2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
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2018/19 Life Saving Victoria Drowning 56 Report
CEO’s Report 3
Contents
Summary Drowning Statistics 4
Our Performance 6
Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes 9
Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes – Key Success 10
Who is Drowning? 12
When, Where, What 16
Risk Factors 21
Coronial Recommendations 22
Snapshot: Murray River Drowning 2008/09 to 2018/19 23
Snapshot: Coastal Blackspot Projects 24
Drowning Profiles by Victorian Statistical Areas, 2008/09 to 2017/18 26
157
Victorian Water Safety Industry 32
Methods 33
total drowning incidents
(fatal and non-fatal).
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 2
69% increase in those walking or
A
CEO’s Report
In terms of activities geared towards
playing near water just prior to the drowning prevention in the future,
fatal drowning incident compared to we have continued our progress
the 10-year average. This was also in developing swimming skills and
the most common activity in 2018/19 water safety knowledge of primary
representing 21% (12) of all incidents. school children, which is a foundation
nintentional water entry (including
U strategy for water safety in Victoria. We
slips/trips/falls and attempting a welcomed funding from the Department
rescue) accounted for 46% (26) of of Education and Training for the Public
fatal drowning incidents this year. Water Safety Initiative, which focusses
This is double that of the past decade on supporting schools and aquatic
with an average of 13 (33%) per year facilities in delivering swimming and
from 2008/09 to 2017/18. water safety education.
ine drowning deaths in which
N Meanwhile, the Safer Public Pools
alcohol and/or illicit drugs were Project, delivered in partnership with
Tragically, 56 people in Victoria lost the Victorian Government through
reportedly consumed by the individual
their lives to drowning this year. prior to drowning, representing 16% Emergency Management Victoria, has
It was the state’s highest annual of the total number of drowning seen the introduction of a new code of
drowning toll in more than two incidents in 2018/19. practice, as well as the establishment of
decades and 17 more than the a public pools register, allowing Victorians
ignificant increases in the drowning
S
average number of drowning to check their local pool’s safety
rates of Victorians aged 15-24 years
incidents in Victoria over the past classification and accreditation history.
(77%), 45-64 years (51%) and 65+ years
10 years (2008/09-2017/18). This (71%), compared to the 10-year average. There have been other positive
figure represents a significant rise developments in 2018/19, notably the
en in those age groups had the
M
in the number of families coming steps taken to reduce toddler drownings
highest drowning rates per head of
home from a day on or around the in home pools and spas. Legislation
population in 2018/19.
water to live with the unfathomable due to come into effect in December
hose residing in regional areas
T 2019, will include mandatory registration
reality of a lost loved one. The fatal were almost twice as likely to drown and inspections of pools and spas in
drowning rate stands out for being compared to those in metropolitan Victoria. This has been underpinned by
the highest in 14 years; 38% higher Melbourne. a significant body of work undertaken
than last year and a 29% increase In response to this year’s drowning toll, by LSV and the aquatic industry in the
on the 10-year average. the Victorian Minister for Police and past few years advocating for stronger
The year also saw an above average Emergency Services is leading a Water measures to curb the drowning toll in
number of overall drowning incidents, Safety Round Table, looking at short, backyard pools.
with 157 incidents, including 56 fatal intermediate and long-term solutions to This year we’ve also welcomed the
and 101 non-fatal drownings. Children tackle drowning in Victoria. continued focus of the Victorian
aged 0-4 years had the highest hospital It is important to acknowledge that Government on water safety education
admission rate. since the start of the Play it Safe By within multicultural communities, which
the Water (PISBTW) campaign in the research tells us is an ongoing area
By any yardstick these are sobering
1998, there has been a 43% decrease of focus for the growing demographic.
