Westhaven, Auckland – Drowning Prevention Auckland, the lead agency for water safety coordination and education in the Auckland region, wants to share its four main messages to remember this summer.
Sadly, in 2017 22 people died in preventable drowning incidents in Auckland, double that of 2016. Most (68%) of the drownings in Auckland were male, and almost a quarter (23%) each were aged 15-24 years and over 65 years.
Over half (55%) of the drownings were immersion incidents where people hadn’t intended being in the water. The highest environmental risk in Auckland is beaches where almost one quarter (23%) of drownings occurred. The rate of drowning in the Auckland region at (1.7 per capita) remains one of the lowest in the country. [1]
There have been 12 preventable* drowning deaths in Auckland in the year to December 7, 2018, as per the Water Safety New Zealand report.
Our vision is an Auckland, free from drowning, achieved through the development of water competence and changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours around water.
The four main messages we suggest all Aucklander’s remember this summer are:
Don’t putyour life on the line, wear a LIFEJACKET. Lifejackets are essential for all recreational activities on the water. Everyone on board a boat 6 metres and under should wear a lifejacket. Make sure the lifejacket fits you correctly. Adults wearing lifejackets in front of the children sets a good example.
Reach me, See me, Hear me. Active supervision of children at all times is crucial to prevent drownings from happening. Active supervision means children are within sight and reach and the supervisor isn’t distracted. Add other layers of protection such as pool fences and gates or eliminating the risk by emptying paddling pools after use. Chief executive of Drowning Prevention Auckland, Davin Bray has said “drowning is silent – there is no splash or scream to alert you. As a father I know how quickly things can happen with children, who are inquisitive and naturally drawn to water”.
Don’t underestimate the risks, don’t overestimate your ability Know your limits. Don’t assume your level of competence in the pool is the same in moving, cold open water.
4Rs Bystander Rescue = Recognise, Respond, Rescue,Revive. Recognise: Drowning occurs quietly so its important to recognise when someone is in trouble. Look for signs of distress,like they can’t swim or they look afraid or like they are struggling. Shout“Are you ok”. Ask yourself how you think you can help. Also think, how can others help. Respond: If the person needs help, provide flotation. Send for help, get someone to call 111 and ask for police. Rescue: Rescuing from land is the safest. Getting in the water puts the rescuer at risk of drowning themselves. If there is no other option, remember to take a flotation aid. Stay clear of the person – a drowning person can easily drag you under. Often reassurance and encouragement to kick, float on their back or swim to safety can work. Revive: Provide care to rescued person. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally start CPR. If breathing, keep airway clear and put in recovery position. Stay until help arrives. Ensure the person gets medical attention.
Westhaven, Auckland – Drowning Prevention Auckland with 360 New Zealand’s expertise have developed a New Zealand first eLearning platform for water safety and have updated their website. The online programme allows participants to learn about the basic water competencies from anywhere in the world, free of charge.
The aim of our eLearning platform is to increase the
understanding and knowledge of water safety, as well as assist in the
development of practical skills, within the community, workplace and school.
Participants can acquaint themselves with competencies before practising in a pool
or open water. The area of focus for this online programme has enormous
potential as it is designed to suit a range of participants. The current eLearning programme is designed
for teenagers, adults, parents and educators.
We captured video footage in three separate water environments –
controlled water, open water and moving water. The eLearning platform has
modules relating to the unique 15 water competencies as per research conducted
by Stallman, R.K., Moran, K., Quan, L., & Langendorfer, S. (2017).
Learners can complete a variety of tasks within each module. The tasks have
student activities, teaching resources and videos that demonstrate the
competency.
The interactive platform allows for sustainable learning, overall
consistency of education and a free online tool accessible to all.
The eLearning platform is a sustainable form of aquatic education
accessible to many people; whilst not replacing practical learning. It is
another tool that aids in drowning prevention education. Drowning Prevention
Auckland will continue to develop this online learning experience by including
further resources and guides that link to the 15 water competencies.
