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ROYAL LIFE SAVING STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2016-2020

A nation free from drowning

EVERYONE CAN BE A LIFESAVER”

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2016-2020 Introduction The Challenges of a Nation Free from Drowning Vision, Purpose and Values

4 6 9

Strategic Priorities DROWNING PREVENTION LEADERSHIP

RESEARCH, POLICY AND ADVOCACY

COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND ACTION

SWIMMING, LIFESAVING, WATER SAFETY PATHWAY

SAFER AQUATIC LOCATIONS

DROWNING PREVENTION LEADERSHIP ABROAD

ORGANISATIONAL COHESION AND GROWTH

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Success and Impact

SOLUTIONS TO BIG ISSUES ARE BEST BUILT WITH OTHERS”

INTRODUCTION

It is with great pleasure that I present to you the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Strategic Framework 2016-2020. Titled “a nation free from drowning” it outlines this aspiration, and sets out the strategic priorities which will guide our work in coming years.

We are approaching a landmark year. In 2019, Royal Life Saving will celebrate 125 years of saving lives in Australia. In acknowledging this milestone it is important that we reflect on our achievements, consult with our partners and reinforce our commitment to reduce drowning and increase swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills across the Australian community. Over the past century our vision has remained the same, and we have always sought to reduce drowning, to increase physical activity, especially in and around the water, and to contribute to the creation of more resilient communities, Australian wide.

These eight priority areas will be delivered with a commitment to data, to advocacy and to action. This is our leadership formula, though we don’t use the term ‘leadership’ lightly. Our leadership places the issue in focus, makes every effort to collaborate with openness, and recognises that solutions to big issues are best built with others. Finally, we seek to be data driven, innovative and to communicate with purpose. This strategic framework is a team effort. It represents the collective effort of our Members, Board, Staff, volunteers and partners. It is a framework to realise our goals as an organisation, and to reinforce our commitment to the Australian community.

Achieving these long term goals requires a deliberate effort to promote change. This change is best identified as; • Shifts in our knowledge or advances in the evidence base • Newly developed or adjusted policies that impact drowning prevention or that promote water safety

Justin Scarr Chief Executive Officer Royal Life Saving Society - Australia

• Increases in community water safety awareness and education • Increased adoption of the risk management systems that make aquatic environments safer • Shifts in individual and community behaviours, particularly among those at greatest risk

Research Policy & Advocacy

The many challenges and opportunities of a nation free from drowning are outlined in the infographic by McCrindle. It encompasses all the elements, demographics, data and programs that impact our work.

Community Awareness & Action

Over the next four years we will focus on eight priority areas: • Drowning prevention leadership • Research, policy and advocacy • Community awareness and action • Swimming, lifesaving, water safety pathway • Drowning prevention leadership abroad • Safe aquatic locations

Organisational Cohesion & Growth

• Organisational cohesion and growth • People and culture 5

DROWNING IS AMONGST THE TOP FOUR LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS MANY COUNTRIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

ROYAL LIFE SAVING COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS SwimSafe acts as an immunization to drowning in Bangladesh, Thailand, & Vietnam. x500,000 STUDENTS 83% reduction in drowning

372,000 DEATHS

by drowning each year

40 deaths per hour

Prevent drowning deaths of children under 5 years

THE TALK

Drowning rates in Asia are more than ten times higher than in Australia.

Highest rates for drowning amongst children under the age of 5

Promote safe aquatic recreation & prevent drowning in inland waterways

Increase swimming & water safety skills of Australian children

ROYAL LIFE SAVING IS WORKING TO BUILD A GLOBAL PLATFORM TO REDUCE DROWNING

Highlight the drowning risk in older people and communicate simple drowning prevention tips

9 AUSTRALIA’S TOTAL POPULATION

24,096,659

WHO GLOBAL REPORT ON DROWNING: 10 KEY ACTIONS TO REDUCE DROWNING

Install barriers controlling access to water Provide safe places (for example, a crèche) away from water for pre-school children with capable child care