statistics, which bring into sharp focus
in the fatal drowning rate in Victoria. This year we saw a 60% increase
the ever-increasing need for water
Of particular note, there has been in the number of people from CALD
safety education among the growing
a 79% decrease in the drowning backgrounds taking part in LSV’s
number of people using Victoria’s
rate of children aged 0-4 years over water safety programs compared to
aquatic environments.
this period. This highlights the key the previous five years, with more than
Some of the trends in 2018/19 include: advancements – including changes in 20,000 participants benefitting from
29% increase on the fatal drowning
A pool fencing legislation and multiple these programs.
rate per 100,000 persons compared child supervision campaigns – that have Every drowning death is one too many
to the 10-year average. been made since PISBTW’s inception, and, as we well know from the troubling
notwithstanding the steps we must increase to the drowning toll this year,
ales continue to be overrepresented
M
continue to take to reduce the drowning more needs to be done to address
in the drowning statistics and are four
rate further. emerging trends and risk factors. With this
times more likely to drown than females.
Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is once again in mind, I invite you to review the findings
eople aged 65 years and above
P
working together with the Victorian in this report and consider the benefits of
have the highest age-specific fatal
Government and the aquatic industry a shared dialogue that seeks to enhance
drowning rate.
through the PISBTW working group to the safety of all Victorians in and around
18% of drowning deaths in 2018/19 ensure that all Victorians are aware of the water into 2020 and beyond.
were of people from culturally water safety issues in the lead up to and
and linguistically diverse (CALD) during this year’s summer season. This
communities. includes launching a new hard-hitting,
rowning in inland and coastal
D research-guided public awareness
waterways continues to increase, campaign focused on water safety
messages targeting key at-risk groups Dr Nigel Taylor ESM
with 49% and 46% increases,
for drowning deaths – especially men CEO
respectively, in 2018/19 compared
to the 10-year average. aged 25-64.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 3
Summary Drowning Statistics
Fatal Drowning in 2018/19
34 37 32
37 37 45
37 43 45
0.85 40 56
Crude fatal
drowning rate per
56 100,000 29% $274m
Drowning persons Increase on the 10 year Direct cost
deaths average drowning rate of lives lost
80%
Male
20%
Female
Location (Fatal)
41% 38%
Bay/beach/ Lakes/dams/
ocean rivers/creeks
Activity (Fatal)
21% 14% 16%
Walking/playing Swimming/ Involved alcohol
near water paddling/wading or illegal drugs
Key Fatal Drowning Statistics in 2018/19
71% 46%
Increase
in drowning
deaths in coastal
Increase in waterways*
drowning rate of
people aged 65
years and over*
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 4
Non-fatal Drowning in 2018/19
1.57
Crude non-fatal
drowning rate per
100,000 101
persons Non-fatal drowning incidents
attended by paramedics
65%
Male
35%
Female
Location (Non-fatal)
22%
Residential
47% 33%
pools
Pools 25% Bay/beach/
Public ocean
pools
Activity (Non-fatal)
60% 11%
Swimming/ Bathing
paddling/wading
Key Fatal Drowning Statistics in 2018/19
69%
18%
Of drowning
Increase in fatal deaths were
drownings of people people
who were walking or from CALD
playing near water* communities
*Compared to the 10-year average (2008/09 to 2017/18)
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 5
Our Performance
Every day, visitors to Victoria’s 811 kilometres of ocean beaches, 259 kilometres of
bay beaches, 85,000 kilometres of rivers, 13,000 natural wetlands and 450 public and
commercial swimming pools, engage in a wide variety of recreational aquatic activities
(Short, 1996; DSE, 2011; VAIC, 2001). Our prevention efforts span this setting.
Reduce Drowning Services
Reduce the Victorian drowning rate Expand to meet public need/ sustainability/
membership development, growth and support
56
Drowning deaths in Victoria in 2018/19.
630
Rescues by lifesavers and lifeguards on patrolled
This is 17 more than the 10-year average. beaches on average per year from 2008/09 to 2017/18.