Drowning Prevention Auckland’s Chief Executive; Davin Bray says that the eLearning platform has been a lot of work in the making and is glad that it has culminated in a New Zealand first. He continues to say there are so many benefits to the platform including the fact that we can educate so many more people with our consistent messages.
This scholarship is attached to a Water Safety New Zealand funded study that is focused on understanding how different factors contribute to drowning risk for different individuals and groups and aims to ensure the water safety sector can:
design interventions that will result in meaningful change to a person’s behaviour that will lower their drowning risk
target interventions at the individuals who we have identified as at highest risk of drowning.
Water Safety New Zealand are interested in research in relation to targeted communities or groups who have a specific risk profile. Therefore, research on risk should be considered within the context of the specific environment or communities of interest.
Communities of Interest
For the purposes of this research, Water Safety New Zealand are interested in research on People and Prevention within the Auckland or Northland region. The research topic should include one of the following communities of interest:
People
Males aged 45+ with an emphasis in Northland on males aged 65+ years
Pacific People
Maori
New migrants, tourists and visitors to New Zealand
Environments
Salt water environments Beaches, Offshore and Tidal waters
Home pools
Activities
Immersion incidents (incidents where the deceased never intended on getting into the water),
Powered boats, swimming and underwater activities (diving) are the most common activities.
The research project will be supervised by Dr Denise Atkins – Email: denise.atkins@aut.ac.nz and Dr Matt Barker email: mbarker@aut.ac.nz – School of Sport and Recreation.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the Scholarship Regulations and apply online via the application portal available from the AUT Scholarships databasewww.aut.ac.nz/scholarships
Our Water Safety Champion Awards, recognising organisations, community groups and individuals that have demonstrated commitment, initiative and leadership in the ‘championing’ of water safety education in the Auckland region. This could include delivering water safety education, creating or implementing solutions that address specific behaviours or problems, or raise awareness around a specific drowning issue.
Congratulations to all that got nominated, were finalists and winners of the Water Safety Champion Awards this year.
Individual Water Safety Champion
Finalists
David Zhu In this past year David has contributed to water safety in the following ways:
– Collaborated with DPA on various water safety programs and presentations focussed the North Shore Chinese community. These presentations included Rock Fishing seminars, mum and kids water safety workshops, learn to surf and he helped us deliver our west coast experience to Chinese youth.
– David also helped us interpreting to the Chinese community
Gill Bloxham Gill has been instrumental in improving both her students at Rutherford college’s knowledge and understanding about water safety but also the community.
In order to get the school pool used more she also asked DPA to train her junior sports committee so she could use both junior and senior sports committee members to supervise free swimming at lunchtimes at the school.
Gill has been instrumental in a number of her students getting qualified with their PLPC during the school holidays through the Gateway programme. All in the hopes of making opening the school pool to the community over the summer months a possibility and using students as lifeguards to lead this.
Kaleb Cave Kaleb is the Manukau Cruising Clubs new Fishing Captain this year and he comes with a passion at getting kids outdoors with their families and into fishing .
Kaleb’s key message is keeping our tamariki safe , healthy and happy and is a champion in promoting water safety around land based fishing .
He is also actively promotes water safety in his land based fishing excursions with adult groups.
Geoffrey Bray Sgt Geoff Bray of the NZ Police National Dive Squad has been active in drowning prevention for over eight years.
He spends a huge amount of his personal time volunteering assisting charities and community members with river safety training. You can find him on his days off helping out at Vector Wero, giving advice to staff and to other stakeholders across the region.
He also is on the global board (voluntary) for the International Technical Rescue Association and an instructor for this organisation. He is active in talking to fellow divers about diver safety which actively contributes to drowning prevention.
Winner: Geoffrey Bray
Community Water Safety Champion
Finalists
AUT Millennium AUT Millennium is one of the biggest providers of water safety education in Auckland. Our Schools Water Safety, Waterwise and Learn to Swim Programmes are predominantly populated by local North Shore schools, and the School EOTC Activity Days, which includes the Water Safety programme, is extended to schools across wider Auckland.
