Australia is in the midst of what the Royal Life Saving Society describes as the deadliest week for drownings. 

It comes after a three-year-old boy drowned after wandering off from a waterfront property at Lake Macquarie on Christmas evening.

Royal Life Saving warns a lack of swimming skills is a factor in summer drownings.

Around one quarter of surveyed Australians consider themselves weak or non-swimmers.

Chief Executive Justin Scarr told John Stanley many people grew up without access to swimming lessons.

“This is the time of year when those poor swimming skills can get people into significant trouble.

“There are many people who grew up in country Australia, where there weren’t swimming pools, … there are people who’ve gone overseas and simply never had access to swimming lessons.

“Christmas, New Year … when you add alcohol to that and possibly drugs, it’s a recipe for disaster.”

Press PLAY below to hear Justin Scarr’s advice for staying safe in the water this summer 

Image: Getty