Alcohol

Alcohol And Water Don't Mix

Forget the myth that drowning people come up three times before 'going down for good'. Non-swimmers typically claw at the water for as little as 15 seconds. Then they go down for good - often without a cry for help as they are desperately gasping for breath. It takes even less time for a swimmer to drown if alcohol is involved.

Each year, nearly 20 people drown while under the influence of alcohol. When you drink and participate in water recreation you increase the risk of drowning.

ALCOHOL + HOT WEATHER + COLD WATER = DEATH BY DROWNING

Alcohol dramatically reduces your chances of survival by:

• Making it harder to stay afloat due to lower concentrations of blood going to the brain and muscles
  Contributing to heat and fluid loss
• Sharply reducing the ability to hold your breath
• Suppressing airway protection reflexes
• Making it easier to inhale water

Nearly all of the methods used to revive submersion victims are effective only for those without alcohol in the bloodstream. Even 'last ditch' drugs used by physicians do not work well.

It's simple, don't go swimming when you've been drinking - whether at the beach or in your home pool. Avoid drinking alcohol at pools, the beach, while boating or even drinking before or while taking a hot bath.

Water activities and drinking is as lethal a mix as drinking and driving. Alcohol affects your central nervous system impairing your coordination, judgement and ability to make decisions. Just like the decisions you make behind the wheel of a car, the decisions you make on the water affect your own, as well as other people's lives.

Alcohol makes it easier to become disorientated and fatally confused. Alcohol will suppress inhibitions, cause dizziness and tunnel vision. Alcohol impaired swimmers and boaters often make wrong decisions, attempt tasks beyond their abilities and when things go wrong, make decisions that do not contribute to their or anybody else's survival.

For more information on alcohol use visit Alcohol Liquor Advisory Council's website

Resources are available from Water Safety New Zealand Inc