They are the largest provider of Coastguards “Safe Boating Program” in NZ
John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams
Established in 2008 Community Swim has provided over 1,000,000 free swim lessons throughout primary schools in Auckland South. The goal of the Community Swim Programme is to enable all children to develop the basic life skill of swimming and to realize the opportunities that await them when the door to the world of aquatics is opened. Community Swim takes away barriers teachers and schools face in providing basic yet essential swimming and water safety skills. Students are picked up from school in the Community Swim buses and driven to one of our pools in south and east Auckland, where they receive seven swimming lessons.
Harbour Sport Harbour Sports ActivAsian program has contributed to water safety in the Auckland region in a number of ways in the past year.
Collaborated with DPA on various water safety programs and presentations focussed the North Shore Chinese community. These presentations included Rock Fishing seminars, mum and kids water safety workshops, learn to surf and he helped us deliver our west coast experience to Chinese youth.
They have also helped us interpreting to the Chinese community
Manukau Cruising Club The Manukau Cruising Club promote water safety consistently. The club is not only advocates but influencer’s in making a difference in sailing, boating, fishing and other water activities.
There key initiatives are:
– Water Safety Knowledge
– Understanding Risk
– Survival Skills
– Parents Improving their knowledge
– Ensuring Life Jackets are a key component for safety in our water activities
– Supporting water safety initiatives
Winner: Manukau Cruising Club
Long Service Water Safety Champion
Finalists
Karla McCaughan Karla has been involved in the aquatics industry for 30 years. She lives and breathes swimming and water safety and is passionate about drowning prevention, especially in the Under-5 age group. She has developed several programmes that work towards achieving zero drowning in this age group by the year 2020. She recently entered into a partnership with Plunket Auckland with the goal of providing free basic water safety education to all Auckland preschoolers. To date, they have delivered to over 75,000 children, with a target of 100,000 by the end of 2017. In 2000 she established a boutique Swim School called Little Dippers that has successfully taught over 20,000 Northland children to swim
Ian Ferguson Ian Ferguson is a household name, thanks to his impressive Olympic gold winning endeavours at Kayaking. What is not so well recognised, was his dream and passion in creating Vector Wero whitewater park. Now retired, he can be proud of this legacy of this world class facility. It would be nice to see him recognised for his significant contribution to creating a space that actively reduces drowning through education.
There has been 12 preventable* drowning deaths in Auckland in the year to November 27, 2020, reports Water Safety New Zealand.
There were 17 preventable* drowning deaths in Auckland in the 2019 year, reports WSNZ.
There were 13 preventable* drowning deaths in Auckland in the 2018 year; reports WSNZ. 79% of these preventable drownings were male. 21% were 15-24 year olds and 36% of them were from the 65+ age group. 64% of these drownings were at beaches.
In 2017 22 people died in preventable drowning incidents in Auckland, double that of the 2016 number. 68% of the drownings in Auckland are males and 23% each from the 15-24 age group and the 65+ age group.
Immersion incidents had the highest activity drowning percentage at 55%. Beaches had the highest environmental percentage at 23%. The rate of drowning in the Auckland region at (1.7 per capita) remains one of the lowest in the country.
The sun may be out but don’t be fooled into thinking conditions are safe, Auckland’s rock fishing safety task force warns fishers as they head out to take advantage of the long weekend and break in the weather to go fishing at their favourite west coast spot.
“We appeal also to the families of the [mainly] men who fish off the rocks to urge their fathers, husbands and sons to act responsibly, especially around wearing a lifejacket, so they get home safely at the end of the day,” says Davin Bray, Chief Executive, Drowning Prevention Auckland.
There remains a significant risk attached to west coast rock fishing, a risk that is heightened when a big surf is running, all it takes is one rogue wave to dislodge a person, says Surf Life Saving Northern Region Operations Manager Adam Wooler.
“Wearing a lifejacket may mean the difference between life and death, and every incident on the rocks doesn’t just put the person in the water at risk – it also poses a risk to others trying to assist them, including our lifeguards,” he says.
