royal life saving national drowning report 2013

7/27/2019 Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2013

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NatioNal DrowNiNgreport 2013

royal life SaviNg Society auStralia

291people drowned in

AustrAliAn wAterwAys


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2013 snApshot of findings

overa

291peopledrownedinAustraliabetween1July2012and30June2013

Thisisanincreaseof15drowningdeaths(or5%)ontheadjustedtotalof276drowningdeathsin2011/12

Thisisareductionof6drowningdeaths(or2%)onthe

10yearaverageof297drowningdeaths

sex a Ae

82%ofalldrowningdeathsweremale(238drowningdeaths)

18%ofalldrowningdeathswerefemale(53drowningdeaths)

31(11%)drowningdeathsoccurredinchildrenaged0-4years

9(3%)drowningdeathsoccurredinchildrenaged5-14years

26(9%)drowningdeathsoccurredinyoungpeopleaged15to24years

114(39%)drowningdeathsoccurredinpeopleaged

55yearsandover

sae a terrry

104(36%)drowningdeathsoccurredinNewSouthWales

64(22%)drowningdeathsoccurredinQueensland

46(16%)drowningdeathsoccurredinWesternAustralia

lca a Acvy

99(34%)drowningdeathsoccurredinInlandWaterwaylocations

65(22%)drowningdeathsoccurredatBeachlocations

45(16%)drowningdeathsoccurredinOcean/Harbourlocations

58people(20%)wereusingWatercraftimmediatelypriortodrowning

52people(18%)drownedasaresultofFallsintowater

48people(16%)wereSwimmingandRecreatingimmediatelypriortodrowning

NatioNalDrowNiNgreport 2013

238 53291 dnd

n ausn ys

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3/20

drowning deAths in 2012/13

t 291 a

Aaa aa b 1 J

2012 a 30 J 2013. t mb

Aaa

a ca a a mb a

c 2009/10.

This gure o 291 drowning deaths is anincrease o 15 drowning deaths (or 5%) onthe adjusted total o 276 in 2011/12. This ishowever, a reduction o 6 drowning deaths(or 2%) on the 10 year (2002/03 to 2011/12)average o 297 drowning deaths.

The crude drowning rate in 2012/13 is 1.27per 100,000 people, compared to the 10 yearaverage o 1.40 per 100,000 people (Figure 1).

t v m: faa Aaa

f 1: Unintentional Drowning Deaths and Death Rates,Australia 2002/03 to 2012/13, 10 Year Average

1.66

1.481.39

1.52

1.36 1.351.45 1.41

1.26 1.221.27

1.40

328 295281

310

283 287

314310

282

276

291297

0.00

0.50

1.00

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2.50

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100

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250

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350

02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 10 Year Average

Number of Deaths/100,000 Populaton Number of D eaths / Y ear

CAse study:

asn w S S 2012-15:

ta a a m The Australian Water Saety Strategy 2012-15 (AWSS 2012-15) continues to align the industry towards achieving a 50%reduction in drowning by the year 2020 by ocusing eorts on key priority areas. The progress in 2013 against the goalareas o the AWSS 2012-15 are reported below:

AWSS 2012-15Goal Areas

Drowning Deathsin 2012/13

AWSS 2012-15Target by 2020

Progress

1. Reduce drowning deathsin children aged 0-14 years

Children 0-4 years 31 17 O High Concern

Children 5-14 years 9 8 On Track

2. Reduce drowning deathsin young people aged 15-24

26 18 O Some Concern

3. Reduce drowning deathsin people aged 55+

114 51 O High Concern

4. Reduce drowning deathsin inland waterways


5. Reduce sur beachdrowning deaths


Please note: A drowning death could be included in more than one goal area in the table above.

f 2: Progress o AWSS 2012-15 Goals and Target Reductions

t Aaa wa sa sa 2012-15 (Awss 2012-15) ca b a m .s.m.

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4/20

O the 291 drowning deaths that occurred in Australian waterwaysin 2012/13, 238 (82%) were male and 53 (18%) were emale. Theproportion o men drowning has stayed consistently high overthe last 10 years with men accounting or 77% o all drowningdeaths in Australian waterways across the last 10 years (2002/03

to 2011/12). The State with the largest population continues tohave the highest number o drowning deaths with 104 drowningdeaths (36%) in New South Wales. This was ollowed by 64 deathsin Queensland (22%) and 46 deaths in Western Australia (16%).When calculated as rates per 100,000 population, the NorthernTerritory has the highest rate o drowning in Australia at 3.80ollowed by Western Australia (1.86) (Figure 3).

The average age o those who drowned was 43.2 years, with emaleson average being slightly younger than males (42.8 years or emalescompared to 43.3 years or males). The 55-64 years age group hadthe highest number o drowning deaths with 48, ollowed by 25-34(44 deaths) and 35-44 years age groups (39 deaths).

Drowning deaths in the 18-24 and 45-54 years age group showpleasing reductions against the 10 year average but there areconcerning increases against the 10 year average in the older agegroups o 54-64 and 65-74 years (Figure 4).

t n t a a Aaa 100,000 a

f 3: d da b sx a sa / t,d da ra, 2012/13

sa ca 10 a ava a 55-74

f 4: d da b A g, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

3

81

9

54

13 8

32 381

23

10

1 1

98

1.051.42

3.80

1.39 0.84

1.760.72

1.86

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA

Male Female Number of Deaths / 100,000 populaton

33

96 7

30

44

3942

36

26 25

31

4 5 3

23

44

39

28

49

38

27

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0-4Years

5-9Years

10-14Years

15-17Years

18-24Years

25-34Years

35-44Years

45-54Years

55-64Years

65-74Years

75+Years

10 Year Average 2012/13

who drowns?CAse study:Mn ad 25-34 s

This year saw the second highest numbero drowning deaths occur in the 25-34 years age group. As 89% o thesedrowning deaths were males, a closeranalysis o the circumstances o drowning

in males in this age group is warranted.

