Published 22 January 2025
Heading into the long weekend, Royal Life Saving is urging men to ‘Make the Right Call’ when around the water with their mates and families.
Over the last decade, 2237 males have fatally drowned. On average, 220 father, sons, husbands, brothers, friends drown each year. Males continue to be over-represented, making up 82% of all drowning deaths.
Inland waterways pose higher risks for younger men aged 25 – 34 years, with 41% of all drowning in this age group occurring at rivers/creeks, and lakes/dams. In comparison, men 35 – 44 years most commonly drown at beaches (26%).
Alcohol is a significant factor for drowning in men. Research shows that 25 – 34 years age group report the highest proportion (34%) of alcohol-related drowning compared to all other age groups.
In response, Royal Life Saving has released it’s Make the Right Call campaign targeting men aged 25 – 45 years, encouraging men to look after their mates to keep each other safe around water, especially when swimming, boating, and fishing in rivers and lakes.
Public holiday long weekends are known to be risky time for drowning, with many people travelling to unfamiliar locations, having social gatherings around water, which combined with predicted hot weather can make for a fatal combination.
“We are asking men to make the right call and look after their mates to keep each other safe around water this long weekend, when swimming, boating, and fishing this holiday. ” says Royal Life Saving Chief Executive Officer Dr Justin Scarr.
“We know that young men often overestimate their skills and ability around water, and underestimate the dangers of hazards like currents, water depth and changes in conditions, which can be heightened with alcohol and influence from peers.”, said Dr Justin Scarr.
The Make the Right safety tips are:
- Avoid alcohol around water
- Wear a lifejacket when on the water
- Avoid going alone around water
Royal Life Saving’s Make the Right Call campaign is supported by the Australian Government.
For more information visit the Royal Life Saving website www.royallifesaving.com.au/maketherightcall
Media Contact:
Ross Woodward, Media Key
P: (03) 9769 6488
E: mediakeypr@iprimus.com.au
B-Roll and Campaign Images
To download B-roll or campaign images, please visit:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f3gomjg836z1z4z/AACHX9CWjUzWEqJxH8-DCOE6a?dl=0
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Royal Life Saving Australia is dedicated to the prevention of drowning and the promotion of safe aquatic places and practices through education, research, risk management and advocacy. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Australia can enjoy the water safely and confidently.
Royal Life Saving National Summer Drowning Toll
Royal Life Saving’s Summer Drowning Toll is updated daily over the summer, from 1 December 2024 to 28 February 2025. The site features an interactive dashboard to compare current data with last summer and the five-year average, with filters for state or national insights.
The National Summer Drowning Toll can be found at summerdrowningtoll.com.au
Make the Right Call Campaign
Royal Life Saving’s Make the Right Call campaign encourages all Australians – especially males – to look after their mates to keep each other safe when enjoying the country’s beautiful inland waterways. It advocates a commonsense approach by asking them to ‘Make the Right Call’ and look after themselves and their mates to keep them safe by implementing a series of simple safety measures.
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia’s research, education and advocacy work in drowning prevention and water safety is supported by the Australian Government.
For more about the Make the Call Campaign, visit www.royallifesaving.com.au/maketherightcall
