Add safety to fun in the sun

Danger is lurking in the sun, surf and sand this summer.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

SUN

Australia is, as Dorothea Mackellar wrote over a century ago, a sunburnt country. Our island nation is exposed to the elements, and so too are those of us who live here, bringing health risks not seen elsewhere. Mackellar wrote My Country as a homesick teenager in Britain, where her skin was no doubt pale and hidden away. These days, Australian teenagers are a little too blase about the risk of sunburn, but skin damage, and potentially lethal melanoma, can be prevented with a little effort.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, although it is hoped that, over time, the benefits of being sunsafe will be realised. Despite a generational shift in attitudes towards tanning, research by Cancer Council Australia has revealed 62 per cent of teenagers still ­believe their friends think a tan is a good thing.

Overall, 38 per cent of teens say they like to get a tan — among girls, it is 43 per cent — and there has been little improvement since the previous survey five years ago. Preventive health messages may struggle against peer pressure.

“We know that teens are influenced by their friends and 62 per cent of teens saying they believe their friends think a tan is a good thing, the reality is many teens may be seeking a tan this summer,” says the Cancer Council’s Sanchia Aranda.

Andrew Miller from the Australasian College of Dermatologists urges people to protect their skin from an early age.

“UV damage is cumulative, so tanning in your 20s will show as early ageing of your skin in your 30s and increase your chances of skin cancer in your 50s,” Miller says.

“You are better off embracing your natural skin tone and protecting your skin from the sun.”

Cancer is never far away. The latest national health survey ­results, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, say nearly one in three people have skin cancer, making it the most commonly ­reported cancer. Males were more likely than females to have cancer and at double the rate.

Other estimates suggest two out of three Australians will be ­diagnosed with skin cancer — usually non-melanoma skin cancer — by the time they turn 70. Melanoma skin cancer is diagnosed about 14,000 times every year, and about 1900 Australians will die from it. The highest rate of melanoma has been reported on the NSW north coast, followed by Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Prevention in Australia is largely left to the individual. Health groups recommend you slip, slop, slap, seek and slide — slip on a shirt, preferably a long-sleeve, collared sunsafe shirt; slop on a high SPF sunscreen and reapply as necessary; slap on a broad-brimmed hat; seek shade (not only during the middle of the day); and slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.

This summer is expected to be particularly hot — which, apart from sunburn, increases the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and burns from hot surfaces. So keep drinking water and stay cool.

SURF

Almost every Australian could get to the water today if they wanted to. In a country surrounded by ocean with capital cities on the coast and most communities on a waterway of some sort, it’s no surprise swimming has become a national pastime. Freestyle, the go-to stroke, was once known as the Australian crawl, and our swimmers are among the best in the world. Yet, tragically, people still drown in Australia, due to a lack of skill and awareness, distraction, and complacency — including swimmers being unfit or intoxicated. Water isn’t always harmless.

According to Royal Life Saving Australia, 249 people died in Australia in 2017-18. These included 18 children aged under five, nine aged 5-14, and 29 aged 15-25. It might be surprising to find out that 25 per cent of deaths occurred in a river, creek or stream, followed by 19 per cent at the beach. Deaths were more common in December and January, and on a weekend, with males more likely to drown than females. The statistics not only highlight the need for ongoing vigilance with regard to young children and unfenced deep water (if you have a pool, check the fence) but also the need to stop friends taking risks after drinking alcohol. Drownings can occur anywhere, at any time and among anyone, hence the need to always take care.

Surf Life Saving Australia is concerned that one in four people are unable to spot a rip in the ocean, raising the likelihood that they will find themselves among the 19 or so who drown each year as a result of rip currents. The organisation has launched a public safety campaign, the Think Line, as it tries to educate people about the dangers.

“Our message to beachgoers is, please, swim between the red and yellow flags, it is the area supervised by surf lifesavers and lifeguards who can assist you should something go wrong,” says Shane Daw, the SLSA’s national coastal risk and safety manager.

“But if you choose to swim out of hours or on unpatrolled beaches, use the Think Line to ‘Stop, Look and have a Plan’.”

If you decide not to swim, you will still need to take precautions on the water. Every year there are also accidents involving boats, kayaks, canoes, jetskis and other watercraft — the second most common activity leading to a drowning death last year was ­boating.

SLSA surveys have found clear disparities between perceived risk and reality, and a significant variations in ability. Often, people just don’t think the water, or what they’re doing in the water, might be dangerous, while sometimes they just don’t give regard to what might happen in an emergency. According to the 2018 survey, 30 per cent of adults had never swum 50m or more in the ocean, and only 27 per cent could float or gently swim for about 15 minutes if required.

Everyone should get outdoors, at every opportunity, and stay ­active. But before you make a splash, consider whether you’ll be able to get out of the water safely.

SAND

Summer brings everyone outdoors, even Australia’s deadliest critters. That can be a frightening thought and, on rare occasion, it can end in injury, illness, disease or even death. Recent shark attacks and crocodile sightings have demonstrated the danger of what lies beneath, but there are other threats on the sand and beyond. It’s not only the animals with very obvious teeth you should be worried about — even among holidaying humans, it can be dangerous out and about, while sometimes the smallest creatures pack the biggest punch.

If it’s new or unusual, and you’re out of your comfort zone, there will always be risk; what you do about it is up to you.

A study of bites and stings ­requiring hospital attention ­between 2000 and 2013 found bees and other insects posed the biggest threat to Australians, ­responsible for more than 76 per cent of all admissions. Snakebites accounted for more than 15 per cent of admissions and snakes were the deadliest venomous creature, causing 27 of the 64 deaths during the ­period.

Knowing your environment can help you reduce the likelihood of an unexpected bite or sting.

Recent shark attacks have prompted controversial control measures in some states, and a reminder that people should swim between the flags where possible. Similarly, with crocodiles on the move during wet weather, keep your wits about you and don’t venture into their habitat.

There are fears that this might be a particularly big season for box jellyfish, bluebottles and, in the north, the much-feared Irukandji jellyfish. Ask lifesavers where it is safest to swim and, if you’re stung, how best to treat it. Tropical areas also have the most to fear from mosquitoes, which can carry viruses and disease, and are generally harder to avoid.

While you can take care where you swim, step and sit over summer, and keep up the mozzie repellent, nets and candles, you might also consider whether you yourself are a danger to others. There are more people on the roads, going places they don’t normally go, and that can mean trouble.

A recent international comparison found Australia had a rate of injuries in road traffic accidents below the OECD average. However, hundreds of Australians still die in traffic crashes each year, with holiday periods deemed particularly dangerous.

State and territory police have already launched their summer road safety campaigns, targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction, fatigue and not wearing seatbelts. One death is too many — especially if it’s yours, someone you know, or a death you have caused.

And, yet, it is not only car crashes that people get themselves into. Christmas Day inevitably brings an increase in emergency department visits from children (and adults) trying their new toys — ­including low-speed crashes with bikes and skateboards.

Alcohol-fuelled get-togethers bring unusual accidents and, regrettably, some violence. And there are always horror stories, however rare, about people injuring themselves on holiday adventures. Make sure you’re not a danger to yourself or to others, and make this summer memorable for all the right reasons.