Surf Life Saving AustraliaTourists andWater Safety

Important Selection Considerationsfrom: FutureBrandCountry Brand Index

Best Country Brand for Beach 2006Bahamas (1)Maldives (2)Fiji + (4)BrazilGreece + (8)Australia - (3)Jamaica - (5)Dominican RepublicThailand - (7)CubaPristine beaches, from remote to mainstream

Drowning is a leading cause of tourist deathsTourists recognised as an at risk group requiring assistance (Australian Water Safety Council)Poor swimming abilityUnfamiliar environment/activitiesLanguage barriersHoliday behaviourInternational review of travellers and water safety (2006) recommended lifeguard servicesTourist Water Safety

FemalesMalesO/s touristsTotalYearsSeven-year comparison of Drowning Deaths in QLD

20012002200320042005200620071617147139816141261297 0 3 21 10141181714

International Drowning Deaths by Nationality

2001 4Indian (1), Japanese (1), Chinese (1), English (1)200211Chinese (2), Singaporean (1), English (3), Swiss (1), Japanese (3), South African (1)2003 8English (2), Japanese (2), Czech Rep (1), German (1), Fijian (1), Taiwanese (1)2004 1German (1)2005 7Korean (1), Vietnamese (1), Austrian (1), Irish (1), Singaporean (1), Chinese (1), Asian (1)2006 3Japanese (2), Indian (1)2007 4Korean (2), English (1), Slovakian (1)

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling Deaths QLD35 diving and 23 snorkelling deaths 1998-2005Majority of deaths involved international visitors most from English speaking countriesUSA (25), GB (10), Australian (9), Germany (3), Netherlands (3), France (2), Japan (2), Canada (1), China (1), Singapore (1), Columbia (1)Snorkel deaths cardiac events (15), hypoxic blackout (4), drowning (9), Irukandji envenomation (2)Dive deaths cardiac (8), Cerebral arterial gas embolism (6), drowning (4)Poor dive skills; buddy separation

No standardised databases or consistent sources of informationWeb and newspapers provide snapshotThird tourist drowning in Phuket in two days Sunday 15 July 2007 32 year old Saudi (swimming, large wave engulfed him)Singaporian tourist drowned while swimming on the same beach the day beforeA Russian national died while swimming at another beach on Saturday

Asia Pacific findings

Legal Considerations It is well established that those in charge of beaches owe a duty of care to swimmers using beaches under their control The extent to which local authorities and resorts will be held liable for inadequate supervision and warnings is in a state of refinement - Beach Safety and the Law Summit

Enright v Coolum Resort Pty Ltd (2002)EU Directive on Package TravelJones v Sunworld resorts may have duty of care responsibilities for lagoonsGeneral duties under Workplace Health and Safety500 mwww.beachsafety.qut.edu.au

ALS performance SLSA Lifeguard Actions during the 2006-2007 season The chance of drowning at a beach protected by lifeguards is estimated to be less than one in 18 million (USLA)

Case Study Fiji Outrigger Resort

Lifeguards in both public and private settingsStaff education and training (first aid, CPR, defibrillators)Regular water safety audits and inspections, including signageAnnual accreditations under WHS legislationA managed serious injury database for the Asia Pacific region Best practice

***Relevant Statistics (Past)Beach availability, climateGlobal Quantitative Survey (Present)Multi-country survey of consumersScale of 1-5 on importance of considerationsGlobal Expert Opinions (Future)In-depth interviews with travel expertsRatings and commentsOther Asia Pacifc destinations for beach - add***Aquatic and recreational signage style guide developed by Surf Life Saving Victoria*Preventive actions includes shark alarms (123), searches (39), lost children (198)

Resuscitations includes 3 defibrillation

First aid includes 143 major wounds, 18 suspected spinal injuries, 51 fractures, 2723 minor cuts/abrasions, 1471 other heat stroke, etc

*2003 two guests from neighbouring resort caught in rip in lagoon attempted rescue, tourists died, Outrigger staff hospitalised

First SLSA training program within next 18 months there were 20 successful rescues (18 for guests of neighbouring resort)

Following 3 visits qualified 30 first aid 4 Silver Medallion Patrol Captain13 Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion 3 sessions into a 5 session program already treated range of minor to serious first aid cases, including faints with fall injuries to major car accident one patient unconscious not breathing, another major bleeding, a third with cuts and other minor injuries**