A ocused analysis o the drowningdeaths o men aged 25-34 years in2012/13 shows:

36% o all drowning deaths o menaged 25-34 took place in New SouthWales. A urther 26% in Queensland

Inland waterways accounted or41% o all drowning deaths. Beachesaccounted or a urther 23% o deaths

Accidents involving watercrataccounted or 28% o all drowning

deaths o men in this age group.Swimming accounted or 18% andRock Fishing a urther 13%

Over hal (56%) o those who drownedresided within 100kms o wherethey drowned. A urther 18% wereIntrastate visitors

36% o all drowning deaths o menin this age group took place in areasdeemed Outer Regional, Remote andVery Remote

Males are overrepresented in drowning

statistics and can be dicult to reachwith traditional water saety anddrowning prevention messages.

Drowning prevention strategies ormen, including those aged 25-34 shouldaddress the use o watercrat. Specicallyhighlighted should be the risks ocombining alcohol and watercrat andthe importance o wearing liejacketswhen on the water, particularly whenrecreating in inland waterways.

39drowning deAthsof Men Aged 25-34

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CAse study:Dnn ds n amn

This year, we saw a large number odrowning deaths take place in theAutumn months (March, April, May). Inact Autumn was the season with thesecond highest number o drowning

deaths ater Summer. In many o thesouthern States the weather begins tocool during these months. With sucha high proportion o drowning deathsoccurring during Autumn, discreteanalysis was conducted to determine aprole o Autumn drowning deaths.

Analysis o the drowning deaths duringthe Autumn months ound:

Almost one quarter (24%) o alldrowning deaths took place in theAutumn months

O the people who drowned inAutumn, 79% were male

21% o all drowning deaths in Autumnoccurred in the 55-64 years age groupand a urther 20% occurred in the 25-34 years age group

37% o all drowning deaths in Autumntook place in NSW, ollowed by Victoria(23%) and Queensland (20%)

33% o all Autumn drowning deathstook place in inland waterways. Thiswas ollowed by 24% o drowningdeaths in Autumn occurred at the

Beach and 21% at Ocean / Harbourlocations

Accidents involving watercrataccounted or 17% o all drowningdeaths during Autumn. This wasollowed by Falls into water (14%),Diving (13%) and Swimming andRecreating (13%)

40% o all Autumn drowning deathstook place in areas deemed MajorCities, ollowed by 26% in InnerRegional Areas

Although water saety may be ronto mind during the warmer Summermonths, water saety should be ayear round concern. As temperaturesstart to lower in southern Statespeople continue to engage in aquaticactivities. People must ensure that saebehaviours are still being undertakenin the cooler months when interactingwith water. These include taking carewhen recreating in, on or aroundinland waterways, such as being awareo changeable conditions, submergedobjects, murky water, steep edges and

cold water. I recreating at the beach,people must always swim between thefags and ensure liejackets are wornwhen using watercrat.

Drowning deaths in Australia occur throughout the year, howeverthe largest number occurred in Summer (101 deaths), ollowedby Autumn (70) and Spring (64). The lowest number o drowningdeaths occurred in Winter with 56 drowning deaths (Figure 5).

February was the month with the highest number o drowningdeaths (37). August and October were the months that recordedthe lowest number o drowning deaths with 15 each (Figure 6).

d a a a

f 6: d da b M ic, 2012/13

Summer 35%

Autumn 24%

Winter 19%

Spring 22%

19

15

25

15

24

32 32

37

32

2122

17

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

when do these drowning deAths oCCur?

f 5: d da b sa, 2012/13

d a cc a Aaa

5


6/20

Rivers, Creeks and Streams were the category o aquaticlocation that saw the highest number o drowningdeaths, with 67 (23%) in 2012/13, ollowed by Beaches(22%) and Ocean / Harbour locations (16%) (Figure 7).There were 5 drowning deaths where the location o

the incident was coded as Other. Locations within theOther category include sh ponds and storm waterdrains among others.

where And how do these drowning deAths oCCur?

rv, c a am ca mb a

f 7: d da b lca, 2012/13

A v a acv b a Aaa

f 8: d da b Acvimma p d, 2012/13

11

65

32

45

67

23

43

5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Bathing 4%

Diving8%

Falls 18%

Fishing 3%

Jumped In 3%

Non-aquatcTransport 7%

Rescue 2%Rock Fishing 5%

Swept In

1%

Swimming &Recreatng

16%

Watercraf 20%

Unknown12%

One th o all drowning deaths in the 2012/13 nancialyear occurred as a result o watercrat accidents (58drowning deaths). Falls into water and Swimming andRecreating were the also commonly conducted activitiesimmediately prior to drowning, accounting or 52 and 48

drowning deaths respectively. Activity immediately priorto drowning was unknown in 12% o cases (34 deaths)indicating there continue to be people who undertakeaquatic activities alone where activity prior to drowningwas not witnessed (Figure 8).