0.85
Crude fatal drowning rate per 100,000 persons in Victoria
25.2
Rescues per 100,000 beachgoers on average per year
in 2018/19; a 29% increase compared to the 10-year average. from 2008/09 to 2017/18.
101
Non-fatal drowning incidents attended by paramedics
1,928
First Aid assistance by lifesavers and lifeguards on patrolled
in 2018/19. This represents a crude non-fatal drowning rate beaches on average per year from 2008/09 to 2017/18.
of 1.57 per 100,000 persons in Victoria in 2018/19.
43 %
Decrease in the fatal drowning rate in Victoria since the start
35,383
Volunteer members in 2018/19, patrolling our open waterways
of the Play it Safe by the Water (PISBTW) campaign in 1998 and providing education and training in lifesaving activities,
(baseline is the 3-year average 1996/97 to 1998/99 compared to ensure the safety of Victoria’s waterway users.
to the follow-up 2016/17 to 2018/19 average).
$274m
Direct cost to society of lives lost (where the value
$235m
Total estimated value of coastal services
of a statistical life is estimated at $4.9 million; in Victoria per year (PWC, 2011).
Office of Best Practice Regulation, 2019).
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 6
Education & Training Risk & Research
Continue development to ensure efficiency Striving for excellence in evidence-based practice
and expansion of delivery
182,662
Participants took part in water safety education statewide in
143
Children aged 10-12 years participated in a study to determine
2018/19; a 3.5% reduction compared to the 5-year average their level of water safety knowledge following a YMCA
(2013/14 to 2017/18). pool-based swimming and water safety program, plus a half-day
LSV Open Water Learning Experience, with demonstrated
increases in water safety knowledge (Matthews et al., 2018).
22,000
Culturally and linguistically diverse participants took part
38,111
Lifesaving services analysed across 66 Victorian sites during a
in LSV programs in 2018/19; a 60% increase compared 10-year period. LSV partnered with the Bureau of Meteorology,
to the 5-year average (2013/14 to 2017/18). as part of a project to develop an active weather warning
system for Victorian beachgoers.
21,606
People trained in CPR or other First Aid related
88 %
Average water safety knowledge score by student participants
courses in 2018/19. (n=23) in a pilot study for the delivery of virtual reality using the
online platform, Google Expeditions, which allows a ‘guide’
to lead classroom-sized groups of ‘explorers’ through collections
of 360-degree panoramas (Strugnell et al., 2019).
7,845
Participants in accredited aquatic safety training
161
Assessments conducted by LSV. Pool safety assessments
courses in 2018/19. of 108 aquatic centres measured performance against best
practice standards, and 53 beach risk assessments were
conducted within coastal drowning blackspot areas.
187
Aquatic facilities are registered Watch Around Water facilities
38 %
Of council-owned aquatic facilities have not completed
in 2018/19. This represents an estimated 65% of aquatic a pool safety assessment in the past three years.
facilities in Victoria.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 7
Our Performance
The following maps highlight the service provision that LSV directs to different areas
of Victoria based on the relative risk of drowning by i) place of incident and ii) place of
residence. Relative risk of drowning by place of incident is utilised to direct, for example,
risk assessment prioritisation, lifesaving service provision, and public awareness raising
for residents and local and international tourists. Relative risk of drowning by place of
residence is utilised to direct the provision of activities such as education program delivery
and further public awareness raising.
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Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes
The following table outlines Victoria’s progress against the Victorian Water Safety Strategy 2016-2020 and
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2016-2020 with respect to fatal drowning incidents. Whilst the overall drowning
rate has decreased by 11% from baseline, this is well short of the target of a 50% reduction in drowning by 2020.
