With many people heading into a long weekend, Royal Life Saving is urging men to ‘Make the Right Call’ when they’re on, in, or near the water with their mates and families.

It continues to be a tragic summer. The Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning toll shows 62 people have drowned across Australia since summer started, a 19% increase on last summer.

Males make up 84% of all summer drowning deaths, with those aged between 18 and 64 years most at risk. More than one quarter (27%) have occurred in rivers, creeks, lakes, and dams.

Research shows the risk of drowning increases on public holidays.

Royal Life Saving’s Make the Right Call campaign encourages men to look after their mates to keep each other safe around water, especially when swimming, boating, and fishing this holiday long weekend.

Royal Life Saving Chief Executive Officer Justin Scarr said.

“Given we know that drowning risk increases on public holidays, we are asking men to make the right call and look after their mates to keep each other safe around water, especially when swimming, boating, and fishing this holiday long weekend.

“The best way for men to stay safe around water this weekend is to: avoid alcohol when you’re around water; wear a lifejacket if you are boating or fishing and never go alone.

The use of alcohol and drugs around water causes men to overestimate their swimming abilities, underestimate the dangers of hazards like currents, water depth and changes in conditions, both a recipe for increased drowning over the holiday weekend”, said Justin Scarr.

The Make the Right safety tips are:

1. Avoid alcohol around water
2. Wear a lifejacket when on the water
3. Avoid going alone around water

Royal Life Saving’s Make the Right Call campaign is supported by the Australian Government.

For Media Enquiries contact: Media Key on 0409 420 112 or 03 9769 6488.

For more information visit the Royal Life Saving website www.royallifesaving.com.au