CAse study:

w d dnn dsOne th o all drowning deaths in the 2012/13 nancial year were a result o accidents involving watercrat. As theleading cause o drowning deaths in this years report, a detailed analysis o the prole o watercrat related drowningdeaths identied the ollowing:

88% o all drowning victims involved in watercrat accidents were male

45% o all drowning deaths occurred in the 25-34 (12 deaths) and 55-64 (14 deaths) years age groups

NSW experienced the largest proportion o watercrat drowning deaths accounting or 45%

Ocean / Harbour locations experienced 45% o all watercrat drowning deaths. Inland waterways accounted or 34%

Drowning deaths as a result o shing rom watercrat accounted or 26% o all drowning deaths, 14% occurred as aresult o a all rom watercrat

12% o watercrat drowning deaths were a result o a capsize and 9% occurred whilst surng or boogie boarding

64% o all watercrat involved in drowning deaths were powered watercrat. Where the length o powered watercratwas known, the majority were less than 5 metres in length

33% involved unpowered watercrat including surboards, yachts, row boats and boogie boards

There were 6 multiple atality incidents involving watercrat in 2012/13. Five o these incidents resulted in double

atalities and one incident resulted in three atalities

Royal Lie Saving urges all people interacting with watercrat be it powered or unpowered, to do so saely. This includeswearing liejackets when on board watercrat and carrying an EPIRB. Watercrat users should avoid consuming alcoholbeore operating watercrat and rerain rom undertaking risky behaviours. Be sure to tell people where you are goingand when you are due back.

6


7/20

There were 99 (34%) drowning deaths in inlandwaterways (rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, dams andlagoons) in 2012/13. O these 67 drowning deathsoccurred in River / Creek / Stream locations and 32occurred in Lake / Dam / Lagoon locations.

The 2012/13 gure o 99 drowning deaths is a reductiono 5 drowning deaths (or 5%) on the 10 year average o104 drowning deaths (Figure 9). Men accounted or 84%o drowning deaths in inland waterways this year.

Signicant increases against the 10 year averagewere experienced this year in the older age groups o55+. Drowning deaths o people aged 55+ in inlandwaterways have increased by 48% to 46 compared to the10 year average o 31 drowning deaths (Figure 10).

Inland waterway drowning deaths have experienced a40% reduction in Victoria in 2012/13 compared to the

10 year average. Inland waterway drowning deathscontinue to increase against the 10 year average inNew South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and theAustralian Capital Territory (Figure 11).

Accidents involving watercrat were the leading causeo drowning deaths in inland waterways (accountingor 20%), ollowed by non-aquatic transport (19%) andalls into water (18%). Drowning deaths as a result oswimming and recreating in inland waterways havedecreased this year by 47% on the ten year average(Figure 12).

Inland waterways are one o the high risk locationsidentied in the Australian Water Saety Strategy2012-15. Key objectives associated with the aim o a50% reduction in drowning deaths in inland waterwaylocations include implementing and monitoring theNational Rural and Remote Water Saety Strategy,increasing access to inland waterway saety programsand addressing inrastructure issues and humanresources shortages in rural and remote areas toensure adequate coverage o instructors and saetyrisk management.

loCAtion in foCus: iNlaND waterwayS

d a a aa c v a 11 a

d a a aa ca ma a aa 10 a ava

f 10: ia waa d da b Ag, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

Vca a n t acv 40% c a aa a aa 10 a ava

f 11: ia waa d da b sa /t, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

d a a a , jm aaca ca aa 10 a ava

f 12: ia waa d da b Acvimma p, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

f 9: ia waa d da 2002/03 2012/13, 10 ya Ava

117

99 102

112

90 90

100 97

127

101 99104

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

6

43

4

11

15 14 1513

8

10

6

1 1

8

16

14

7

19

12

15

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1416

18

20

0-4Years

5-9Years

10-14Years

15-17Years

18-24Years

25-34Years

35-44Years

45-54Years

55-64Years

65-74Years

75+Years

Inland Waterways 10 Year Average Inland Waterways 2012/13

1

36

5

29

5 4

15

9

2

38

3

30

6

3

9 8

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40



1

23

3 4

17

2 2

17 16

1

18

1

18

8 8

19

1

9

20

15

0

5

10

15

20

25


7


8/20

There were 65 drowning deaths at Australian beaches in2012/13. This gure is an increase o 17 drowning deaths(or 35%) on the 10 year average o 48 drowning deaths(Figure 13). Men accounted or 88% o all drowningdeaths at beaches in the 2012/13 nancial year.

The largest increase in drowning deaths at beacheswas seen in the 55-64 years age group, with the 20drowning deaths o people aged 55-64 representing a186% increase in 2012/13 when compared to the 10 yearaverage o 7 drowning deaths. Increases against the 10year average were also recorded in the 18-24, 65-74 and75+ age groups (Figure 14).

Drowning deaths as a result o swimming and recreatingaccounted or the highest proportion o deaths atAustralian beaches with 38%. This was ollowed bydrowning deaths as a result o watercrat accidents(18%) and diving activities such as snorkelling (14%).

Activity immediately prior to drowning was unknown in18% o all drowning deaths at Beaches (Figure 15).

New South Wales was the State with the highestnumber o beach drowning deaths in 2012/13 with 24(37%), ollowed by Western Australia and Victoria.These latter States experienced signicant increases onthe 10 year average in 2012/13, with Western Australiaexperiencing a 133% increase and Victoria an 86%increase (Figure 16).

