Between July 2004 and June 2021, there were 240 drowning deaths of children aged between 0 and 17 years. Over the last 5-year period the drowning mortality rate was 1.2 per 100,000 population aged 0–17 years.
It highlights our research and analysis of fatal drowning of children aged 5 – 14 years across Australia between 1st July 2011 and 30th June 2021. During this time, 105 children aged 5 – 14 years drowned in Australia. On average there were 10 child (aged 5-14 years) drowning deaths per year.
Children. Children ages 1–4 have the highest drowning rates. Most drownings in children 1–4 happen in swimming pools. Drowning can happen even when children are not expected to be near water, such as when they gain unsupervised access to pools.
Over the past 2 decades, the rate of unintentional drowning deaths among children aged 0–17 years declined 38%, from 1.6 per 100,000 in 1999 to 1.0 in 2019. Unintentional drowning death rates among children were highest for those aged 1–4, with rates decreasing from 3.2 in 1999 to 2.4 in 2019.
Men account for 83% of all drowning. Alcohol and drugs, risk taking behaviour and men over-estimating their swimming ability are all considered key factors.
On average, 9 children under the age of 5 drown in Queensland each year. An average of 4 children aged 5-17 years drown each year. The Queensland Child Death Register records all child deaths in Queensland. Between July 2004 and June 2021, there were 240 drowning deaths of children aged between 0 and 17 years.
Australia-wide there have been 88 drowning deaths. Lifesavers say it's essential people keep water safety front of mind and know their own abilities.
Eighty-seven percent of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs for children younger than 5. Most take place in pools owned by family or friends. Children 5 to 17 years old are more likely to drown in natural water, such as ponds or lakes.
Locations where drowning and submersions occur
Swimming pools are the most common location of drowning and submersion accidents that lead to hospital admission, closely followed by natural bodies of water (Table 1).
The risk of drowning peaks at the 1-2 years age band, with 66% of all drowning deaths occurring among children of this age. Drowning risk peaks at this age, due to children being more mobile and exploring their surroundings, without the swimming skills nor understanding of risk.
In children with cardiac arrest after drowning, neurologically intact survival varies from 0% to 40%.
Lack of oxygen quickly affects organs throughout the body, including the brain and heart. And even a little water in the lungs can cause serious lung problems in the next hours or days. Your child will need to be in the hospital for testing and treatment.
Drowning can be categorised into five different types: near drowning, dry drowning, freshwater drowning, salt water drowning and secondary drowning.
Coastal cliffs and rocky ledges (or rock platforms) contribute to around 1 in 5 drowning deaths in Australia. Fatalities occur particularly among rock fishers. People recreating on rocky coasts are often unprepared for entering the water or swimming (Kennedy et al.
Rivers and creeks were the leading location for drowning in 2021/22. In part, this was due to significant flooding in New South Wales and Queensland as a result of intense rainfall. Climate change will continue to impact drowning in Australia.
Is it safe to swim at Australian beaches? The safest Australian beaches for swimming are the beaches patrolled by Lifeguards and Surf Lifesavers so always research the local patrolled beach closest to where you are staying. Follow these guidelines and you will have lots of fun at our beaches and safely return home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 80 percent of people who die from drowning are male. This is thought to be because men are more likely to participate in swimming and water sports under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In addition, they are more likely forgo wearing a life jacket.
Babies and young children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water. Hundreds of children have drowned in bathtubs, garden ponds, toilets and 5-gallon buckets. Always watch toddlers when in the bathroom.
In patients with mixed hypoxic and hypothermic cardiac arrest who undergo ECPR, neurologically intact survival is reported between 5 and 22 percent, although studies include a small number of patients and are retrospective.
Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Report 2022/23
In total, 90 people lost their lives in Australian waterways and swimming pools between 1 December 2022 and 28 February 2023.
In the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2021 and Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2021 released today, there were 294 drowning deaths in the past 12 months across Australia's coastline, inland waterways and pools, which is 20% higher than last year (245).