2023 Young Male Drowning Prevention Workshop Summary Statement

October, 2023

Royal Life Saving - Australia

https://doi.org/10.62977/85565

Abstract

In October 2023, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia organised an Australian Water Safety Council Workshop to advance drowning prevention strategies for young males (15-29 years). Practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and experts from Australia’s drowning prevention and men’s health sectors assembled at the Essendon Football Club in Melbourne for a one-day, thinktank style workshop event. The workshop included presentations from experts who work outside water safety, a panel discussion with young males working in a variety of drowning prevention and aquatics roles, a review of statistics and research on young male drowning, assessment of a variety of male-focused drowning prevention campaigns from Australia and New Zealand, and table-top discussions to assess and prioritise the key Australian Water Safety Strategy actions in this area. The group determined major priorities required for progress in this Focus Area of the AWSS 2030 and came away with several important learnings relevant for young male drowning prevention efforts. Click below to read a summary output of the 2023 Young Male Drowning Prevention workshop.