Timeless | The cruel sea 2010

Australians have been urged to stop underestimating the dangers of water, as The Royal Life Saving Society Australia’s annual report revealed nearly 1000 people drowned or were hospitalised from near-drownings last year.

In 2010, 60 Minutes shared the Sherry family's heartbreaking story. Trying to save their young children from a rip, Carol and Joe both drowned within minutes. Rips are the unseen killers on our beaches, but as Karl Stefanovic reports, there is a science to surviving them.

To watch more Timeless 60 Minutes stories, please click here.