Build resilience and manage flood risks and other hazards locally and nationally

Teach school-age children basic swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills

Coordinate drowning prevention efforts with those of other sectors and agendas

Train bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation

Develop a national water saftey plan

The Challenges of a Nation

82% of Australians live within 50km of the coast

Set and enforce safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations

WA 34

Strengthen public awareness and highlight the vulnerabililty of children

Address priority research questions with well-designed studies

SINCE

1894 ROYAL LIFE SAVING HAS BEEN TRAINING AUSTRALIANS.

EVERY YEAR ROYAL LIFE SAVING EDUCATES OVER

ONE MILLION

1.48

MYTH

FACT

CPR is conducted by strangers on most occasions

CPR is usually conducted by a family member

96%

96% of people believe everyone should learn CPR

OVER THE PAST YEAR, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS WERE TRAINED BY ROYAL LIFE SAVING***

3,200

COMMUNITY LIFESAVERS EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE Swim and Survive, Water Smart, Bronze medallion, E-Lifesaving, Grey Medalion

TRAINING PROGRAMS INCLUDE First Aid and Emergency Care, CPR, Pool Lifeguarding, Pool Operations

public, educational & private swimming pools

104,175 Australians trained in First Aid

161,614

Australians trained in resuscitation

16,136

24 Australians die from heart attacks each day

GROUPS AT INCREASED RISK OF DROWNING

Pool lifeguards trained last year

REASONS FOR ENCOURAGING CPR AND FIRST AID TRAINING TECHNOLOGY Many programs are now being delivered online, in addition with traditional face-to-face pracitces. Online training is valuable for remote learners.

ABORIGINAL & TORRESS STRAIT ISLANDER

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

Less than 1 in 3 Australian employees (31%) feels confident to perform first aid in a workplace emergency MIGRANT & REFUGEES

SAFER AQUATIC LOCATIONS

CULTURALLY & LINGUSITICALLY DIVERSE

RURAL & REMOTE

DROWNING NG

REDU CI

PARENTS Children under age 7 make up 9% of the Australian population

50%

ROYAL LIFE SAVING NATIONAL FATAL DROWNING DATABASE

S ATH DE

TARGETING...

BY 2020

NEW ARRIVALS 55% of population growth in Australia is net overseas migration

284 deaths

80%

PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS Primary school age students (aged 8-12) make up 6.1% of the Australian population

STATE & TERRITORY FATAL DROWNING PROFILES ACT NSW

deaths per 100,000**

QLD

TAS

VIC

1.61

1.01

102

average deaths per year*

0.56 1.46 3.87

Nation Free from Drowning

9% 7% OTHER

28%

3.87

15%

QLD 70

SWIMMING POOL

1.61

RIVER, CREEK, STREAM

LOCATION OF DROWNINGS

LAKE/ DAM/ LAGOON

28%

INNER REGIONAL

30%

FACT

TOP 10 RIVER DROWNING BLACK SPOTS

NSW

Brisbane River (QLD)

102

Yarra River (VIC)

Swan River (WA)

Hawkesbury River (NSW)

Murrumbidgee River (NSW)

ACT

Sandy Creek (QLD)

Derwent River (TAS)

Katherine River (NT)

1.46 5

REGIONAL & REMOTE

34%

International tourists are most at risk of drowning

LESS THAN

0.56

CHILDREN 0-4 YRS

of drowning deaths are international tourists

drowning deaths per year*

2.12

drowning deaths per 100,000

Target: Adult Supervision

CHILDREN 5-14 YRS

drowning deaths per year*

10 Macquarie River (NSW) 3

0.75

of drowning deaths happen in rivers

Murray River

VIC

FACT

MYTH

BEACH

Most drowning deaths occur at beaches

36%

17%

15%

MYTH

MAJOR CITIES

OCEAN, HARBOUR 7

DROWNING INCREASES IN REGIONAL AREAS

BATHTUB/ SPA/ BATH

1.01

100,000

2.40 0.75 1.48

NT have consistently had a drowning rate which is three times the national average

deaths per

per year*

RETIREES Retirees (70+) make up 9% of the Australian population

1.31

20%

0.50 drowning deaths per 100,000

Target: Swimming and Water Safety Lessons YOUNG PEOPLE, 15-24 YRS

MALES & FEMALES, 65+

TAS 11

2.40

drowning deaths per year*

1.18

drowning deaths per 100,000

Target: Risk taking behaviours particulalry the use of alcohol & other drugs while boating or swimming

