Makino Aquatic Centre Turns Blue for Drowning Prevention Awareness

While many associate drowning with inexperience or young children, the reality is different. In New Zealand, dozens of people drown every year. Many of them strong, confident swimmers. Cold water shock, panic, and fatigue are common culprits.

To help reverse that trend, the Makino team is promoting the “Float First” technique, a simple but powerful method for surviving an unexpected fall into water.

“People often instinctively try to swim or thrash about when they fall in,” says Aimee Flanders, Aquatic Services Manager. “But the safest thing to do is pause, lie back, float, and breathe. That gives your body time to recover and your brain time to think.”

What Is “Float First”?

The technique encourages anyone who falls into water to:

• Lie back with ears in the water and chin tilted up
• Gently move the hands to maintain buoyancy
• Avoid immediate swimming
• Focus on breathing slowly
• Signal for help and swim only if safe

Even fit swimmers can become overwhelmed by the shock of cold water. Floating for just 60 to 90 seconds can regulate breathing, conserve energy, and reduce panic.

A Community Call

To mark the day, the Makino Aquatic Centre is inviting the public to take part:

• Staff and visitors are asked to wear blue
• Swim School and AquaFit classes will include Float First practice

The Centre is urging everyone — children, adults, and whānau to talk about what they would do if they fell into water unexpectedly.

“It only takes a moment for something to go wrong,” said Catherine Todd, Aquatics Activity Leader. “Knowing how to float could save your life or someone else’s.”

For more information or to take part in the campaign, visit the Makino Aquatic Centre this Friday. And don’t forget to wear blue.

Learn it. Share it. Save a life.