New Zealand is one of the most water-connected countries in the world. We live near it, work near it, and spend our weekends in it. It's part of who we are as Kiwis.
It also claims too many lives every year. In 2025 alone, 78 New Zealanders drowned in preventable incidents. Drowning remains New Zealand's leading recreational killer, and the vast majority of those deaths had one thing in common: they were avoidable.
Water Safety New Zealand's Five Ways to Survive is New Zealand's national water safety code: a simple, practical framework designed to keep people safe in, on, and around the water. It's not complicated. It doesn't require special training. It just requires knowing what to do before things go wrong.
Here's what the code covers and how to put it into practice.
1. Know How to Float
Floating is the single most important survival skill you can have in the water. If you get into trouble, your first instinct might be to swim hard for shore or fight to keep your head up. In most situations, that's the wrong move. Panic burns energy fast, and cold water makes it worse.
Floating on your back with your ears in the water conserves energy, keeps your airway clear, and buys you time for help to arrive. It works whether you're a strong swimmer or not, and it works in open water, surf, and rivers.
The challenge is that it takes practice. If you've never deliberately tried to float on your back, do it the next time you're in a pool or calm water. It feels strange at first. Practice it until it's a reflex.
Water Safety NZ's data shows that around 20% of New Zealanders don't know how to float, or don't think they can. That's a significant number of people heading into the water without one of the most fundamental survival tools available to them.
2. Find the Safest Place
Before you get in the water, take a moment to actually look at it. Assess the conditions. Check for currents, rips, submerged rocks, or anything that could cause problems. Think about where you'd get out if you needed to in a hurry.
For beach swimming, the safest place is always between the flags at a patrolled beach, where surf lifeguards can respond quickly if something goes wrong. Outside of flagged areas, conditions can change fast and help is much further away.
For rivers, be aware that water levels and current strength can shift dramatically after rainfall, even if the weather where you are looks fine. What looks like a calm river crossing can become dangerous quickly.
For boating, kayaking, or paddleboarding, check the forecast before you leave. Look up MetService's marine weather forecast and understand what the conditions will be out on the water, not just on land.
3. If in Doubt, Stay Out
This one sounds simple but often gets ignored. You've made plans, everyone's keen, and turning back feels like an overreaction.
Water Safety NZ is direct about this: if you're unsure about your skill level, the weather conditions, or what the water is doing, wait for another day. Things can change quickly on the water, and once you're in trouble there may not be time to reassess.
This step applies to everyone, experienced swimmers and beginners alike. Knowing your limits isn't weakness. It's the kind of judgement that keeps people alive.
4. Take Care of Yourself and Others
Never swim or head out on the water alone. Always tell someone your plans: where you're going, what you're doing, and when you expect to be back. If something goes wrong, someone needs to know where to look.
When it comes to children, a responsible adult should be within arm's reach and actively watching whenever kids are in or near the water. Not nearby. Not glancing over occasionally. Within arm's reach, and watching. Children can get into difficulty in seconds and silently. It rarely looks like the dramatic scenes you'd expect.
This step also covers wearing the right personal flotation device for your activity. A lifejacket on a boat, a buoyancy aid for kayaking or SUP, and the right fit for every person on board, including children. More on this below.
5. Know How to Get Help
If you get into trouble, raise one arm and call out for help. That's the universal signal that you need assistance. Don't try to wave both arms. You'll go under. One arm up, and keep floating.
If you see someone else in trouble, don't enter the water to help them unless you're a trained water rescuer. More people drown trying to save others than you might expect. Instead, call 111 and ask for Police immediately. Throw them something that floats if you can: a life ring, a chilly bin, anything.
It's worth knowing that Coastguard's emergency channel is VHF Radio Channel 16, with the call sign "Mayday." If you're on a vessel, make sure you know how to use it. See: https://www.coastguard.nz/boating-essentials/safety-on-the-water/safety-articles/what-to-do-in-an-emergency
A Note on Life Jackets: Not All PFDs Are Equal
Step four mentions wearing the right PFD for your activity, and this is worth expanding on because it's a point where a lot of people get caught out.
"Life jacket" is a term that gets used loosely to mean anything that helps you float. In reality, there are meaningful differences between PFD types, and choosing the wrong one for the conditions can give a false sense of security.