Beaches are another high risk location identied in theAustralian Water Saety Strategy 2012-15. Objectives

identied in the Strategy that it is hoped will contributeto achieving reduction in drowning deaths at Australianbeaches include: identiying non-patrolled beacheswith high drowning rates and implementing riskreduction strategies; develop and implement a nationalrip awareness program and develop and implementinterventions targeting high risk populations. Expansiono patrols through the use o improved technology andservices are also recommended.

loCAtion in foCus: BeacheS

Bac a ca 35%

10 a ava 2012/13

f 13: Bac d da 2002/03 2012/13,10 ya Ava

f 16: Bac d da b sa / t,10 ya Ava, 2012/13

186% ca bac a 55-64 a 2012/13 cma 10 a ava

f 14: Bac d da b A g,10 ya Ava, 2012/13

smm a rca a acv a bac 2012/13

f 15: Bac d da b Acv immap, 2012/13

n s wa, Vca a w Aaa

xc jm bac a

40

5046

5559

48 4749

35

51

65

48

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1 1 1

6

10

87 7

43

1 1 1

7

10

8

6

20

56

0

5

10

15

20

25

0-4Years

5-9Years

10-14Years

15-17Years

18-24Years

25-34Years

35-44Years

45-54Years

55-64Years

65-74Years

75+Years

Beaches 10 Year Average Beaches 2012/13

Diving 14%Fishing 2%

Jumped In 2%

Rescue 6%

Swept In 2%

Swimming &Recreatng 38%

Watercraf 18%

Unknown 18%

20

1

9

42

76

24

1

9

31

1314

0

5

10

15

20

25

30


Beaches 10 Year Average Beaches 2012/13

8


9/20

There were 45 drowning deaths in 2012/13 at Ocean /Harbour locations, the same number o deaths as wereexperienced in 2011/12. This is a reduction o 10 drowningdeaths (or 18%) on the 10 year average o 55 drowningdeaths (Figure 17). Males accounted or 91% o all

drowning deaths at Ocean / Harbour locations in 2012/13.

The largest number o drowning deaths at Ocean /Harbour locations occurred in the 65-74 years age groupwith 13 drowning deaths. This gure represents a 117%increase on the ten year average o 6 drowning deathsin this age group. There were no drowning deaths ochildren and adolescents under the age o 18 in Ocean /Harbour locations in 2012/13 (Figure 18).

Accidents involving watercrat accounted or over hal(58%) o all drowning deaths at Ocean / Harbour locationswith 26 drowning deaths. Drowning deaths as a resulto diving accidents (such as scuba diving, snorkelling and

ree diving) account or over one quarter (27%) o alldrowning deaths at these locations (Figure 19).

Ocean / Harbour drowning deaths in New South Walesand Victoria have increased against the 10 year average.In Victoria, the number o Ocean / Harbour drowningdeaths experienced in 2012/13 represents a 43% increaseon the 10 year average o 7 drowning deaths. TheNorthern Territory and the Australian Capital Territorydid not experience an Ocean / Harbour drowning deathin the period o this report (Figure 20).

Strategies aimed at reducing drowning deaths in Ocean

/ Harbour locations must target older Australians,particularly those in the 65-74 years age group. Althoughthere are a diverse range o activities being undertakenat Ocean / Harbour locations, interventions must promotesae behaviours whilst using watercrat, such as the useo lie jackets and EPIRBs. Those drowning at Ocean /Harbour locations are also overwhelmingly male andinterventions must nd innovative ways to target watersaety education and drowning prevention strategies tomales recreating in these aquatic environments.

loCAtion in foCus: oceaN / harBour

f 17: oca / hab d da, 2002/03 2012/13, 10 ya Ava

f 20: oca / hab d da b sa /t ic, 2012/13

oca / hab a c aa

10 a ava

65-74 a a ca aa10 a ava

f 18: oca / hab d da b Ag, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

Acc vv aca acc v a aoca / hab

f 19: oca / hab d da b Acvimma p, 2012/13

n s wa a Vca c ca aa

10 a ava 2012/13

77

43

5155 53

58

73

49

4245 45

55

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 1 1 1

5

10 10 10

8

6

23

7

9

7

5

13

1

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0-4Years

5-9Years

10-14Years

15-17Years

18-24Years

25-34Years

35-44Years

45-54Years

55-64Years

65-74Years

75+Years

Ocean / Harbour 10 Year Average Ocean / Harbour 2012/13

Diving 27%

Fall 2%

Fishing 2%



Watercraf 58%

Unknown 4%

14

1

15

4 4

7

9

15

10

21

10

7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16


Ocean / Harbour 10 Year Average Ocean / Harbour 2012/13

9


10/20

cdn d 0-4 s

There were 31 children between the ages o 0 and 4 yearswho drowned in Australia between 1 July 2012 and 30June 2013. This is a reduction o 2 drowning deaths (6%)on the ten year average o 33 (Figure 21). Although in

previous years we have seen pleasing reductions, thenumber o drowning deaths in the 2012/13 nancial yearis a disturbing reversal o the consistent downward trendobserved in the previous 4 years. In particular, it is a 48%increase on 2011/12 gures or this age group.

Males account or 65% o drowning deaths in the 0-4years age group in 2012/13. Swimming Pools continue toaccount or the largest proportion o drowning deaths inthis age group, representing 61% o all drowning deaths inchildren aged 0-4 years. Swimming Pools are also the onlylocation which has increased this year when compared tothe 10 year average (Figure 22). Falls into water continueto account or the majority o drowning deaths in childrenaged 0-4 years, representing the activity being conductedimmediately prior to drowning in 81% o cases. This wasollowed by Bathing which accounted or 13% o alldrowning deaths in children under ve (Figure 23).

