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.
Rates of hospitalisation and death due to drowning and submersion differ by age group and sex (Figure 3). the age-standardised rates were: 2.8 cases per 100,000 males and. 1.9 cases per 100,000 females.
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.
“Many Queenslanders might be surprised to learn that rivers and creeks were the dominant location for drowning, with 45 per cent of all drowning deaths occurring there. “Alarmingly the largest number of drowning deaths occurred among people aged 25-34 years, which is different to the trend in the rest of Australia.
While children are at highest risk, anyone can drown. Every year in the United States there are an estimated: 4,000* fatal unintentional drownings—that is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day. 8,000† nonfatal drownings—that is an average of 22 nonfatal drownings per day.
The odds of dying from drowning are about 1 in 10,000. However, this number may be higher for certain groups of people, such as those who live near bodies of water or who participate in water-related activities. Drowning is defined as death caused by suffocation from submersion in a liquid.
Australia-wide there have been 88 drowning deaths.
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.
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.
Between 1990 and 2017 there have been a total of 3 unprovoked shark attacks at Bondi Beach. None have been fatal.
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.
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.
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.
drowning incidents are combined, a total of 1025 drowning incidents occurred in Australia, representing a crude drowning rate of 3.99 drowning incidents per 100,000 population.
From the start of the Summer Drowning Toll on 1 December 2022 to now, 26 people in Australia have lost their lives to drowning.
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.
Lack of swimming ability.
The most common cause of drowning is not knowing how to swim. Many adults and children will attempt to get into the water without proper swim training. Formal water safety and swimming lessons under the supervision of a lifeguard can dramatically decrease the risk of drowning.
Look for safety signs and do not swim in rivers, estuaries, mangrove shores or deep pools. Always seek local advice in your area about crocodiles before boating, fishing and camping.
Only swim at patrolled beaches (a beach where there are lifeguards on duty) and always swim between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards can see you. Many Australian beaches have 'rips'. These are strong underwater currents that can be hard to spot but which can draw you away from the shore quickly.
The top three leading causes of preventable injury-related death – poisoning, motor vehicle, and falls – account for over 86% of all preventable deaths. No other preventable cause of death—including suffocation, drowning, fires and burns, and natural or environmental disasters—accounts for more than 5% of the total.
Affects a Diverse Group of Almost Half of Americans
46% report being afraid of drowning.>