BASELINE FOLLOW-UP
Priority Areas (3-YEAR
AVERAGE
(3-YEAR
AVERAGE DIFFERENCE
and Goals 2004/05 TO
2006/07)
(2015/16 TO
2017/18)
BASELINE TO
FOLLOW-UP PROGRESS
Rate Rate
Priority Area One: (per 100,000 (per 100,000
Taking a Life Stages Approach population) population) %
1. Reduce drowning
in children Work
0-4 years 1.057 0.656 -38%
aged 0-14 years needed
5-14
0.615 0.129 -79% On track
years
2. Reduce drowning
in young people Work
0.712 0.666 -6%
aged 15-24 years needed
3. R
educe drowning
in males 25-44 Work
1.494 1.108 -26%
aged 25-64 years years needed
Urgent
45-64
1.097 1.252 14% work
years
needed
4. Reduce drowning Urgent
in people aged 65+ 1.134 1.194 33% work
needed
Priority Area Two:
Frequency Frequency %
Targeting High-Risk Locations
Reduce drowning
5. Urgent
in inland waterways 16 18 15% work
needed
6. Reduce drowning Urgent
in coastal waters 14 20 46% work
needed
7. R
educe drowning by strengthening
the aquatic industry* 0 0 0% On track
Priority Area Three:
Frequency Frequency %
Focusing on Key Drowning Challenges
8. Reduce alcohol-
and drug-related drowning† Work
13 9 -33%
needed
Reduce boating, watercraft
9. Urgent
and recreational activity-related 9 11 19% work
drowning** needed
10. R
educe drowning Urgent
in high-risk populations*** 8 10 30% work
needed
11. R
educe the impact of disaster
and extreme weather on drowning 1 1 0% On track
* Figures include drowning deaths at public swimming pools.
** Includes boats and watercraft, rock fishing, fishing and diving.
*** Includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, international tourists and
international students. Statistics are primarily determined from Country of Birth data.
† Toxicology reports to confirm alcohol and/or drug involvement are available only once a case is closed therefore numbers may change once cases are closed.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 9
Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes – Key Success
79decrease in the
drowning rate
of children
aged 0-4 years
%
since 1998.
Play it Safe by the Water is a conducted with a random sample of promotion and programs through
statewide public water safety 400-600 Victorians on each occasion. maternal and child health networks.
education and awareness program, Data were collected on drownings in
Whilst direct impact of public
a component of which includes Victoria from 1996/97 to 2017/18.
awareness campaigns is difficult to
public awareness raising through
measure, results indicate a significant
a multi-media campaign. Research KEY FINDINGS
impact on drowning for young
was conducted to determine the
Since inception of the PISBTW children. It also reinforces the need
impact of the PISBTW campaign on
campaign the unintentional drowning for awareness raising, practical
water safety message recall and the
rate in Victoria decreased by 46% interventions, legislation and
drowning rate in Victoria (Matthews
(from 1.27/100,000 at baseline enforcement to generate long-term
et al., 2018).
3-year average 1996/97-1998/99 behavioural change.
to 0.68/100,000 at follow-up 3-year
IMPLEMENTATION Ongoing measurement of campaign
average 2015/16-2017/18). Shifts
impact has enabled continual update
Target audiences varied depending on in the drowning rate particularly in
of the campaign to ensure the most
drowning trends. Because children aged children aged 0-4 years were identified,
appropriate messages are delivered
0-4 years had the highest age-specific with a 79% decrease in the drowning
to the most appropriate audience.
drowning rate, a consistent focus was rate from baseline to follow-up. Baseline
prevention of drowning of this age recall was 41%, and the highest PISBTW provides an example
group, targeting parents and carers. proportion of recall of any water safety of a multi-focussed, multi-
Additional work focussed on policy and advertising by Victorian respondents sectoral approach to drowning
legislation change, particularly regarding was 77%. prevention and the way in which
home pool barriers.
