some of the best ways to experience Australia’s spectacular underwater views and interact with our extraordinary marine life.
Approximately three million Australian adults* (16 years and above) participate in snorkelling and 600,000 participate in scuba diving*. In addition, approximately 700,000 international tourists’ snorkel and dive on Australian beaches and offshore reefs (Tourism Research Australia, 2018), although recent tourism trends have been impacted by environmental and global geopolitical challenges (i.e., bushfires, floods and COVID-19 impacts).
As everyday life and travel return to normal, with people out exploring again, the risks associated with aquatic activities may also become more frequent. Unfortunately, being situated in and under the water means that when incidents occur, assistance may either not be obvious or may be some distance away and lives can be lost.
If you find yourself in a situation where you may be faced with having to perform a rescue, take a moment to STOP. LOOK. PLAN