Drowning in Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Although many drownings occur around water at the home, research shows that a high number of child drownings also occur at inland water ways. A 10 year analysis of drownings at rivers, creeks and streams between 2008 and 2018 showed that out of 1019 drowning deaths in Australia 27% (275 cases) occurred in rivers, creeks or streams. Although most of these drownings occurred in people over 15 years of age, preschool children are still at great risk when recreating with familiy and friends at inland waterways due to the quickly changing conditions and unforeseen dangers.

About the Waddles Program

The Waddles program aims to deliver education to parents and children around the different risks around varied water ways.

Waddles- Rivers and Creeks focuses on teaching young children about the dangers around rivers and creeks in a fun and engaging way and hopes to equip them with the skills to recognise dangerous situations and what they should do to stay safe. Young Children are inherently attracted to water, but do not necessarily understand the consequences should they fall in. Even young children who may possess basic aquatic skills are not water safe or ‘drown-proof’. As they may panic or forget their skills in an emergency or unfamiliar environment.

The Story

The story follows a family of ducks on a walk along their local River. Each duckling encounters a different element of danger at a river/creek. The repeated message throughout stresses two points – that these environments are dangerous to them, and they should be accompanied by an adult when near water.

This is reinforced by the tagline ‘Rivers and Creeks flow about, stay near an adult who can help you out.

Although the ducks in the animation do not enter the River whilst on their walk, Royal Life Saving NSW encourages parents and carers to involve their children in water familiarization and learn to swim classes from a young age, and to participate safely in all aquatic pursuits and environments.

Activity Sheets

A variety of activity sheets are accessible on the website, they are available for download and include the following:

• Dot to dots

• Colouring in

• Mazes

• Spot the difference

Syllabus Links

Certificate

At the completion of the Preschool Water Safety Program, teachers can award participating children with a certificate to recognise each student as a ‘Water Smart Kid’.

This certificate is available for download on the website under Delivery Resources. Centre’s are encouraged to present a certificate to each child who has watched the animation or attended a reading of the book, attempted some of the activities and has engaged with any additional water safety education delivered by your centre.

Royal Life Saving would also like to recognise each participating centre for your involvement in the program and, more importantly, your contribution towards child drowning prevention.

A centre certificate is available for download on the website under Delivery Resources. We encourage you to print and display this certificate at the completion of the program to promote your centre as being ‘Water Smart’.