Key achievements by the PISBTW epidemiological drowning data
Public awareness and attitudes to water group, currently comprising 20 is utilised to inform the direction
safety advertising were assessed organisations, include: changes for future drowning prevention
pre- and post-campaign across in home pool barrier standards and strategies.
campaign seasons from 2004-2017. legislation along with key public
Telephone and/or online surveys were awareness campaigns and targeted
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 10CHILDREN 0-4 YEARS DROWNING RATE 1997/98-2017/18
AND KEY PISBTW ACTIVITIES AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS
Fatal drowning rate per 100,000 population
6
5.6 1997/98 2000/01 2002/03 2007/08 2010/11 2014/15
PISBTW Swimming Retrospective pool ‘Always Isolation Refresh ‘20
5.2 campaign pool & spa fencing legislation Watch Them fencing Seconds is
4.8 start committee + penalties for Around Water’ regulations all it takes…’
formed non-compliance campaign campaign
4.4
4.0 2001/02 2003/04 2010/11 2016/17
Building Launch '20 seconds is Launch
3.6 permit. ‘Who’s looking all it takes for a ‘Ten to
Pools & out for you?’ toddler to drown' One’
3.2 spas campaign campaign campaign
2.8
2018
2.4 Legislation
passes: Pool
2.0 register &
1.6 compliance
regime
1.2
0.8
0.4
0
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 11Who is Drowning?
77 %
increase
in the
drowning
rate of
people aged
15-24 years.
There were a total of 157 drowning highest rate of drowning of all age A total of 706 males were admitted
incidents in Victoria in 2018/19, groups. There was a 51% increase in to hospital for non-fatal drowning,
comprising 56 drowning deaths the fatal drowning rate of those aged an average of 71 (71%) hospital
and 101 non-fatal incidents 45-64 years (1.04 per 100,000 admissions per year.
attended by paramedics. People population). This is the second highest
Children aged 0-4 years had the highest
aged 65 years and above had the drowning rate of any age group.
rates of admission, with 6.01 per 100,000
highest age-specific fatal drowning There was also a 77% increase in the
population annually, followed by those
rate in 2018/19. However, children drowning rate of young people aged
aged 15-24 years (2.23 per 100,000
aged 0-4 have the greatest overall 15-24 years. As in 2017/18, there was
population) and those in the 5-14 year
risk of drowning with the highest a decrease in the fatal drowning rate of
age group (1.80 per 100,000 population).
age-specific combined rate of children aged 0-4 years and 5-14 years.
Those aged 65 years and above
fatal and non-fatal drowning.
presented the lowest rate of admission
NON-FATAL INCIDENTS
at 0.96 per 100,000 population.
DEATHS
There were 101 non-fatal drowning
The 56 drowning deaths in 2018/19 incidents attended by paramedics in Emergency Department (ED)
represent a 45% increase (17 deaths) 2018/19. This represents a crude Presentations, 2008/09 to 2017/18
compared to the 10-year average. The non-fatal drowning rate of 1.57 per
There were 901 ED presentations in the
crude fatal drowning rate was 0.85 per 100,000 persons in 2018/19.
10-year period from 2008/09 to 2017/18,
100,000 persons in 2018/19, this is a
One third of non-fatal incidents involved an average of 90 ED presentations for
29% increase compared to the 10-year
children aged 0-4 years. non-fatal drowning annually. The average
average (0.66 per 100,000 persons).
annual rate of ED presentations was
Of the 56 drowning deaths in Victoria in Admissions, 2008/09 to 2017/18 1.52 per 100,000 persons per year.
2018/19, 45 (80%) were male. Males are Children aged 0-4 years had by far the
Over the previous decade there were
consistently overrepresented in drowning highest rate of ED presentations, with
1,001 hospital admissions, an average
statistics. Overall, they are four times 10.25 per 100,000 population annually.
of 100 admissions for non-fatal
more likely to drown than females. This was followed by those aged 5-14
drowning per year. The annual crude
years (2.24 per 100,000 population)
Sixteen adults aged 65 years and above hospital admissions rate was 1.70 per
and those in the 15-24 year age group
died as a result of drowning this year in 100,000 persons per year. The rate of
(1.33 per 100,000 population).
