By Steph Kent - [email protected]
Australia is full of hidden dangers that prove fatal to Chinese visitors. Thousands of Chinese move to Australia yearly searching for new beginnings but there is a world of difference between the two cultures and the hazards locals face daily without a second thought.
One of the leading threats to tourists is our deceivingly beautiful beaches.
Stacey Ferreira, Community Awareness Coordinator on the Gold Coast for Surf Life Saving Queensland says Chinese visitors can fall victim to the beautiful surf as they are not educated on beach safety.
"Our beaches are dangerous not just to internationals but to everyone. Many people do not have basic water skills and due to the beautiful country that we live in, many people swim in the incorrect areas and don't know what to do if they require help," she said.
"In Australia we identify the safest part of the beach with a red and yellow flag and we ask that everyone goes swimming between those flags, but in many of the Asian countries because they are so populated they use flags to mark a private party or function on their beaches. That is where the confusion comes in. They see the flags and think that it is a private party or function, so they decided to go swimming outside them and then they get into trouble."
"Rips are the biggest danger on the Gold Coast for our Chinese visitors. They are very fast moving and can appear even faster. These are the biggest issue with drowning and rescues on our Gold Coast beaches."
The Royal Life Saving 'Drowning Report' discovered that in 2012, 21% of people who drowned where tourists or visitors to the area.
It also identified Queensland as the state with the second most amount drownings.
One of the leading threats to tourists is our deceivingly beautiful beaches.
Stacey Ferreira, Community Awareness Coordinator on the Gold Coast for Surf Life Saving Queensland says Chinese visitors can fall victim to the beautiful surf as they are not educated on beach safety.
"Our beaches are dangerous not just to internationals but to everyone. Many people do not have basic water skills and due to the beautiful country that we live in, many people swim in the incorrect areas and don't know what to do if they require help," she said.
"In Australia we identify the safest part of the beach with a red and yellow flag and we ask that everyone goes swimming between those flags, but in many of the Asian countries because they are so populated they use flags to mark a private party or function on their beaches. That is where the confusion comes in. They see the flags and think that it is a private party or function, so they decided to go swimming outside them and then they get into trouble."
"Rips are the biggest danger on the Gold Coast for our Chinese visitors. They are very fast moving and can appear even faster. These are the biggest issue with drowning and rescues on our Gold Coast beaches."
The Royal Life Saving 'Drowning Report' discovered that in 2012, 21% of people who drowned where tourists or visitors to the area.
It also identified Queensland as the state with the second most amount drownings.
The report also stated that people engaging with unfamiliar aquatic locations should, where possible, check conditions with residents local to the area before entering the water. Ongoing tourist education about basic water safety messages including being aware of skill level and always swimming at patrolled beaches between the flags must be conducted.
The biggest risk comes from our beaches because the threat is not visible.
"We want to go to our beaches and enjoy the beautiful waters and sun. I do not think that our international tourists see our beaches as a danger," Miss Ferreira said.
The biggest risk comes from our beaches because the threat is not visible.
"We want to go to our beaches and enjoy the beautiful waters and sun. I do not think that our international tourists see our beaches as a danger," Miss Ferreira said.
Julia talks about living on the Gold Coast after leaving China.
Monique Mackey gives us her opinion on safety.
Have your say here! What do you think the most dangerous aspect on the Gold Coast is any why? Comment your answers below.
RSS Feed