Barwon Coast Committee and Parks Victoria have again teamed up to warn beach goers against the dangers of jetty jumping.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the Barwon Coast Committee of Management issued a strong warning urging people to consider the impact that encouraging someone to jump may have on the rest of their life.<\/p>\n
Water depths change regularly and unexpected hazards from sand movement and debris make the act of diving into open water “extremely dangerous”.<\/p>\n
With more beach days on the horizon, Committee CEO Gary McPike is encouraging anyone thinking about jumping to think again.<\/p>\n
“Barwon Coast has a responsibility to manage the risks and threats to members of the public that use the Crown land we look after.<\/p>\n
“Jumping and diving from jetties is known to potentially cause serious injuries like in the case of Paralympian Nazim Erdem,” he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Erdem was only 20 years old when he took a life-changing dive into shallow water.<\/p>\n
A jump off his local pier resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury leaving him a quadriplegic for life.<\/p>\n
“It was just a bit of fun with my mates but it’s changed my life forever.<\/p>\n
“You’re aware that there are risks in life but I never thought jumping off a pier would result in an injury like this,” he said.<\/p>\n
Parks Victoria manage 70 per cent of Victoria’s coastline, including 211 piers and jetties where jumping or diving is prohibited.<\/p>\n
“We are focused on protecting the safety of our visitors and staff,” a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
“Water depths, sand bars, submerges debris and rubbish around piers change on a daily basis, making water conditions unpredictable.<\/p>\n
It is believed that each year in Victoria there are more than 200 new cases of traumatic spinal cord injuries among those aged 15 and over.<\/p>\n
Of these cases, around 7 per cent are caused by water-related accidents including diving into shallow water and being dumped by a wave.<\/p>\n
“If you are keen to swim at the beach this summer, make sure you find a safe place to enter the water, follow all safety signage and never jump from piers or jetties,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Barwon Coast Committee and Parks Victoria have again teamed up to warn beach goers against the dangers of jetty jumping. Earlier this month, the Barwon Coast Committee of Management issued a strong warning urging people to consider the impact that encouraging someone to jump may have on the rest of their life. Water depths change […]<\/p>\n