Victoria with a drowning rate of 1.62 per admissions remained largely similar over
100,000 population. This is a 71% the 5-year period from 2012/13 to The majority of the 901 ED presentations
increase compared with the 10-year 2016/17, with an increase to 2.24 in were males (587, 65%). Similar to
average and places this group at the 2017/18. hospital admissions, ED presentations
decreased with increasing age.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 12DROWNING DEATHS AND DROWNING RATE
2008/09 TO 2018/19
Rate (number of deaths per 100,000 population) Number of deaths per year
1.0 100
0.8 80
0.6 60
56
0.4 45 45 40
43
40
37 37 37 37
34
32
0.2 20
0.0 0
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
FREQUENCY OF FATAL FATAL DROWNING RATE HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND
DROWNING IN VICTORIA BY SEX, PER 100,000 PERSONS IN VICTORIA EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
2008/09 TO 2018/19 BY AGE, 2008/09 TO 2018/19 (ED) PRESENTATIONS RATE PER
100,000 PERSONS IN VICTORIA,
2008/09 TO 2017/18
Males 2008/09-2017/18 Hospital admissions
Females 2018/19 ED presentations
60 2.0 2.5
50
1.6 2.0
40
1.2 1.5
30
0.8 1.0
20
0.4 0.5
10
0 0.00 0.0
0-4
5-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65+
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 1318 %
Who is Drowning?
of drowning deaths
in 2018/19 were of
people from CALD
communities.
CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC The majority were males (86%), and the
PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING
DIVERSITY most common age groups were 25-44 BY OVERSEAS COUNTRY OF BIRTH
years (46%) followed by 15-24 years 2008/09 – 2018/19
This year 10 (18%) individuals that
(21%); the median age was 31 years.
drowned were reported as being from
Incidents typically occurred in open
culturally and linguistically diverse
waterways; with 44% at beaches and 35%
(CALD) communities. This is one more
21% in rivers/creeks/streams.
than the 10-year average of nine. 30%
The most common activity prior to
Due to limitations with country of birth
coastal drowning incidents was 25%
data collected, data has also been
swimming (46%), followed by fishing
analysed over the previous 10-year
(35%). Of those fishing this included 20%
period from 2008/09-2017/18. On
fishing for abalone (typically snorkelling/
average, 23% of drowning deaths were
diving), rock fishing, or fishing from a 15%
of individuals known to have been born
boat. Deaths whilst fishing for abalone
overseas (with 57% unknown country
have increased since 2015. 10%
of birth).
The most common activities prior
Of those individuals where country of 5%
to inland drowning incidents were
birth was recorded, the majority (86%)
swimming (31%) and walking/ recreating
were Victorian residents. The median 0%
near water (31%), with 25% unknown.
length of time living in Australia was
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
six years. When swimming ability was recorded
the majority were noted to be weak
or non-swimmers, followed by average
or fair with very few good or reasonable
swimmers.
Individuals from a CALD background
are recognised as those who identify
as ‘having a specific cultural or linguistic
affiliation by virtue of their place of
birth, ancestry, ethnic origin, religion,
preferred language, language(s) spoken
at home, or because of their parents’
identification on a similar basis’
(DHSMSU, 2002).
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 1486
of individuals from a
CALD background who
%
drowned over the previous
10 years were male.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 15When, Where, What
Drowning
Relative risk of drowning by incident location
Incident Location
2008/09 - 2012/13
by incident
location
from 2008/09
to 2017/18
These maps outline the relative risk of
drowning based on incident location
counts within Victorian postcodes and
then smoothed across the state. Dark
red areas are areas of greater risk
while lighter red areas indicate areas
Lower risk of lower risk. The relative risk values
also take into consideration postcode
population densities.