C 5 a a c c

life stAge in foCus: chilDreN ageD 0-14 yearS

CAse study:NSw Smmn p lsn cns

In response to the continually high numbers o children under ve drowning in home swimming pools, some States andTerritories in Australia have, in recent years, enhanced legislation and moved towards increased enorcement aroundswimming pool encing and other saety considerations. In the past 10 years, 67 children under the age o ve havedrowned in backyard swimming pools in New South Wales. To improve child saety and reduce the number o childrendrowning in backyard pools, the NSW government has recently enacted new legislation that promotes the regularmaintenance o pool barriers whilst ensuring those barriers comply with the applicable barrier saety standards.

From the 29th April 2013, swimming pool owners in New South Wales were required to register their backyard swimming

pools in an online register provided by the NSW State Government. The register provides pool owners with pool saetychecklists and Be Pool Sae resources to help them sel-assess their pools saety. Pool owners will be asked to indicate,to the best o their knowledge, i their swimming pool complies with the Standard applicable to their pool based on theage o the pool or property type.

For inormation on home pool saety please visit: www.royallifesaving.com.au and visit Programs Home Pool Saety.

f 21: d da C 0-4 ya,2002/03 2012/13, 10 ya Ava

f 23: d da C 0-4 yab Acv, 2012/13

smm a cmb aa 10 a ava

f 22: d da C 0-4 ya

b lca, 2012/13, 10 ya Ava

fa a ma m cmm ca c v

42

38

26

42

37

27

3533

27

21

3133

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

53

1

3

17

443 3

19

2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1416

18

20

Bathtub /Spa Bath

Lake / Dam /Lagoon

Ocean /Harbour

River / Creek/ Stream

SwimmingPool

Other


Bathing 13%

Falls 81%


Watercraf 3%

10


11/20

CAse study:act Dmn edn Ss Sm & S pm 2012

The ACT Primary Schools Swimming and Water Saety program 2012 was another great success and involved 6,428primary school students rom across 50 ACT primary schools. The program has experienced rapid expansion over the lastew years and currently employs 58 swim teachers and 5 on-deck coordinators.

The aim o the program is to ensure access or all ACT primary students to quality learn to swim opportunities andwater saety education at an aordable rate. Through their participation in the program children learn to recognise thepotential dangers in and around water environments.

They learn how to communicate in aquatic emergencies and are able to explore and learn their own limitations in thewater. The program also links to Priority Area 4 o the Sae Waters ACT 2010-13 Action Plan which aims to eliminatedrowning deaths in the ACT.

The program is set or urther expansion in 2013.

cdn d 5-14 s

There were 9 drowning deaths o children aged 5-14years in Australian waterways between 1 July 2012 and30 June 2013. This is a reduction o 6 (46%) drowningdeaths on the 13 drowning deaths in 2011/12. It also

represents a 40% reduction on the 10 year averageo 15 drowning deaths (Figure 24). O the 9 drowningdeaths in this age group in 2012/13, males accountedor 89%.

Swimming Pools accounted or over hal (56%) o alldrowning deaths in this age group. Beaches were thelocation with the second highest number o drowningdeaths, accounting or a urther 22% o drowningdeaths in this age group (Figure 25).

More than hal o all drowning deaths in this age groupoccurred as a result o children intending to be in thewater, with Swimming and Recreating the activitybeing conducted prior to drowning in 56% o all cases.Activity was unknown in 11% o cases (Figure 26).

d a 5-14 a m 11 a

f 24: d da C 5-14 ya,2002/03 2012/13, 10 ya Ava

f 26: d da C 5-14 ya bAcv imma p, 2012/13

smm p acc v a a a c 5-14 a

f 25: d da C 5-14 ya b

lca, 2012/13

smm a rca a ca a c 5-14 a

14

11

16

11

22

17

13

1514

13

9

15

0

5

10

15

20

25 Falls 11%

RockFishing 11%


Watercraf11%

Unknown11%

Beach 22%

Lake / Dam /Lagoon 11%

Rocks 11%

Swimming Pool56%

11


12/20

There were 26 drowning deaths o Young Peopleaged between 15 and 24 years in Australianwaterways between 1 July 2012 and 30 June2013. This represents a reduction o 11 drowningdeaths (or 30%) on the 10 year average o 37

drowning deaths (Figure 27). Males account or85% o all drowning deaths in this age group.

Beaches were the location with the highestnumber o drowning deaths o young peopleaged 15 to 24 years in 2012/13 with 8 drowningdeaths. This is on par with the 10 year average.Most other locations recorded a reductionagainst the 10 year average with Rocks the onlyother location to experience an increase againstthe 10 year average (Figure 28).

Accidents involving watercrat, swimming andrecreating and intentionally entering the water

were responsible or 69% o all drowning deaths inyoung people in 2012/13 (23% each). The activitybeing conducted immediately prior to drowningwas unknown in 12% o cases (Figure 29).

There has been a 67% decrease in drowningdeaths o young people in Queensland this yearagainst the 10 year average o 12 drowningdeaths. New South Wales experienced 10drowning deaths in this age group, which wasonly a reduction o three drowning deaths onthe 10 year average o 13. Western Australia sawa 50% increase in drowning deaths in 15-24 year

olds against the 10 year average. The AustralianCapital Territory and Tasmania recorded zerodrowning deaths in this age group in the 2012/13nancial year (Figure 30).

