Population-Level Awareness of Water Safety Messages: An Analysis of a Representative Sample From New South Wales, Australia.
4 affiliations
- 1School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
- 2UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
- 3School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
- 4Surf Life Saving Australia, Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
Issue addressed
The World Health Organisation recommends strengthening public awareness of drowning through strategic communications as a key drowning prevention strategy. This study aimed, for the first time, to assess population-level awareness of water safety messages in New South Wales, Australia.Methods
Via an age-sex representative sample survey, community beliefs around the number of water safety messages and awareness of messages (defined as having seen or heard) were examined. Message awareness variance between different demographics (gender, age group, country of birth, rurality and socio-economic classification of residence) and water use frequency groups was assessed using chi square tests.Results
The sample comprised 1495 people (52% female; 33% 45-64 years; 84% Australian-born and 78% metropolitan residents). Seventy-six percent did not believe the number of water safety messages promoted to the community was confusing. 'Swim between the flags' had the highest awareness among the sample (68%), followed by 'No flags, no swim' (53%). Despite no longer being actively promoted, 36% were aware of the message 'To escape a rip, swim parallel to the beach'. 'Respect the River' had significantly higher awareness among males, Australian-born and regional residents, at-risk cohorts for river drowning.Conclusions
Message longevity supports increased awareness, though awareness varies by message and demographic groups. Funding support to increase awareness should reflect drowning burden. So what? Funding, time, and specific calls to action will support moving from awareness to behaviour change.
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BibTeX
@article{peden2026populationlevel,
title = {{Population-Level Awareness of Water Safety Messages: An Analysis of a Representative Sample From New South Wales, Australia.}},
author = {Amy E Peden and Jasmin C Lawes and Rachel J Irvine},
journal = {Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/hpja.70261},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42893972},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Population-Level Awareness of Water Safety Messages: An Analysis of a Representative Sample From New South Wales, Australia.
AU - Amy E Peden
AU - Jasmin C Lawes
AU - Rachel J Irvine
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals
DO - 10.1002/hpja.70261
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42893972
AB - Issue addressed The World Health Organisation recommends strengthening public awareness of drowning through strategic communications as a key drowning prevention strategy. This study aimed, for the first time, to assess population-level awareness of water safety messages in New South Wales, Australia.Methods Via an age-sex representative sample survey, community beliefs around the number of water safety messages and awareness of messages (defined as having seen or heard) were examined. Message awareness variance between different demographics (gender, age group, country of birth, rurality and socio-economic classification of residence) and water use frequency groups was assessed using chi square tests.Results The sample comprised 1495 people (52% female; 33% 45-64 years; 84% Australian-born and 78% metropolitan residents). Seventy-six percent did not believe the number of water safety messages promoted to the community was confusing. 'Swim between the flags' had the highest awareness among the sample (68%), followed by 'No flags, no swim' (53%). Despite no longer being actively promoted, 36% were aware of the message 'To escape a rip, swim parallel to the beach'. 'Respect the River' had significantly higher awareness among males, Australian-born and regional residents, at-risk cohorts for river drowning.Conclusions Message longevity supports increased awareness, though awareness varies by message and demographic groups. Funding support to increase awareness should reflect drowning burden. So what? Funding, time, and specific calls to action will support moving from awareness to behaviour change.
SN - 1036-1073
ER -