Higher risk The relative risk maps are provided
as a three-part map series. The first
two maps illustrate incident ratios
based on two comparative 5 year
Incident Location timeframes: 2008/09 to 2012/2013
2013/14 - 2017/18 and 2013/14 to 2017/18. The third
map combines the incident data
for these two timeframes providing
a 10 year (2008/09 to 2017/18)
comparative summary.
Lower risk
Higher risk
Incident Location
2008/09 - 2017/18
Lower risk
Higher risk
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 16Drowning
Relative risk of drowning by place of residence
Resident Location
2008/09 - 2012/13
by place of
residence
from 2008/09
to 2017/18
The below relative risk maps are
similar to incident location maps
except they are based on place of
residence of the person, at the time
of the drowning event. They outline
the relative risk of drowning based
Lower risk on place of residence counts and
population density within each
postcode area. Dark red areas are
areas of greater risk while lighter red
Higher risk
areas indicate areas of lower risk.
The relative risk maps are provided as
a three-part map series. The first two
Resident Location maps illustrate resident ratios based
2013/14 - 2017/18 on two comparative 5 year timeframes:
2008/09 to 2012/2013 and 2013/14 to
2017/18. The third map combines the
resident data for these two timeframes
providing a 10 year (2008/09 to
2017/18) comparative summary.
Lower risk
Higher risk
Resident Location
2008/09 - 2017/18
Lower risk
Higher risk
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 17When, Where, What
WHEN DID THEY DROWN?
PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING
BY MONTH 2008/09 – 2018/19
Month and Season
Almost half (46%, 26) of the drowning 2008/09-2017/18
2018/19
deaths occurred in the summer months in 25%
2018/19. This is a 59% increase
compared to the five-year average
(2013/14 to 2017/18) and is the highest 20%
crude number recorded in over twenty
years, since 1997/98. Autumn
represented the second largest number 15%
of drowning deaths, with 12 (21%), which
is also a 58% increase on the five-year
10%
average. Winter and spring saw a
decrease in drowning deaths in 2018/19.
These figures may reflect warmer than 5%
average temperatures, with Victoria
experiencing its warmest summer on
record (Bureau of Meteorology, 2019a) 0%
and eighth warmest autumn on record
(Bureau of Meteorology, 2019b). July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
In the previous decade the majority of
drowning deaths occurred in summer
(37%), followed by spring (24%),
autumn (21%), and winter (18%). PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING
There were increases in drowning BY REMOTEANESS AREA OF INCIDENT BY SEASON
deaths in December in 2018/19 when IN VICTORIA, 2008/09 – 2018/19
compared with the 10-year average,
with almost one-quarter (13, 23%) 2008/09-2012/13 2013/14-2017/19 2018/19 Summer Winter
occurring in December. Autumn Spring
60%
Similar to fatal drowning, non-fatal
drowning incidents were far more 50% 20%
common in summer (46, 45%). This
was followed by spring (22, 22%), 40%
autumn (20, 20%), and winter (13, 13%).
46%
30%
WHERE DID THEY DROWN? 13%
20%
Region
This year, 55% (31) of drowning deaths 10%
occurred in major cities in Victoria, this
is a 10% increase when compared with 0% 21%
the 10-year average from 2008/09 to
Major
Cities
Inner
Regional
Outer
Regional
Remote
2017/18.
When accounting for the differences
in the distribution of the residential Waterways FREQUENCY OF FATAL DROWNING
population, the drowning rate increased
In 2018/19, 41% (23) of all drowning PER YEAR BY BODY OF WATER
for those residing in metropolitan
deaths occurred in coastal environments 2008/09 – 2018/19
Melbourne and regional areas in
Victoria. There was a 17% increase (bay/beach/ocean), making it the most
2008/09-2017/18 2018/19
in the drowning rate of those residing common location for drowning. The
in metropolitan Melbourne this year deaths represent a 46% increase in 25
(0.64 per 100,000 population in drowning deaths in coastal waterways
2018/19) compared with the 10-year compared with the 10-year average 20
average (0.54 per 100,000 population. of 16.
