Drinking

For some tips on drinking see the Think B4 You Drink page.

Sun safety

While it might be fun in the sun, it is important to protect yourself from harm. Visit the Sun Safety page for tips on how to be sun safe and keep yourself skin cancer free.

Spinal injury

Leave the Whitsundays the way you came. Spinal injury is a serious consequence of drinking, driving, and other unsafe activiites. To keep yourself safe during Schoolies, take note of the following:

• DRIVING - Use your seatbelt or be seated for life.
• DIVING - Check the depth before you dive.
• DRINKING - If you're old enough to drink, you're old enough to know that drinking seriously affects your judgment. Make a pact with your friends to look out for each other's safety.

Remember, 100 Queenslanders incur a spinal injury each year and most are teens and young adults.

Things to consider when celebrating Schoolies

• Plan with your friends before you leave. Work out how you will share costs and how you can look out for one another, and return home safely. Remember there is safety in numbers. Don't expect that you can 'crash' with friends and remember that sleeping on the beach is not as cool as it sounds.
• Before you go out, have a plan for getting home.
• Know where you are staying and how to get there.
• Tell someone where you are going.
• Always keep enough money for a phone call, taxi or some other form of public transport.
• Don't accept a lift from someone you don't know or stay at a stranger's place.
• Don't get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using other drugs.
• Don't walk home at night alone.
• Don't swim at night and don't swim at all if you are intoxicated or using drugs.
• Wear stinger suits when swimming.
• The Anti-Discrimination Commission can be contacted if you think you have been treated unfairly because of your age, sex, sexuality, disability, race or religion. Contact 1300 130 670.
• Police are there to help you. If you are involved with the police, remain calm and listen carefully to instructions. If you get into trouble with the police, seek legal advice as soon as possible.
• Identification is a must. It will protect you if you get lost and ensure you get back into your accommodation.
• Volunteers will be clearly identifiable and are there to assist you in a number of ways. Look out for them if you require assistance. In an emergency dial triple zero (000).
• Medication can be the last thing you remember, and the first thing you need. Bring along your medication, especially if you are an asthmatic, diabetic or an epileptic.
• If you feel that you are in a situation where sexual behaviour is unwanted, forced or coerced, it is NOT okay. Contact the Sexual Assault Helpline 24 hours on 1800 010 120.

General safety contacts

• In emergencies: triple zero (000) from landlines or mobiles.
• Anti-Discrimination Commission: 1300 130 670.
• Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120.
  
  

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