Published 31 January 2023
After drowning deaths peaking on public holidays for the past decade, people across Australia have heeded water safety warnings with drowning death numbers plummeting over the long weekend.
With many choosing to take Friday off following Thursday’s public holiday, just one drowning death was reported across Australia across the four-day weekend, despite warm weather being recorded across most of the country.
With that death in NSW, the Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll has now recorded 52 deaths since 1 December 2022.
Sadly, the success of water safety prevention measures across the long weekend has not been reflected in the overall statistics, with one person drowning every day on average in January. If we continue at that rate, 365 people will perish in Australian waterways and pools in 2023.
Three concerning trends have emerged in the data to date: people attempting to rescue others; groups of swimmers getting into difficulty; and males remaining over-represented, with three-quarters of drowning deaths involving males.
Drowning deaths have happened when swimming, boating, kayaking, and unintentional falls into water. Both coastal and inland waterways have claimed high numbers of lives this summer.
Royal Life Saving Chief Executive Officer Justin Scarr is pleading people, especially men, to remember even at your favourite swimming, fishing and boating spots that conditions will have changed following the La Niña conditions of the past three years.
“With the incidents of big groups of people getting into trouble and people either drowning or needing hospitalisation, this is a stark reminder to look out for your mates around water,” Mr Scarr said.
“We always need to be on alert when in, on and around water. Once again, we’ve seen too many lives lost to our waterways this summer and it’s not over yet. Please be aware of your limitations, check the signage, swim at a patrolled location and always supervise children.
“If it has been some time since you’ve swum, remember to go easy – swimming is an activity you need to build up stamina and strength in, just like other forms of physical activity. If you see someone in difficulty, call triple zero.”
Royal Life Saving reminds everyone to enjoy the water safely, but to be aware of their safety around the water, in all locations.
These are our top five tips to enjoy the water safely this summer:
- Always supervise children around water
- Avoid alcohol around water
- Wear a lifejacket when boating and fishing
- Know the conditions
- Avoid going alone
Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll
Royal Life Saving’s Summer Drowning Toll is updated regularly over the summer (1 Dec 2022 to 28 Feb 2023). The website includes an analysis of fatal drowning, including a comparison of ‘this time’ last summer, as well as location and activity information. The website can be found at https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/research-and-policy/drowning-research/summer-drowning-toll
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia’s research, education and advocacy work in drowning prevention and water safety is supported by the Australian Government.
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