The arrival of summer and holidays has seen a surge in numbers fishing off the rocks and the task force has been carrying out campaign activities to raise awareness about the risks involved, including Rock Fishing Safety Advisor ‘Rockman’ Sam Turbott who, along with jet ski driver Willy Goer, cruises the coastline gathering data on fisher activity, surveying fishers and passing on valuable safety advice.
“Thanks to the support of Dunedin company TracPlus who loaned us a GPS tracking device, we are able to geo-reference the rock fishing hotspots and help keep Sam safe by knowing where he is at all times,” says Adam.
Drowning Prevention Auckland, Surf Life Saving Northern Region and Auckland Council are partners in a joint task force aimed at reducing fatalities among the fisher population on Auckland’s unpredictable and wild west coast.
“Our joint campaign has made a significant impact on reducing the number of drownings and influencing behaviour change. However, there is more work to do as some fishers continue to place themselves at risk by choosing not to wear a lifejacket, which could ultimately save their life. The west coast is a dynamic environment that requires respect in order to stay safe,” says Auckland Council’s Parks, Sports & Recreation Manager Mace Ward.
Ends
For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:
The West Coast Rock Fishing Safety project has been in place 12 years, during which time drowning fatalities have reduced to less than one per annum. The annual project survey report, authored by Auckland University researcher and Drowning Prevention Auckland Board Member Dr Kevin Moran, offers an insight on to the impact of this collaborative intervention. During the 2016-2017 season, 211 rock-fishers were interviewed on their thoughts and habits around rock-fishing risks and precautions. It showed that 24% of those interviewed didn’t “often” or “always” use a lifejacket on the rocks, with no change from 2016 (24%), but dramatically down on the 40% in 2015. This is of concern. Positively, there was almost a four-fold increase in fishers sometimes wearing a lifejacket, (41%, 2017; 11%, 2016), and fishers reporting they never wore a lifejacket dropped by almost 50% (37%, 2017; 65%, 2016). Read Dr Moran’s 2017 report.
Safety advice for rock fishers
Wear a lifejacket – this offers the best chance of survival should you fall in the water.
Wear light, warm clothing and sport shoes – not gumboots.
Check the swell, weather and tide forecast before choosing your fishing location.
Avoid getting cut off by an incoming tide, plan an escape route.
Keep your eyes on the sea, be prepared to climb to safety.
Fish with someone who has fishing experience and knows the site well.
Follow the advice of safety signs and warnings.
Know who and how to get help in an emergency, carry a mobile, call 111.
Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
If someone falls in the water:
Pick up an angel ring or flotation device
Throw it to the person in the water
Call 111 for police, report your location and emergency. Send someone to find help, a lifeguard.
It’s not rocket science; preventing your child from drowning is as simple as putting your device away and focusing your attention on them, say Drowning Prevention Auckland and Auckland Swimming Association in a call out to families making plans for the long weekend.
“In the seconds it takes for you to post on Facebook or Instagram, tragedy could strike.”
Seven children aged under five years drowned in New Zealand last year, more than double the previous year, and sadly all too preventable.
“Children are attracted to water and whether it’s pool, beach or bath, the number one solution is active supervision by an adult at all times,” says Davin Bray, Chief Executive, Drowning Prevention Auckland.
“For under-5s that means being within sight and reach, without distraction, and for older ones knowing where they are and what they are doing,” adds Brett Green, Chief Executive Officer, Auckland Swimming Association.
“At social gatherings around water we suggest having a responsible adult actively on duty as the ‘water watcher’ while others are busy with organising food or other activities and no, that’s not the lifeguard’s job.”
Being able to see where older children are, what the water is doing and how to prevent them getting in to difficulty in the first place, will also help avoid a repeat of recent drownings as result of attempted rescues by parents.
Swimming lessons can give parents a false sense of security, even competent swimmers can get in to difficulty, says Brett.
“If faced with this situation, we urge anyone to take the time to assess the risks and their own level of water competency, and only enter the water if they have some form of flotation with them.”
To date, Auckland has had a drowning free 2018, and that’s the way Drowning Prevention Auckland and Auckland Swimming Association would like it to stay.