The ongoing challenge o reducing drowningdeaths and improving water saety knowledgeand skills in young people aged 15-24 is anothergoal identied in the Australian Water SaetyStrategy 2012-15.

Key objectives or achieving reductions indrowning deaths in this age group includeidentiying underlying actors or drowning and

developing programs that provide the skills andknowledge needed or sae aquatic participationsuch as swimming and rescue skills. Addressingthemes o alcohol consumption and risk takingbehaviour around water are also key orpreventing drowning in this age group.

life stAge in foCus:youNg people ageD 15-24 yearS

f 27: d da y p 15-24 a,2002/03 2012/13, 10 ya Ava

rv a ca b 36% cma 10 a ava

f 28: d da y p 15-24 ya

b lca, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

36 35 36 36 34 35

41

38 35

45

26

37

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

2

8

4

6

11

2

4

1

8

23

7

32

1

0

2

4

6

8

10

12


d a a 15-24 av b a a 11 a

22MAles Aged15-24 yeArsdrowned

12


13/20

f 29: d da y p 15-24 yab Acv imma p, 2012/13

sa c a a 15-24 Qldcma 10 a ava

f 30: d da y p 15-24 ya

b sa / t, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

Diving 4%Fall 4%

Jumped In 23%


Rock Fishing 4%

Swept In 4%


Watercraf 23%

Unknown12%

13

1

12

1 1

54

10

1

4

1

4

6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14



waca, mm a a ab m

04feMAles Aged

15-24 yeArsdrowned

CAse study:S w B

The term shallow water blackoutis commonly used to describe a losso consciousness under water causedby a lack o oxygen to the brainollowing breath-holding. Although

the term reers to shallow water,it can occur at any depth. The risko shallow water blackout can beencountered by healthy adults oradolescents who hyperventilatebeore initiating prolongedunderwater swimming activities.

Hyperventilation, or over-breathing,involves breathing aster and/ordeeper than the body requires. Thiscauses the carbon dioxide level inthe blood to be lowered. In turn, thisresults in the carbon dioxide taking

longer to build up to trigger the needto take a breath. The oxygen in thebody may be used up beore reachingthe trigger level, resulting in a suddenloss o consciousness.

Hyperventilating prior to engagingin underwater activities where thebreath is held can lead to a loss oconsciousness and drowning. Thereis usually no warning that alertsthe swimmer o the impendingunconsciousness.

Although this is not a common cause odrowning deaths, atalities have beenrecorded related to spear shing, reediving and even in swimming pools.

S s d s

s b:

Av a a a a ba mm a.

lm a cmv,v cba- acv.

ra va aba- acvca .

Av acm a mm.

lav a a

xc a ba zz.

Aa m m aca a a.

13


14/20

There were 114 drowning deaths o peopleaged 55 years and over in Australian waterwaysbetween 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013. This is anincrease o 27 drowning deaths (or 31%) on the10 year average o 87 drowning deaths (Figure

31). Males accounted or 79% o all drowningdeaths in this age group.

Beaches were the location with the highestnumber o drowning deaths o people aged 55years and over with 31 drowning deaths. Beachdrowning deaths have also more than doubledthis year compared to the 10 year average o 14drowning deaths. Lakes / Dams / Lagoons alsorecorded a sharp increase in drowning deathsin people aged 55+ with 19 drowning deaths,compared to the 10 year average o 7. Almostall aquatic locations recorded an increase indrowning deaths o people aged 55 years in

2012/13 when compared to the 10 year average(Figure 32).

Accidents involving watercrat were responsibleor the largest number o drowning deaths inpeople aged 55+ with 27 drowning deaths or24% o all drowning deaths in this lie stage. Thiswas ollowed by Swimming and Recreating (15%)and Falls into water (14%). Activity immediatelyprior to drowning was unknown in 18% odrowning deaths in people aged 55+ (Figure 33).

There are a diverse range o activities being

undertaken by people aged 55+ prior todrowning. When examining activity prior todrowning by the age bands within this liestage, drowning deaths as a result o accidentsinvolving watercrat decrease as people age,declining rom 14 drowning deaths in peopleaged 55-64 to just 4 drowning deaths in thoseaged 75+. In the elderly (75+) drowning deathsas a result o alls increase and the more activepursuits o undertaking a rescue or rock shingresulted in no drowning deaths in this age group(Figure 34).

d a ca b 30% 10 a ava

f 31: d da p A 55+ ya, 2002/03 2012/13, 10 ya Ava

d a ca aa 10 aava am a aqac ca

f 32: d da p A 55+ ya blca, 10 ya Ava, 2012/13

5

14

7

17

24

4

12

31

6

31

19 19

27

47

1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35


96

8187

83

65

78

88

99 101

92

114

87

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

life stAge in foCus: people ageD 55 yearS aND over

90MAles Aged

55 yeArs And oVerdrowned

14


15/20

ic vv waca b a mb a

f 33: d da p A 55+ ya b Acvimma p, 2012/13

d a a a a, mm a acaa cc a

f 34: d da p A 55+ ya b Ag a Acv imma p, 2012/13

Bathing 5%Diving 5%

Falls 14%

Fishing 4%


Rescue 2%

Rock Fishing 4%

Swept In 1%Swimming &

Recreatng 15%

Watercraf 24%

Unknown 18%

1

3

5

3 32 2

1

6

14

9

4 3

5

2

5

2

5

9

3

1

6

2

6

4

8

0

2

46

8

0

2

4

6

55-64 Years 65-74 Years 75+ Years

24feMAles Aged

55 yeArs And oVerdrowned

CAse study:asn w SS 2012-15

Addressing the consistently highnumber o drowning deaths in peopleaged 55+ is a goal o the AustralianWater Saety Strategy 2012-15.

