NSW, ACT and Tasmania still suffer the highest rates of drowning in the country, and regional areas record drowning rates nearly double the rates of metropolitan areas. Together, we can change the tide by ensuring our water safety skills are up to date as we approach another scorching Summer.

Royal Life Saving has created a free downloadable Summer-Ready checklist designed to help you, your friends and your family ensure a safer summer. Now is the perfect time to:

• Learn to swim

• Gain the skills to save a life
• Chat with your doctor
• Check your medication

The record drownings experienced last summer were tragic losses, and how we prepare for this summer will be crucial. Whether people travel to the beach or enjoy their local waterway or pool, we all have a role to play to ensure our communities are ‘swim-ready’.