"APOLA has called for immediate action in making lifejackets compulsory for all rock fishers in an effort to stem the increase in lives lost through rock fishing.
The question is – how many more deaths do we have to have before the preventative measure of having to wear lifejackets is compulsory for all rock fishers?
APOLA President Greg Hackfath "said that despite the great efforts of many government and non-government agencies targeting high risk rock fisher groups with great awareness programs in recent years, the time has arrived for lifejackets to be made compulsory for all rock fishers."
"Primary prevention in the form of a lifejacket is what is needed. I can’t see rock fishers objecting to wearing a lifesaving floatation device while they fish in this high risk rock fishing environment. Car drivers and passengers wear seatbelts, cyclists must wear approved headgear, sailors also must wear lifejackets, so I can’t foresee any problems with rock fishers having to wear a lifejacket," said Mr Hackfath.
"There is no argument that educational programs alerting people of the dangers associated with rock fishing, such as saying people should be prepared by wearing appropriate footwear and floatation aids, must continue, however the bare facts are that education alone has proven not enough to stop these unnecessary deaths,’ said APOLA Vice President NSW and former NSW award holder for Highest Contribution to Water Safety in NSW 2006, Mr Ian Vaughan.
"APOLA like other aquatic safety agencies are very much at the fore in developing rock fisher programs and safety aids such as the PaquaComms SOLAS, the rock fishers friend, that was endorsed at the recent annual national industry conference presented by APOLA and hosted by Kiama Municipal Council 28-30 April 2010,"said APOLA Media spokesperson Terry McDermott.
"APOLA, the organisation that speaks on behalf of professional ocean lifeguards, like others involved in air-sea rescue have become increasingly frustrated with recent comments from some agency heads who far removed from these rock fisher tragedies saying that compulsory wearing of lifejackets will not necessarily save lives," ’said Mr McDermott who has been involved with numerous rock fisher rescues and body recoveries in his 25 years as a professional ocean lifeguard.
"APOLA recently attempted to gain support for lifejackets to be made compulsory for all rock fishers in a rock fishing workshop held as part of the Australian Water Safety Council Conference only two weeks ago (13-14 May), however agencies that had invested considerable resources into rock fisher education were not yet persuaded to compulsory wearing of lifejackets," said John Andrews, National Secretary of APOLA.
" APOLA has now been successful in having the matter of compulsory wearing of floatation aids (lifejackets) for all rock fishers to be referred to the NSW Water Safety Advisory Committee Standards Sub-Committee for consideration as a matter requiring urgent attention, however it may be that the same agencies that had invested considerable resources into rock fisher education may still not be persuaded and give NSW Minister Greene no cause for introducing lifejackets as compulsory for all rock fishers, said Mr Andrews.
Mr Andrews went on to say "that people who have made public comments saying that making lifejackets compulsory for all rock fishers will not save lives are clearly out of touch with reality. It is a simple matter that if rock fishers are washed into the ocean and are wearing a floatation aid they will have a far greater chance of survival in the water, than if they don’t. There is a window for surviving in the ocean until rescue services arrive either by air or water and this window of a short time in sometimes very heavy conditions is presented if the rock fisher can stay afloat until help arrives, said John Andrews, Secretary of APOLA.
Currently in NSW it is mandatory that people engaging in the following activities must wear approved PFDs (lifejackets):
canoe/kayak or windsurfer/ kiteboarder when more than 400m from shore,
crew on boats under sail,
small boaters crossing bars,
PWC drivers, passengers and tow-in surfers
"Sea and weather conditions will continue to be dangerous for rock fishers, small boaters and inexperienced surfers. Check into an online weather site and also with Council lifeguards at the beach if beach and water safety information," said Mr McDermott.
More information
APOLA National Media Coordinator Terry McDermott Ph 0414 972 111
APOLA National President Greg Hackfath Ph 0418 285 073
APOLA National Secretary John Andrews Ph 0408 855 267
APOLA National Vice President NSW Ian Vaughan Ph 0403 502 757
APOLA’s TOP 6 BEACH SWIM TIPS
1. Swim between the red and yellow flags which indicate the supervised swimming area: No flags = No Swim
2. Look for, read and obey water safety signs
3. Check swimming conditions and the water depth before swimming - never dive head first
4. Swim under supervision or swim with a mate - never go in alone
5. Never swim directly after eating or under the influence of drugs including alcohol
6. Learn how to recognise rips and keep clear of these areas - if caught in difficulty stay calm, float with the current and call out HELP and wave an arm if help is nearby
AND REMEMBER when in the sun always SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SLURP and WRAP (slip on a shirt or rashie, slop on sunscreen to protect exposed skin, slap on a hat, drink water, and wear sunglasses with a hat when not swimming)"
www.apola.asn.au
APOLA Inc is a non-profit professional association that is recognised as the peak professional association for Australian professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards. It promotes best practice in ocean water safety and beach management and coordinates professional ocean lifeguard activity in lifeguard training, community education, tourism support, public relations, regulation and risk management in consultation with Councils and their professional lifeguards. Typically Council professional ocean lifeguards wear the nationally endorsed workplace uniform for Council Professional Ocean Lifeguards which includes a long sleeve white workshirt with blue collar and cuffs with the word LIFEGUARD in block red on the front and back together with blue shorts or blue long pant, or full blue uniforms as seen on the popular award winning television series Bondi Rescue.