The 30% increase in drowning deathso people aged 55+ this year whencompared to the 10 year averagehighlights the need or evidencebased drowning prevention strategiesspecically developed or olderAustralians.

The Strategy highlights key objectivesor achieving reductions in drowningdeaths in this age group through thedevelopment and implementation oa national public awareness campaign.Other objectives include strengtheningdrowning prevention and healthyactivity through programs andimplementing strategies that ostermore inclusive aquatic venues thataddress the growing needs o peopleaged 55+.

15


16/20

There were 50 people who wereknown to have an underlyingmedical condition that may havecontributed to their drowningdeaths. O these 82% were malesand over hal (56%) were aged 55years or older.

The most common category omedical condition was diseaseso the circulatory system (11%),

such as ischaemic heart disease,hypertension (high blood pressure)and coronary artery disease. Thenext most common category omedical condition was diseases othe nervous system such as epilepsyand cerebral palsy.

Royal Lie Saving recommends thatpeople aged 55 years and overundergo regular medical check-ups, as well as anyone participatingin activities such as scuba diving.Children or adults with a history

o epilepsy should always besupervised when in, on, or aroundthe water.

In 70 cases (24%), the personwho drowned was a visitor to thelocation where they drowned. Othese 43 people drowned withintheir own State or Territory ina postcode that was 100kms orgreater rom their residentialpostcode. A urther 16 were visitinga dierent State or Territory whenthey drowned.

Eleven people who drowned in2012/13 were overseas tourists,predominately rom Europeancountries such as Germany, Estoniaand England. Over hal (55%)drowned at Beaches, with another18% drowning at Rivers, Creeksand Streams. The most commonlyundertaken activities were surngand body boarding, swimming andrecreating and snorkelling.

Regardless o how ar you liverom the aquatic environments you

recreate in, with natural waterways,conditions can change regularly.Where possible you should checkwith a local resident regardingthe conditions prior to enteringthe water. International tourists toAustralia should be provided withwater saety inormation on arrivalto Australia and be encouragedto swim between the fags atAustralian beaches.

Fiteen victims were known tohave recorded positive readingsor alcohol in their bloodstreamat the time they drowned. Almostall (81%) recorded a blood alcoholreading that was signicantlyhigher than the legal limit oroperating watercrat and vehicles(0.05). The highest blood alcoholreading identied was 0.229 whichis 4.5 times the legal limit.

Fiteen victims were also knownto have some kind o drug in theirsystem when they drowned. Inalmost hal o these cases, thedrugs were known to be illegal orabuse o legal drugs. Commonlyoccurring illegal drugs weremethamphetamines and cannabis.There were a urther 258 caseswhere involvement o drugs andalcohol is not currently known,indicating that the involvemento drugs and alcohol in drowning

deaths in 2012/13 is likely to be argreater than currently known.

The ingestion o illegal drugs and/oralcohol prior to undertaking aquaticactivity is known to increase therisk o drowning as they can impairjudgement, slow reaction times,impair coordination and can result ingreater risk taking behaviour. Somemedications may also increase therisk o drowning as they may makepeople unsteady on their eet or slow

reaction times. Mixing prescriptionmedication with alcohol can alsoincrease a persons risk o drowning.Royal Lie Saving strongly urgespeople to rerain rom consumingalcohol or taking illegal drugs andto consider the possible side eectso prescription medication wheninteracting with water.

undn Md cndns vs Ss Ds & a

r ac a ca a cac ca c a, , c-cmc a,

mca c, v a a ac c a cm a ac. t a

ca va qc va ac a a cc 2012/13.

DrowNiNg riSk factorS

people DrowNeD

who haD uNDerlyiNg

meDical coNDitioNs50 people DrowNeD whowere visitors to the

iNciDeNt locatioN70 people DrowNeD whorecorDeD positive

reaDiNgs for alcohol15

6


17/20

By collecting data on the postcode o the drowningincident location, it is possible to determine theremoteness classication o the incident location. Twothirds (66%) o drowning deaths in 2012/13 took place inareas deemed to be Major Cities or Inner Regional. One

quarter o all drowning deaths in Major Cities and InnerRegional Areas took place at Beaches, with another 21%at Rivers. The most common activities being conductedimmediately prior to drowning in Major Cities andInner Regional areas were Falls into water (21% o alldrowning deaths in these remoteness classications),ollowed by Swimming and Recreating (19%) andWatercrat (14%).

Drowning deaths in Outer Regional areas weremost likely to occur as a result o accidents involvingWatercrat (36% o all Outer Regional drowning deaths)ollowed by accidents involving non-aquatic transport(13%) and diving (10%).

CAse study: Dnn Ds b rmnss

f 35: d a b rm Caca ic pc, 2012/13

Rivers, creeks and streams was the aquatic locationwith the highest number o drowning deaths in OuterRegional areas accounting or 27% o all drownings.

Eleven percent o all drowning deaths in 2012/13

occurred in areas deemed Remote or Very Remote.Drowning deaths in these locations were most commonlyas a result o accidents involving Watercrat (21%) andSwimming and Recreating or Falls into water (15%respectively). Rivers saw the highest number o drowningdeaths, accounting or 24% o all drowning deaths inRemote or Very Remote areas.

