Rock fishing drownings calls for fishers to wear lifejackets
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:21 am
MEDIA RELEASE
LIFE SAVING VICTORIA
22 January 2015
Rock fishing drowning deaths renew calls for fishers to wear lifejackets
Life Saving Victoria is urging all rock fishers to wear lifejackets following two drowning deaths in as many weekends.
On Saturday 10 January, a 67-year-old man was swept off the rocks while fishing near Sorrento. Just a week later on Sunday 18 January, a 26-year-old fisherman was also washed off the rocks at Bridgewater Bay in Portland.
LSV Principal Research Associate Dr Bernadette Matthews says these tragedies highlight the need for rock fishers to be prepared by wearing a lifejacket while fishing.
“In all of the rock fishing drowning cases we have seen in Victoria since 2000, none have been wearing lifejackets.
“It’s a sad reality that the simple act of wearing a lifejacket would have most likely saved many lives.
“If you do get swept off the rocks unexpectedly, wearing a properly fitting lifejacket will keep you afloat with your head above water until help can arrive.”
Dr Matthews says these tragedies have occurred despite a rock fishing safety campaign that Life Saving Victoria has been running for the past two years, targeting at-risk groups and popular rock fishing locations.
“Our observational studies of rock fishing sites show that fishers are not heeding our warnings to wear lifejackets and now we have lost two more lives.
“Waves come in sets and it’s vital that fishers take at least 20 minutes to observe the waves before going down onto the rocks.
“Never go fishing alone – someone needs to be watching out for you and able to raise the alarm should an accident occur.
“And never turn your back on the sea.”
Rock fishing safety
• Always wear a life jacket (Personal Flotation Device or PFD) when rock fishing.
• Always check weather forecasts, including tides, coastal wind forecasts and wave heights.
• Always let someone know your plans, including where you're going and when you will be back.
• When you arrive, take 20 minutes to observe your spot before you go down onto the rocks, to make sure that it's safe for the duration of the wave set.
• Never go fishing alone.
• Never turn your back on the sea.
• Wear appropriate non-slip footwear, and light clothing.
• Carry safety gear including a mobile phone to call for help and a rope and/or flotation device you can throw to someone in the water.
• If you do get swept into the water, stay calm, float, raise one arm and wave and call for help.
For more information on rock fishing please visit http://www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au/rockfishing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
LIFE SAVING VICTORIA
22 January 2015
Rock fishing drowning deaths renew calls for fishers to wear lifejackets
Life Saving Victoria is urging all rock fishers to wear lifejackets following two drowning deaths in as many weekends.
On Saturday 10 January, a 67-year-old man was swept off the rocks while fishing near Sorrento. Just a week later on Sunday 18 January, a 26-year-old fisherman was also washed off the rocks at Bridgewater Bay in Portland.
LSV Principal Research Associate Dr Bernadette Matthews says these tragedies highlight the need for rock fishers to be prepared by wearing a lifejacket while fishing.
“In all of the rock fishing drowning cases we have seen in Victoria since 2000, none have been wearing lifejackets.
“It’s a sad reality that the simple act of wearing a lifejacket would have most likely saved many lives.
“If you do get swept off the rocks unexpectedly, wearing a properly fitting lifejacket will keep you afloat with your head above water until help can arrive.”
Dr Matthews says these tragedies have occurred despite a rock fishing safety campaign that Life Saving Victoria has been running for the past two years, targeting at-risk groups and popular rock fishing locations.
“Our observational studies of rock fishing sites show that fishers are not heeding our warnings to wear lifejackets and now we have lost two more lives.
“Waves come in sets and it’s vital that fishers take at least 20 minutes to observe the waves before going down onto the rocks.
“Never go fishing alone – someone needs to be watching out for you and able to raise the alarm should an accident occur.
“And never turn your back on the sea.”
Rock fishing safety
• Always wear a life jacket (Personal Flotation Device or PFD) when rock fishing.
• Always check weather forecasts, including tides, coastal wind forecasts and wave heights.
• Always let someone know your plans, including where you're going and when you will be back.
• When you arrive, take 20 minutes to observe your spot before you go down onto the rocks, to make sure that it's safe for the duration of the wave set.
• Never go fishing alone.
• Never turn your back on the sea.
• Wear appropriate non-slip footwear, and light clothing.
• Carry safety gear including a mobile phone to call for help and a rope and/or flotation device you can throw to someone in the water.
• If you do get swept into the water, stay calm, float, raise one arm and wave and call for help.
For more information on rock fishing please visit http://www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au/rockfishing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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