Knowing your limits, being prepared, limiting risky behaviour - and bringing a flotation device are simple things everyone can do to prevent tragedy at the ACT's swimming spots this summer period, Royal Life Saving ACT says.
The not-for-profit's general manager, Cherry Bailey, said it was better to think proactively than reactively when it came to spending time in the water.
"Taking buoyant aids and having those available is a plus and can't do any harm," Ms Bailey said.
"I think it's important to stipulate that a lot of the inflatable devices are specifically advised to not be used in life-saving or life-threatening situations for the pure and simple fact that they may not hold up under that type of vigorous use.
"If you've got an inflatable lounge or something like that ... something's better than nothing. But I don't want to be the one encouraging people to take inflatables to the river, because they can pose as much danger as good in a situation like that."
Ms Bailey said people underestimated how difficult it was to support another person in the water.
"If you haven't undertaken particular training to learn how to do that safely for yourself, and for the other person, then it can be extremely dangerous," she said.
"If someone was to jump in and respond - there was a need for someone to enter the water and respond in an emergency - then the number one key message would be absolutely to take a flotation device."
Ms Bailey said it was better to make sure swimmers were familiar with the area and the water they were swimming in first.
"What we'd like to avoid is encouraging people to perform rescues if they don't have the ability to complete that rescue successfully. Because as we've seen across the ACT, in our drowning data, there have been a number of incidents where that particular activity and response has resulted in tragedy," she said.
"You don't want to be pointing the finger saying they did the wrong thing. Because when it comes to a parent standing by watching and watching their child, or a member of their family, struggle, it's impractical to suggest that they should stand there and do nothing.
"It's not always the most logical message for people to think about in those moments of crises."
Ms Bailey said it can be extremely dangerous to attempt a rescue without the proper training.
"If someone was to jump in and respond - there was a need for someone to enter the water and respond in an emergency - then the number one key message would be absolutely to take a flotation device. Whatever's available," she said.
Ms Bailey said Royal Life Saving was focused on reducing risky behaviour, often driven by alcohol consumption in and around the water, among young adult men, who were over represented in drowning statistics.
"Right across the country, not just the ACT, it's around the 80 per cent to 20 per cent mark in favour of males. There's a real need to drive this message home for adult males," she said.
Royal Life Saving ACT last year proposed to the ACT government installing river rescue hubs with life vests, voice instructions and emergency communication links to provide immediate assistance to swimmers in unpatrolled inland waterways.
The not-for-profit has applied for a $250,000 grant to trial the technology, after determining patrolling the waterways - among the country's deadliest - would not be feasible.
Australia's inland waterways, such as lakes, rivers, streams and dams, account for around 21 per cent of drowning deaths every year.
