Follow the water code to stay safe
After going through a three-day survival at sea, Rob Hewitt has some important advice to keep Aotearoa safe in the water.
Ex-Navy ships diver Rob Hewitt knows a thing or two about staying safe in the water. He somehow managed to survive after being stranded at sea for 75 hours.
Rob had been on a diving trip in 2006 but got separated from his mates and was forced to spend three nights bobbing in the ocean off the Kapiti Coast before being miraculously rescued.
Rob Hewitt's story of survival
To help prevent others going through a similar ordeal, he has some useful advice that could well save your life.
“There’s a little acronym I use, which is WET – Weather, Equipment and Tell someone,” he explains.
“It applies to all water activities you’re participating in – whether it be boating, jet skiing, diving or just going to the beach with your whanau. Check the weather, make sure it’s appropriate for what you want to do and take the right equipment,” he adds.
“If you keep to those simple rules and follow the Water Safety Code, you’ll have a great time and come back to your whānau.”
Hitting the hot spots
Rob says the country’s beaches, rivers, lakes and pools are all likely to be popular spots this summer as we make the most of the sunshine after a year of pandemic-based restrictions.
Keeping a close eye on young ones will be particularly important as people flock to the water.
“If you’re going out with your kids, make sure you know where they are at all times and have flotations devices close by,” Rob says.
“The rescuer often becomes the victim – we’ve seen that multiple times throughout New Zealand.”
Having fun in the wai is a way of life for all New Zealanders and nothing beats a quick dip, a manu off the wharf, catching a wave or gathering kai.
But water can also change our lives. Last year, we helped 38,000 people deal with water-related injuries.
Life-saving knowledge
After surviving his own brush with death, Rob now works for Water Safety NZ as a Māori kaihautū (leader) and helps save lives by sharing his knowledge.
ACC lends a hand by partnering with Water Safety NZ to help raise awareness of their Water Safety Code, as well as funding swimming and water safety skills programmes.
We can also support you and your whānau if you are injured in, on or around the water.
Water Safety Code
Be prepared – Check the weather, your gear and the water conditions.
Look after yourself and others – Adults, not children or teenagers, should always supervise little people and children around water.
Be aware of the dangers – Check for rips and currents, snags and rocks and don’t consume alcohol before a swim, dive or going fishing.
Know your limits – Do you know how to swim? If not, stay out. Remember, you will never be able to swim in the ocean as well as in a pool and cold water will make you tired.
More information on the Water Safety NZ website.