We have great pleasure in announcing the finalists in the inaugural Drowning Prevention Auckland ‘Water Safety Champion Awards 2017’. Our heartiest congratulations to all the finalists, winners will be announced at the our AGM, 4pm-6pm, Thursday 30 November 2017.
Individual Water Safety Champion
Tenga Schwalger-Teura (The Fono); and
Ron Bird (Waterfront Services).
Community Water Safety Champion
YMCA;
Belgravia Leisure; and
Swimsation Swim Schools.
Long Service Water Safety Champion
Karla McCaughan; and
Judy Tipping.
The Awards recognise individuals, community groups, organisations or businesses that have demonstrated commitment, initiative and leadership in the ‘championing’ of water safety in the Auckland region. This includes delivering water safety education, creating or implementing solutions that address behaviour or an identified issue, or raising awareness.
We are pleased to announce the inaugural Drowning Prevention Auckland* ‘Water Safety Champion Awards 2017’ in recognition of individuals, community groups, organisations or businesses that have demonstrated commitment, initiative and leadership in the ‘championing’ of water safety in the Auckland region. This could include delivering water safety education, creating or implementing solutions that address behaviour or an identified issue, or raise awareness. Nominations are now open. (*Drowning Prevention Auckland is the working name of WaterSafe Auckland Inc.).
Categories:
Community Water Safety Champion
Individual Water Safety Champion
Long Service Water Safety Champion
Timeframe:
Tuesday 31 October 2017 – Nominations close
Friday 3 November 2017 – Finalists announced
Thursday 30 November 2017 – Awards presented at DPA AGM
Crab fishing is becoming more popular, particularly at Northland beaches such as Uretiti and Waipu, where there have been three drownings since 2011. In an effort to prevent further loss of life WaterSafe Auckland joined forces with Surf Life Saving Northern and the New Zealand Police, establishing the Crab Fishing Safety Project. The following story, as told by fisher Yan Li in how own words, illustrates the impact of such a collaboration and delivery.
-Begins-
Background: I always wanted to thank you for the Safe Crab Fishing event that WaterSafe Auckland, Surf Life Saving and NZ Police organised. I thought the safety guidance, advice and support are crucial to keep safe. So I used any opportunity to spread these safety advice, but before yesterday, these safety advice was just advice, till I saved a man’s life. I would like to share what happened to you, hope this story could help more people to stay safe and help others.Yesterday (08/02/2016), I went to Waipu, Marsden Point, to catch crabs with my friends (I don’t need more people, but as you said “never go alone”. I decided to bring more people). Before I go, I have checked, the weather would be fine, low tide would be at 13:09, swell would be 1~1.5 m. I have arrived Marsden Point around 13:15. There were lots of people already, around 100~200. I placed crab nets nearly 30~50m from shore.
Story: At the beginning, the wave feels fine, but getting higher and higher. The first catch was very good, got around 40 carbs from the first catch. Waves got higher around after 14:00, when I think back. At that point of time, when people were having fun, nobody noticed waves were getting higher. When I tried to retrieve my friend’s crab net, I felt very strong pulling power from the sea and first time felt the offshore wave that you have mentioned many times. It was very difficult for me to swim back with the crab net. I soon decided to let it go and swim back, waves were very strong, push me very far away from where I was. I knew there was a sudden drop area, so I place the crab net far away from there, but I have been pushed to that area by waves just in a few seconds. I tried to swim so hard, the best I can do was remain my old position.Thanks for the recommended life jacket (with collar), I was very confident and calm enough to check my direction. People would get bit disoriented when waves keep hitting their heads. Because I have confidence on my equipment, I have time to calm down and make right decisions, instead of too panic then just struggle for life. I chose backstroke style to swim, so I can take advantage from waves. Waves actually pushed me heading to shore at them same time I would not be pulled by offshore wave beneath the water. On my way back to the shore, I saw a man without life jacket stuck in the sea. I knew for my situation, I was not able to help him, so I yelled him “hang in there, I swim back, call for help.” P.S. You were right, when people are drowning, they cannot call for help. I spent a few minutes to swim back. Then I told the drowning man’s friends to help him, his friends approached him and saved him later. I decided not go too far anymore.Around 16:15 I saw another man (with life jacket no collar, I will call him man B, I didn’t ask anyone’s name) stuck in the sea. He had stuck at the same spot struggling for 5-10 minutes, till people were aware of he was in danger. I approached the man was just saved (the man has no life jacket, I will call him man A), told him “your friend is in danger, we need to help him.” He asked me “can I borrow your life jacket”. “Of course” I said, “call more of your friends, don’t go by yourself, I will grab my rope. We do it together.” On the way to take my rope, I told my friend to call 111.