For boating on inshore waters (harbours, lakes, protected coastal areas), a Type 402 collared life jacket with 71N or more buoyancy is the right choice. It provides significant flotation and has more buoyancy in the front to help keep you face-up. The Crewsaver Spiral 100N and RFD Sirocco Type 402 in our life jackets range are both solid options here.
For open ocean or offshore boating, you need a Type 401 with 150N buoyancy. These are typically inflatable and designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in rough water. This is the standard for any serious offshore use.
For water sports like kayaking, SUP, or sailing in calm conditions, a buoyancy aid (Type 403) with 50-60N is appropriate. These are designed for active, competent swimmers who need freedom of movement. The Yak range in our water safety collection is built specifically for this kind of use. Browse the full Yak range for options suited to paddle sports and active water activities.
Inflatables are not recommended for kayaks, dinghies, dragonboats, or jetskis. If you're likely to be in the water regularly, an inflatable that requires activation isn't practical. Foam-based options are the better choice.
For children, foam life jackets are always recommended over inflatables. Fit is critical: the jacket should be snug, with no more than two finger-widths between the shoulders and the jacket. Always check that children's jackets include a crotch strap, which prevents the jacket riding up around the neck in the water.
If you're unsure which PFD is right for your situation, our guide to life jackets vs buoyancy aids covers the key differences in detail.
Critically: wear it. According to Water Safety New Zealand, 90% of craft-related drowning deaths in 2024 involved people who were not wearing a life jacket. Having one on board isn't enough. By the time you know you need it, it's often too late to put it on.
Sharing the Code With Your Kids
The Five Ways to Survive isn't just for adults. Teaching children the code early, and making it a normal part of how your family talks about water, is one of the most effective things you can do for their long-term safety.
Keep the conversations practical and positive rather than fear-based. Practice floating together in a pool. Talk about what the flags at the beach mean. Make a habit of checking conditions before any water activity. Children who grow up with this knowledge make better decisions as teenagers and adults.
Water Safety NZ offers free multilingual Water Safety Code resources you can download and share, including posters, social tiles, and more, if you want to keep the reminders visible at home or in your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Five Ways to Survive in New Zealand?
New Zealand's Five Ways to Survive are: Know how to float, Find the safest place, If in doubt stay out, Take care of yourself and others, and Know how to get help. They form the basis of the NZ Water Safety Code, developed by Water Safety New Zealand.
What should I do if I get into trouble in the water?
Float on your back with your ears in the water, raise one arm, and call out for help. Conserve your energy rather than trying to swim hard. If you're near other people, the universal distress signal is one arm raised.
Do I need to wear a life jacket by law in New Zealand?
As of May 2026, requirements vary depending on where you are and what type of vessel you're on. All recreational boats must carry enough life jackets for everyone on board. Regional bylaws in many parts of NZ require life jackets to be worn on vessels 6 metres and under. Maritime NZ sets the national standards. Check your local regional council bylaws for specific requirements in your area.
What is the difference between a life jacket and a buoyancy aid?
A life jacket is designed to keep you afloat and face-up even if you're unconscious, with higher buoyancy (71N and above). A buoyancy aid provides less buoyancy (typically 50-60N) and is designed for active, competent swimmers in controlled conditions like kayaking or SUP. Choosing the right one depends on your activity and environment. Read our full guide: Life Jackets vs Buoyancy Aids.
What Newton rating do I need for my life jacket?
It depends on the activity. 50-60N suits calm-water paddle sports for competent swimmers. 71N+ is recommended for inshore recreational boating. 150N is required for offshore or open ocean use. The conditions, your swimming ability, and how far you are from help should all factor into your decision.
How do I teach my kids the water safety code?
Practice floating together in a pool so it becomes natural. Talk about flags and conditions at the beach before you get in. Make water safety part of the conversation whenever you're heading out near water rather than a one-off lesson. Water Safety NZ has free downloadable resources to help keep the messages visible at home.
What should I do if I see someone drowning?
Do not enter the water to help unless you are a trained water rescuer. Call 111 immediately and ask for Police. Throw something buoyant to the person if you can: a life ring, a rope, or anything that floats. Keep them talking and in sight while waiting for help.
At Swim Safe, water safety isn't just a product category. It's the reason we exist. Browse our full range of life jackets and PFDs, water rescue equipment, and Yak buoyancy aids to make sure you and your whānau are covered for every water activity.