Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving Australia report males account for 80% of all drowning deaths

September 18, 2020

Reports published today by Australia’s two peak water safety bodies - Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia – highlight that males accounted for 80% of all drowning deaths last season, with risk taking behaviours around water a key issue.

The reports highlight that men taking risks by overestimating their abilities while swimming at unpatrolled locations, consuming alcohol and drugs, and not wearing a lifejacket contribute to their over-representation in drowning statistics.

Despite a decrease of 8% in overall drowning deaths compared to the previous year, tragically 248 people drowned across Australia from July 2019-June 2020, with men aged 25-34 years the most at risk demographic.

There were 125 coastal drowning deaths, 82 drowning deaths in inland waterways, and 28 in swimming pools. A further breakdown of coastal waters found 45 drowning deaths on beaches, 41 offshore and 26 at rock/cliff locations.

As published in the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2020 and Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2020, the research findings also highlight:

Males accounted for 80% of all drowning deaths (93% for the 25 -34 age group)
Research shows that risk taking, use of alcohol and drugs, and the absence of appropriate safety precautions including lifejackets are key factors in male drowning.

Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr advises “The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2020 is a sobering reminder that while Australians love the water, too many lives are lost, and families impacted by drowning each year.

“Men taking risks and overestimating abilities continues to be our greatest challenge. We urge men to look out for your mates, while holidaying, camping and boating on rivers and lakes.

“The 52% decrease in drowning of children under five is real progress, however we caution parents against complacency. Check your pool fence and gate, and always keep watch”.

Surf Life Saving Australia Chief Executive, Adam Weir adds “The Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2020 highlights the importance of being aware of your actions and decisions around water.

“Swimming at unpatrolled locations, alcohol and drugs, and not wearing a lifejacket, are key contributors to why we continue to see men over-represented in our drowning statistics.

“For those boating, rock fishing and on watercraft the message is simple – please wear a lifejacket – it could save your life.”

With the support of the Australian Government, Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving work with the Australian Water Safety Council, State and Territory organisations, and local communities to prevent drowning across the country and increase water safety awareness.

Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the Federal Government was determined to support organisations like Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving Australia to raise water safety awareness and to make our pools, waterways and beaches safer.

The Government continues to support drowning prevention initiatives delivered by organisations which include the peak bodies Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving Australia with Minister Colbeck advising that “an investment of $36 million helps with activities including awareness-raising and education, surf patrols, swimming and water safety education and new rescue technologies.”

To stay safe around water, Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving urge all Australians to:

Supervise children at all times in, on and around water
Learn swimming, water safety 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

Royal Life Saving Society – Australia National Drowning Report 2020. Available in full at www.royallifesaving.com.au

Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2020. Available in full at www.sls.com.au.

NATIONAL Key findings – Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2020

248 drowning deaths in Australia across all aquatic locations, an 8% decrease on 2018/19 and a 12% decrease compared with the 10-year average
Males accounted for 80% of all drowning deaths
Drowning deaths among children 0-4 years (12) decreased by 52%, compared with the 10-year average, but remain tragically high
Among young people aged 15-24 years, 48% drowned while swimming, highlighting the importance of swimming and lifesaving lessons in the secondary school years
Swimming was the leading activity being undertaken prior to drowning, accounting for a quarter of deaths (25%), followed by boating (18%) and falls (15%)
Drowning deaths in rivers decreased by 32% compared with the 10-year average, while deaths in lakes increased by 19%

NATIONAL Key findings – Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2020

125 coastal drowning fatalities, a 2.5% increase compared to 2018/19 and above the 16-year average of 115.
For the first time since collecting coastal drowning data, boating/PWC (31%) was the highest activity being undertaken at the time of drowning, followed by swimming/wading (20%) and rock fishing (14%)
Males continue to be significantly overrepresented in coastal drowning data with 86% for 2019/20
The highest number of coastal drowning deaths for 2019/20 were aged 20-24 years and 25-29 years
Rip currents have contributed to 25% of coastal drowning deaths since 2004
Only 4% of fatal rock fishing incidents were wearing a lifejacket since 2004

13th September 2020 - Royal Life Saving survey suggests that swim school enrolments fell by 30% in August

25th August 2020 - Royal Life Saving introduces new conflict management course for the aquatic industry

11th August 2020 - Royal Life Saving publishes new National Swimming and Water Safety Framework for learn to swim programs

12th June 2020 - Royal Life Saving responds to questions on resuscitation during Coronavirus pandemic

20th May 2020 - Royal Life Saving fears AIS reboot Framework fails to account for swimming and water safety programs

1st May 2020 - Royal Life Saving makes the case for the reopening of Australia’s aquatic centres and swim schools

3rd April 2020 - Royal Life Saving welcomes JobKeeper payments as a ‘$700 million lifeline’ for aquatic facilities and swim schools

18th March 2020 - Royal Life Saving releases position statement on the impact of Coronavirus on aquatic facilites

9th March 2020 - Royal Life Saving WA releases REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan

27th February 2020 - Royal Life Saving helps new migrants with learn to swim and water safety program

12th February 2020 - Royal Life Saving ACT to stage lakeside family event to promote water safety

19th December 2019 - Royal Life Saving WA partners with LIWA Aquatics to stress water safety vigilance over summer holidays

17th September 2020 - New operations centre opened for Surf Life Saving NSW

9th September 2020 - Gold Coast inspires through their delivery of Surf Life Saving inclusivity

5th September 2020 - Surf Life Saving WA prepares for busy beaches with return of helicopter services

1st September 2020 - New report shows Surf Life Saving worth $6.5 billion annually to Australian community

25th August 2020 - Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club one many small Gold Coast businesses to receive funding

27th July 2020 - Surf Life Saving Clubs across NSW to receive $4 million in development grant funding

1st July 2020 - Surf Life Saving Australia celebrates 40 years of Women in Surf Life Saving

14th May 2020 - Surf Life Saving Queensland volunteer surf lifesavers save over 700 lives during latest patrol season

2nd March 2020 - Pride in Sport program welcomes Surf Life Saving Australia

27th January 2020 - Surf Life Saving NSW trials free Beach Wi-Fi technology

4th December 2019 - Surf Life Saving Queensland receives funding boost for surf safety

29th April 2019 - Surf Life Saving Australia shares beach safety challenges

7th February 2019 - Surf Life Saving Australia receives funding for its Seniors fitness program

14th December 2017 - Surf Life Saving Australia reveals 116 coastal drowning deaths in 2016/17

2nd March 2016 - Surf Life Saving South Australia launches training academy to boost standards

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