Most drowning deaths happen in inland rivers, and not at coastal beaches.
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More than 80 per cent of those who drown are male.
Figures published today by Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia show276 people drowned across Australia from July 2018 to June 2019, representing a 10 per cent rise increase on the previous year.
Of these, 123 deaths (45 per cent) occurred over the summer period, which is a 17 per cent increase compared with the 10-year average.
Overall, 101 drowning deaths occurred in inland waterways and 31 in swimming pools.
There were 122 coastal drowning deaths, which includes 71 on beaches, 22 at rock/cliff locations and 18 offshore.
Over 80 per cent of total drowning deaths were male.
The National Drowning Report identified six drowning deaths occurred across the Northern Territory in 2018/19, 67 per cent of which were males and a third were people aged over 55 years.
Royal Life Saving Northern Territory CEO Floss Roberts said "Royal Life Saving is urging Territorians to keep watch of their children around water, avoid alcohol while boating and fishing, and ensure they have the swimming and water safety skills to enjoy NT's beautiful waterways safely".
The SLSA National Coastal Safety Report 2019 identified one coastal death occurred in Northern Territory in 2018-19, below the 15 year average of 3.
Half of the Territory drowning deaths occurred during the wet season.
Surf Life Saving Northern Territory CEO Samantha Farrow said "Surf Life Saving NT encourages everyone to recreate safely and swim between the flags where possible, check the conditions and don't take risks".
To stay safe around water, Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving Australia urge all Australians to:
- Supervise children at all times around water
- Learn swimming and lifesaving skills
- Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling
- Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
- Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
- Rivers accounted for 29% of all drowning deaths, more than any other location
- Swimming and recreating was the most common activity being undertaken at the time of drowning, followed by a fall into water and boating
- 63% of drowning deaths of children aged 0 to 4 years occurred in swimming pools
- 45 people aged 15 to 24 years drowned, which represents a 61% increase on the previous year. 15% of people who drowned were aged 45 to 54 years, the most of any age group
- 60 people aged over 65 years drowned, which represents an 18% increase compared with the previous year. Pre-existing medical conditions were found to be a risk factor in 40% of these deaths
- There was a 39% increase in multiple fatality events, that is where multiple people drowned in one incident, compared with the 10-year average
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
