Six years on the 4th October since we lost our beloved little Purple Princess Hannah. Some things have changed but really the few things we wanted to change havent. This disappoints us because so many have died and we have tried diligently to change the statistics that sit before me on my desk.
Legislation in Qld, NSW, SA and soon Victoria have changed somewhat. Qld is the best by far along with WA which changed Pool Legislation years ago. Laws are needed for safety and some laws were in place but just never enforced.
There are days on the grief and yet public advocacy journey where I sit back in my chair and think "what the hell am I doing this for? no one listens". The Truth is people don't or simply choose not to. Drowning won't ever happen to them you see they are the lucky ones. It's a false sense of security believing that something won't happen when in reality shit does happen and to good honest people.
With National Day coming up drowning prevention still struggles to get the attention it deserves. Nationally on tv and radio there are sporadic mentions of safety but not a lot. Hannahs Foundation isnt in a financial position to advertise on expensive television time slots so its social media to the rescue. Hitting twitter, facebook and others promoting in forums the message is only being minutely heard.
A massive thanks goes out to Craig Lowndes from Red Bull Racing who retweeted my post on National Day and our media release. Thanks so much Craig you are a champ. This also made the day of Kelly Taylor, who this week reaches her third year without young son Jaise. Jaise loved the V8s and Holden so the retweet gave a greiving mum a 'pick me up'.
Kelly has been a staunch public advocate in NSW for Pool safety and deserves every bit of recognition for her passion, after all we love our children, thats why do this. There are very few parents really putting themselves out there like Kelly. Whilst we have done it for six years its not easy behind the scenes we are emotional, crying, frustrated grieving wrecks of parents who have lost a child.
Drowning prevention is the "cancer of water". It kills but without a cure only prevention. It's as simple as that. No warning. No time for goodbyes. However to prevent this horrible destructive death that takes so many and tortures so many families there are simple preventatives:
1. SUPERVISE everyone in and around water
2. BARRIERS - Pool fencing, ensuring your barriers are maintained, dont prop open the gate and leave it open on purpose, its meant to self close
2a BARRIERS on the water: Life jackets and EPIRB, two most critical pieces of boating and water equipment ever needed. Wear the Jacket and Make sure your EPIRB is within reach incase of capsize or emergency. GPS is even better for emergency crews to find you.
These two measures above are the ones to prevent you from drowning. the next two I am not an avid campaigner of but others are. Statistics tell us that swimmers drown and CPR is only effective in 1.9% of drowning cases so the message is clear. TRY Not to drown because the odds of making it are pretty, well slim. These are facts.
3. YES Water familiarisation, know how to swim but realise that your ability and strength can be overpowered by water, make positive choices around water sadly swimmers do drown but in older kids and adult it can help to float
4. CPR
Six years on and nothing has changed, the stats go up, the messages arent being heard and yes this makes us bitter. We want it to change. The Federal Government needs to help prevent such needless deaths on our shores and backyards. Better support services would make a huge difference to those left in the aftermath.
All I can hope for this National Day is that someone listens and someone is possibly saved through hearing the social media messages.
Please listen and share our messages so that no one needs to locate the support services through Hannahs Foundation and live the life that over 970 of our members do. We are truly grateful for the supporters and donors who continue to help us but sadly more is needed. If only is a question I ask myself often. If only.
Drowning kills over 300 every year, injures over triple more and water accidents through spinal injuries and boating accidents are also of great concern. Australia should care about Drowning after all our nation is surrounded by water and our tourism people promote it but it isnt without the dangers that looms if you are unaware! So raise awareness and save a life, that is what needs to change.