Access to timely medical assistance in Remote and VeryRemote areas is made all the more dicult due toisolation rom major services. Thereore promoting anincreased awareness o the risks o undertaking aquaticrecreation alone in isolated areas and the importance orst aid and rst responder skills is extremely important.

Inner

Regional25%Major

Cities41% Outer

Regional23% Very

Remote6%Remote 5%


18/20

ima m ra l sav sc

Aaa naa d r 2013 a b

cc m sa a t Ca oc,

naa Ca ima sm (nCis) a

ma . Ca a ca a ra l sav sa a t Mmb

oaa a aa b ra l sav

sc Aaa.

Royal Lie Saving uses a media monitoring service (both broadcastand print) all year round to identiy drowning deaths reported inthe media. This inormation is then corroborated with inormationrom the NCIS, Police and Royal Lie Saving State and TerritoryMember Organisations (STMOs) beore being included in theNational Drowning Report.

All care is taken to ensure that the inormation is as accurate aspossible. However, these gures should be considered interimuntil the Australian Bureau o Statistics (ABS) releases its causes odeath gures or 2012 and 2013. Figures may change dependingupon the ongoing coronial investigations and ndings as 79% ocases were still under investigation (i.e. open) at the time o theproduction o this report.

This report contains inormation on 2012/13 drowning deathsknown as o 23rd August 2013. All other data is correct as o 1July 2013, in accordance with Royal Lie Savings ongoing qualityassurance and data checking processes. All cases in the Royal LieSaving database are checked against the NCIS on a regular basisand gures are updated in drowning reports rom year to year ascases close. The 10 year averages were calculated rom drowningdeath data rom 2002/03 to 2011/12 inclusive.

Drowning rates per 100,000 population are based on the ABSpublication Australian Demographic Statistics (Cat. No 3101.0)which are calculated using the 2011 Census data. Percentagesand averages are presented as whole numbers and have beenrounded up or down accordingly.

Exclusions rom this report include: suicide, homicide, deaths romnatural causes, shark and crocodile attacks, or hypothermia whereknown. All inormation presented is about drowning deaths or

deaths where drowning was known to be a actor (e.g. a car rolledinto the water and a person drowned).

Non-aquatic Transport replaces the activity category o Drivingused in previous reports. Non-aquatic Transport related todrowning deaths involving means o transport not primarilydesigned or aquatic use such as cars, motorbikes, bicycles andaeroplanes among others. Means o transport primarily used oraquatic purposes are captured in the Watercrat category (e.g.boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks etc).

Royal Lie Saving would like to thankthe ollowing people and organisationsor their assistance in producing theRoyal Lie Saving National DrowningReport 2013:

Royal Lie Saving State and TerritoryMember Organisations (STMOs)

The National CoronialInormation System (NCIS)

The Queensland Commission orChildren and Young People andChild Guardian (CCYPCG)

Sur Lie Saving Australia (SLSA)

Leanne Daking (NCIS)

Proessor John Pearn,Royal Lie Saving Society AustraliaNational Medical Advisor

Barbara Brighton (SLSA) Justin Scarr (RLSSA)

Rick Carter (Jimmy Too Design)

Stephanie Muller (CCYPCG)

Reyelle McKeever (CCYPCG)

The drowning prevention research othe Royal Lie Saving Society Australiais supported by theAustralian Government.

This report was compiled byAmy Peden, National Manager Research and Policy, Royal Lie SavingSociety Australia.

Ca:

Royal Lie Saving Society Australia(2013) Royal Lie Saving Society Australia National DrowningReport 2013.

Royal Lie Saving Society Australia 2013

Methods ACknowledgMents

8


19/20

Children 0-4 yeArs

31 c a 0-4 a 2012/13

48% ca a a

f ca c a a ca m 2009/10

smm acc 61% a a

c 5C 5 acc 44% a mm a 2012/13 aca a

A abc v a 94% ca

superVise

C/Ca/fc

restriCt ACCess

fc /ga/Maa

wAter AwAreness

fama/dv/eca

resusCitAte

la/ua/Ac

24% inVolVed wAterCrAft 56% with MediCAl Conditionswere Aged 55+

people Aged 55 yeArs And oVer

114 a a 55 a a v Aaa aa b 1 J 2012 a 30 J 2013

t a ca 27 a ( 31%) 10 aava 87 a

Bac ca mb a a 55 a a v 31 a

27% a a a

Acc vv aca b amb a a 55+ acc 24% a a a

ov a (56%) av a mca c, a 55 a

31Children Aged0-4 yeArs drowned

in 2012/13

114people Aged

55 yeArs And oVerdrowned in 2012/13

wac v & av a :

b.m/rlSnas

wac v & av a :

b.m/rlSnas


20/20

for More inforMAtionABout this report ContACt:

ra l sav sc - Aaa

p 02 8217 3111e-ma @a..aV .aav.cm.a

ContACt royAl life sAVingin your stAte or territory:

ACt p 02 6260 5800

e-ma [email protected]

nsw p 02 9634 3700

e-ma @a.cm.a

nt p 08 8927 0400

e-ma @a..a

Qld p 07 3823 2823e-ma [email protected]

sA p 08 8210 4500


tAs p 03 6243 7558


ViC p 03 9676 6900


wA p 08 9383 8200

e-ma @a.cm.a

acb.cm/ralsav

.cm/aav

b.cm/ralsavA

.aav.cm.a

royal life saving national drowning report 2013

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