After your safety event, when I prepare equipment as you required, I thought it is no harm to buy a 50m rope just in case I may use it to rescue someone or myself. Then I tied my rope to the back of my life jacket, gave it to the man A. I held the end of the rope with 2 other men. Man A tried to approach the man B, after a few minutes swimming against waves, he swam back, “I got cramp” the man A said. I asked him to secure the rope with me, changed another man (man C) to put life jacket on, jumped into the sea to save man B. Man C has managed to reach man B, but the best they can do was holding each other in waves to maintain their old position, but we were not afraid anymore, because this time we have a rope to connect us. They won’t be flushed to offshore. Three of us stood on shallow sea started pulling the rope. Man B was finally back to land.
I hope above story could make people safer. During this thing, one of my friend (Chinese speaking) tried to contact 111, but she had difficulty to describe the geographic location. It is kind of impossible to give GPS coordinate. I suggest some governmental unities could give a serial number to high risk beaches and put a sign on the beach. This will help the police call centre pinpoint location quicker and people who call 111 easier to describe location. If certain number of emergency calls were for one location, or people died at this location, someone give this location a serial number and make a big sign with the SN and how many people dead here. It will be easier to describe a geographic location.
PS: these men in risk were from South East Asia, I didn’t ask which country. I didn’t ask they names, neither took any photo, as it may make other people feel bad. I didn’t jump into the sea, because these people were panic, they were about to jump into the sea together to save the man. I thought it is better that someone could organise the rescue.
Yours Sincerely
Yan Li
Crab fisher, Member Asian Safety Patrol (NZ Police) and Interpreter,Crab Fishing Safety Project (WaterSafe Auckland, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, NZ Police)
Most people in trouble in the water don’t drown, but some rescuers do. In the last 30 years 88 people have drowned in New Zealand while attempting to rescue others. It is a little known fact that, in most cases, the original victim survived and the rescuer drowned. In 2014, 5 out of 9 drowning deaths on New Zealand beaches involved rescuers.
Each of the four awa/rivers within the maunga illustration represent one of our values:
Uara 1 – Aroha. The awa representing the value of kindness; humility; and empathy
Uara 2 – Whakapono. The awa representing honesty
Uara 3 – Ngā Ture. The awa representing integrity; humility
Uara 4 – Kotahitanga. The awa representing courage; selflessness
The confluence
The confluence is the place where the awa/rivers merge, signifying collaboration and the collective effort.
The confluence represents Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau’s vision.
Te moana
Te moana represents the three moana of Tāmaki: Te Mānukanukatanga o Hoturoa; Kaipara & Te Wai o te Matā.
This element represents Wai Or Tāmaki Makaurau’s mission.
An unfortunate set of circumstances
Auckland boatie Graham Barr has a simple message for all fellow boat users and fishers this summer: “Wear. A. Lifejacket.”
If anyone knows just how important that is, it’s Graham, who survived hours in the water after the boat that he and his son were fishing on capsized last summer in the Firth of Thames.
The Manurewa resident has been boating and fishing in Kawakawa Bay and surrounding areas his whole life and thought he’d pop out for a quick fish with his son David last March.
At about 6:30pm, as they were getting ready to head home, “an unlucky set of circumstances” began in which a wave swamped the boat just as Graham was pulling up anchor, at the same time, the boat turned and slipped onto it’s left side, it was upside down within seconds.
But being safety conscious boaties, Graham and David were wearing lifejackets which they inflated straight away.
With his cellphone now under water, Graham and his son tried righting the boat to no avail and so made the decision to stay with the boat until help arrived.