MYTH

MALES, 25-64 YRS

drowning deaths per year*

1.78 drowning

deaths per 100,000

Target: Know their limitations and aware of medical conditions

For more information visit:

www.royallifesaving.com.au

124 2.14 drowning drowning deaths per year*

TOP 3 REASONS WHY CHILDREN ARE MISSING OUT ON SWIMMING LESSONS

deaths per 100,000

Target: The importance of wearing a lifejacket

COST OF LESSONS

COST OF TRANSPORT

97% of people believe all children should be taught swimming and water safety at school

97%

CULTURAL BARRIERS

FACT

LESS THAN

60%

of Australian children can swim 50m at age 12

* data taken from the Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database and covers a 10 year period from 2004/05 to 2013/14. **

Infographic created by

All Australian Children can swim before leaving primary school

Rates expressed are per 100,000 people.

***

Royal Life Saving Training Numbers 14/15 FY.

OUR VISION

A NATION FREE FROM DROWNING” OUR PURPOSE

To lead efforts to reduce drowning and increase swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills.

OUR VALUES

• Leadership, Collaboration and Integrity • Humanitarianism and Social Entrepreneurship • Quality and Innovation • Diversity, Equality and Respect

DROWNING PREVENTION LEADERSHIP

DRIVING COMMITMENT AND ACTION IN SUPPORT OF THE AUSTRALIAN WATER SAFETY STRATEGY 2016-2020 Royal Life Saving has a resolute focus to do its bit - and encourage others to do theirs - to achieve the Australian Water Safety Council’s long-term goal of halving drowning deaths in Australia by 2020.

KEY OBJECTIVES • Provide effective stewardship of the Australian Water Safety Council • Align actions to the Australian Water Safety Strategy • Support State and Territory coordinated efforts * Facilitate high-value workshops, symposiums, conferences

RESEARCH, POLICY AND ADVOCACY

POSING QUESTIONS, SEEKING ANSWERS, STRENGTHENING EVIDENCE, POLICY AND PRACTICE We’re bringing science and advocacy to lifesaving. Striving to know exactly who was at risk of drowning - where, when and why. Seeking and testing answers on how to eliminate it. Advocating for change, and collaborative effort to reduce drownings impact on the community.

KEY OBJECTIVES • Utilise the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Database to inform policy and practice • Expand and communicate evidence-based approaches • Influence improvements in policy, legislation, regulation, program support • Evaluate initiatives to improve policy and practice

COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND ACTION

PROMOTING THE MANY BENEFITS OF SAFE AQUATIC ACTIVITY

KEY OBJECTIVES

While we talk about its perils, we actually love the water, and we want you and your family to love it too. With just a little advice, and a few key skills it can bring a lifetime of good health, fitness and family fun.

• Promote the benefits of safe aquatic pursuits

• Campaign to increase community awareness and action • Reach key audiences with innovation, perseverance and presence • Build stakeholder and community awareness of Royal Life Saving vision and impacts

SWIMMING, LIFESAVING, WATER SAFETY PATHWAY

BUILDING A NATION OF LIFESAVERS, A COMMUNITY FREE FROM DROWNING Remember the huddle position, search patterns, lifesaving sidestroke, and swimming in pyjamas. Learning lifesaving in school is as Australian as hot summer days, and gives many the skills and confidence to save a life.