But as it grew darker and the current stronger, they made the decision to swim to Ponui Island, about 30 minutes away. “If we had stayed with the boat we would have ended up in the Firth of Thames!” Graham says.
At around midnight, after an intimidating and tiring swim, they lay down exhausted on the beach of Ponui Island, it was then they saw the police spotlight searching for them.
“We used our life jacket reflectors to catch their attention, they told us they put the lights out over the water to give us hope.”
While so many incidents like this can turn fatal, Graham and David’s did not due to their strong adherence to safety.
“To all boaties and rock-based fishers, lifejackets will save your life, wear them all the time you are out. What happened to us, happened so quickly there would have been no way I could have got the lifejacket on so you got to put them on the whole time you are out.” Graham says.
Now with his boat fully recovered, Graham is looking forward to heading out onto the water this summer. He’s not been deterred by his experience but has since purchased stabilisers for his boat and personal locator beacon.
Rajdeep Kaur describes the day that everything changed as “a day with nothing happening, no plans to go anywhere.”
One fine Sunday morning in November 2021, the family were at their home in Flat Bush. In a bid to stop her teenage sons from sleeping in all day, Radjeep accepted an invitation from a friend to join them for a walk in the Waitākere Ranges.
After the walk, Rajdeep, her husband Gurdeep, sons Manveer and Puneet, along with their friends, headed to Karekare Beach to rest and relax on the beach.
Despite it being early evening, and after the lifeguard patrol had finished, the boys decided to go for a quick swim. After some initial reluctance, Gurdeep decided to join them to keep an eye on his sons.
Both Rajdeep and Gurdeep grew up in India and had only swum in swimming pools. They were not very experienced with Auckland’s West Coast beaches. Radjeep describes her husband as “fit and strong” and her boys as “healthy and active”, both being involved in local football teams and swimming at North Shore and East Auckland beaches.
Not long after the boys, Manveer and Puneet, entered the water, they were caught in a rip and found themselves unable to touch the ground. Their dad swam out to assist but found himself in trouble too.
Fortunately, Shalema Wanden-Hannay, an off-duty lifeguard, spotted the family in trouble. By the time she was able to reach them, she found Gurdeep unconscious in the water and the two boys were encouraging each other to stay calm and stay above the water. Shalema was joined by fellow Karekare lifeguards and together managed to get the family back to the beach where they administered CPR. The boys were checked and monitored by St Johns Ambulance staff and Gurdeep was flown to Auckland Hospital by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a critical condition.
Gurdeep would spend ten days in hospital with a lung infection.
Once Radjeep arrived at the hospital, she recalls “Gurdeep was asking me about his boys, were they safe? It was the most important question to him. He asked me, have the boys drowned? I said no, he didn’t believe me. Police brought the boys to him, he didn’t believe me until he saw them in front of him,”
The whole family is full of praise for the Karekare lifeguards, police, St Johns Ambulance and rescue staff who helped on the day. They received counselling afterwards but it has still been a long road to recovery. Puneet was initially hesitant to return to the water but both boys have now been back to the beach helped in part by the water safety lessons Manveer took with the Karekare lifeguards. They are now actively promoting water safety within their Sikh community.
Rajdeep explained “We had never been taught about beach safety, rips and things like that. I would just say, swim between the flags, a lot of people go into the water after the flags have gone down and I want to educate them not to do that.”
It was an empty Ohope beach in 2007 when I took a boogie board for a paddle in the shallows to cool down. It didn’t seem very long before I suddenly realised how far out I was. However much I tried I couldn’t get back and the breakers were rolling me over. My wife, having seen this, was running over the dunes screaming for help. A kayaker came out, grabbed my tee shirt and got me close enough to be pulled out. An ambulance had been called but as it couldn’t drive onto the beach the ambulance men and their gear were ferried across in someone’s ute. I was stretchered back the same way and taken to hospital. I had had a heart attack as a result of extreme exhaustion. It was a terrifying experience. The people on the beach and the ambulance men saved my life. ~ Eric Whitworth, June 2022, Wirral, UK
Remembering Changho
In 2003, Changho (Roger) Kim arrived in New Zealand with big hopes and dreams. Having recently completed his mandatory military service in Korea, the 27 year old was keen to spend a year studying English. His hope was to improve his job prospects and build a bigger, brighter life for the future family he planned for.
Family friend Diane Lee remembers Changho as a laughing, friendly young man who was well-liked by the other students. He spent Christmas with Diane and her family where he excitedly told her of his parents upcoming visit to New Zealand and his plans to return to Korea soon after.
After Christmas, Changho visited Auckland with friends then returned to Hamilton on December 27th. On their return trip, he and his friends stopped at a swimming spot on Cambridge’s Lake Karapiro called Keeleys Landing. It is believed Changho jumped into the water with his friends, despite being unable to swim.
Diane still vividly remembers that night. “It was almost dark….it was raining… I got a phone call….. it was from New Zealand police. My heart broke and I did not know what to do. I still can’t forget the dizzying feeling of that night, Roger had left us just like that.”
In the days that followed, Changho’s parents arrived and police searched frantically for his body. Diane and his parents were present when he was found and they were able to gently transport him home to Korea.
Changho’s death left so many questions for his New Zealand friends. “He hated water so much, why did he jump from that high diving point? Did he make the mistake of thinking he was a good swimmer like his friends? Was he trying to blend into the surrounding atmosphere even with his unfamiliar knowledge of the water?” Diane wonders.
For many years Diane returned to Keeley’s Landing every Christmas to remember Changho and throw flowers into the water.
“Even now, New Zealand’s waters have swallowed up more young Koreans, I earnestly pray there will be no more sad news. I pray for that,” she says.
A significant and long lasting impact for Neko
Andy Cleave, born and bred in Hawaii, grew up surrounded by water: swimming and surfing almost every day. Like many parents he was excited to share his love of all things aquatic with his son Neko as he raised him up around the aquatic playground of Auckland. Neko was a confident and competent water-baby until a non-fatal drowning incident a few years ago at a local community pool.
During a moment of distraction, Andy did not see Neko, then six years old, follow an older child into the deeper end of the pool. Suddenly, Neko was going under the water with his arms above his head, desperately trying to push off the bottom of the pool with his feet.
“I rushed to him so fast and beat the lifeguard who was closer to him,” Andy says.
The incident had a significant and long lasting impact on Neko and his attitude to water.
“It was really traumatic for while,” Andy explains. “He had been confident before but afterwards that confidence was gone. He would not go back in the water, in a pool or at the beach or even fishing. We went from going to the pools almost every weekend to not going at all.”
“I was really worried about it because I wanted him to enjoy water, especially as he got older, and I didn’t want him to miss out on doing things in the water with his friends.”
Six years later, Neko’s grandfather came across Drowning Prevention Auckland’s SPLASH holiday programme and Neko, with much hesitation, signed up at West Wave Pools this past April.
The Year Eight Rangeview Intermediate student loved the water competency course, learning a range of different water survival skills such as propulsion through the water, safe entry and exits, survival strokes and lifejacket use.
“The staff and the environment was so positive for him” Andy says. “No one talked down to him, they taught him on his level and made him feel more confident. They were able to push him and encourage him at his level. I wish I had done this course sooner”
Neko was named Most Improved Student at the end of the course and his dad has already noticed the impact of this. “He feels like he can now go in the deep end and not drown, he is so much more confident. Taking him to SPLASH is one of the best things I’ve ever done for my child.”
Neko is now a keen soccer player, representing Auckland at various age groups, but after the SPLASH programme he’s now feeling ready to swap the football field for the odd trip to the beach with his dad again this summer
Lucky Dad could reach me
Nearly seven years ago, I almost drowned. When I was waiting for my swimming lesson, I was playing on the steps with my friend. We were playing some games and next minute I knew I couldn’t find the steps and I sank. I couldn’t get my head above the water. I don’t remember how that felt but my Dad was in the pool with my sister in her swimming lesson and lifted me up. I threw up and then we left the pool. All parents should know that you should always be watching your kids around the water. Renee, age 11.