KEY OBJECTIVES • Champion the case for Swim and Survive skills for all children • Promote community resilience through rescue, lifesaving and emergency care skills • Advocate on behalf of those who miss out on swimming and water safety skills • Foster pool lifesaving sport as vehicle for skills and leadership development

SAFER AQUATIC LOCATIONS

CHAMPIONING SAFETY IN ALL AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS

KEY OBJECTIVES

Our rivers are beautiful, but more people drown in them, than in any other location. The problem is you often can’t see the snags, the fast currents, or the freezing temperatures. They can get you into trouble, and too often claim a life. It’s simple, respect the river.

• Support industry development initiatives

• Strengthen safety and risk management in all aquatic venues • Deliver quality, innovative, customer and safety focused training • Reduce risk at known inland waterways black spots

DROWNING PREVENTION LEADERSHIP ABROAD

ADDING OUR ENERGY, EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT TO SAVE LIVES ACROSS THE REGION In 2011 we hosted the World Conference on Drowning Prevention, not in Sydney or Canberra but in Vietnam. Our goal was to highlight the hidden epidemic of drowning across Asia, start a revolution and build a global platform. Lots has happened since; WHO released the first Global Report on Drowning and an implementation guide, and new donors are joining the effort. There is a real sense that our energy has resulted in real, sustainable change.

KEY OBJECTIVES • Facilitate efforts to reduce drowning in the Asia-Pacific region • Harness the energy, skills and commitment of the Australian community • Partner with the Australian Government, UN Agencies, NGOs and donors • Fund efforts through the social ventures, fundraising and development contracts

ORGANISATIONAL COHESION AND GROWTH

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

ROYAL LIFE SAVING NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE. BUILDING UPON OUR 120 YEAR HISTORY, OUR NATIONAL NETWORK, OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY.

Our people are our most essential asset, they bring commitment, energy, skills and reach into communities across the nation. Investing in them, bringing clear purpose, the resources they need, building partnerships and fostering innovation, will all amplify their impact.

ORGANISATIONAL COHESION AND GROWTH KEY OBJECTIVES

PEOPLE AND CULTURE KEY OBJECTIVES

• Govern with a common purpose, clarity of roles, commitment to the cause

• Invest in the skills, commitment and alignment of our people

• Foster the network of National, State and Territory partners

• Support a membership with deep connections to the Australian community

• Strengthen strategic partnerships

• Foster innovation, commitment, respect and accountability

• Develop sustainable funding streams, including the use of social enterprise 16

• Champion diversity, at all levels

OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR MOST ESSENTIAL ASSET” 17

SUCCESSES AND IMPACTS ROYAL LIFE SAVING MEASURES ITS SUCCESS BY

• Quantifiable reductions in drowning • Measurable increases in adoption of swimming, water safety and lifesaving programs • Adoption of RLS positions, publications, research and data • Recognition of Government, the community and our peers • Impacts across our network, among members and key stakeholders • Increased funds applied to our vision of a nation free from drowning • Measureable increases in issue awareness and attribution in the media • Increased support for drowning prevention by Government and the Australian community.

QUANTIFIABLE REDUCTIONS IN DROWNING” 18

Royal Life Saving Society - Australia Phone 02 8217 3111 E-mail info@rlssa.org.au Visit www.royallifesaving.com.au CONTACT ROYAL LIFE SAVING IN YOUR STATE OR TERRITORY: ACT

Phone 02 6260 5800 E-mail act@rlssa.org.au

NSW

Phone 02 9634 3700 E-mail nsw@royalnsw.com.au

Phone 08 8981 5036 E-mail nt@rlssa.org.au

QLD

Phone 07 3823 2823 E-mail admin@rlssq.com.au

Phone 08 8210 4500 E-mail training@royallifesavingsa.com.au

TAS

Phone 03 6243 7558

E-mail tas@rlssa.org.au

VIC

Phone 03 9676 6900 E-mail mail@lifesavingvictoria.com.au

Phone 08 9383 8200 E-mail info@rlsswa.com.au

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