Regional areas of Victoria saw a A further 38% of people drowned in 15
30% increase in the drowning rate inland waterways (18 in rivers/creeks/
(1.20 per 100,000 population in streams and lakes/dams), which is a 49%
2018/19) compared with the ten-year increase on the 10-year average of 13. 10
average (0.92 per 100,000 population).
One-third of non-fatal drowning
Unlike in 2017/18, where fatal drowning incidents in 2018/19 occurred in bay/ 5
rates were very similar (0.53 per beach/ocean environments, (33, 33%).
100,000 population), those residing A further 25% (25) occurred in public
0
in regional areas were almost twice swimming pools. Other common
as likely to drown compared to those waterways for non-fatal incidents were
Bath/
Spa Bath
Private/
Home Pool
Public
Swimming Pool
Bay/Beach/
Ocean
River/Creek/
Stream
Lake/Dam
Other
in metropolitan Melbourne in 2018/19. private/home pools (22%), and bath/
spa baths (11%).
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 1846 %
increase in drowning deaths
in coastal waterways.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 1969 %
When, Where, What
increase in
those walking
or playing
near water
prior to the
drowning
incident.
WHAT WERE THEY DOING?
FREQUENCY OF FATAL DROWNING PER YEAR
BY ACTIVITY 2008/09 – 2018/19
Activity
2008/09-2017/18
The most common activity immediately 12 2018/19
prior to a fatal drowning in 2018/19 was
walking/playing near water (12, 21%),
10
followed by swimming/paddling/wading
(8, 14%), and boating/fishing from a
boat (6, 11%) 8
There was a 69% increase in those that
fatally drowned whilst walking/playing 6
near water in 2018/19 compared to the
10-year average from 2008/09 to 4
2017/18 (7, 18%). By far the greatest
proportion of non-fatal drowning 2
incidents involved those swimming/
paddling/wading (61, 60%). These
0
figures again highlight the importance of
children learning swimming and water
Boating/
Fishing from
a boat
Rock Fishing
Other Fishing
Diving/
Skin Diving
Craft Riding
Walking/
Playing
Near Water
Attempting
a Rescue
Swimming,
Paddling
or Wading
Bathing/
Having a
Spa Bath
Transport
(for work/
for recreation)
Other/
Unknown
safety in the school curriculum.
Additionally, 11 non-fatal incidents
occurred while bathing/having a spa
Unintentional water entry
bath (11%), indicating that bath tubs
remain a risk factor for drowning.
Unintentional water entry (including
slips/trips/falls and some attempted
(including slips/trips/falls
rescues) accounted for 46% (26) and some attempted rescues)
accounted for 46% (26) of fatal
of fatal drowning incidents this year.
This is double that of the past decade
with an average of 13 (33%) per year
from 2008/09 to 2017/18. drowning incidents this year.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 2073 %
Risk Factors
of people that
drowned in boating
incidents over
the past decade
were not wearing
a lifejacket.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS LACK OF LIFEJACKET USE
LIFEJACKET WEAR WHEN BOATING
There were 9 drowning deaths in The lack of a lifejacket has potentially 2008/09-2017/18
2018/19 in which alcohol and/or illegal claimed many lives in Victoria. Of the
drugs were reportedly consumed 56 boating-related drowning deaths Not worn
by the individual prior to drowning, over the past decade (2008/09 to Not worn correctly/inappropriate
type for the conditions
representing 16% of the total number 2017/18), lifejacket usage was known Worn correctly
of drowning incidents. This is one more in 44 cases. Of these 44, in 32 (73%)
than the average per year over the past incidents the deceased was not
decade of 8, which represents 27% wearing a lifejacket at the time. 5 (11%)
of total drowning deaths. A further 7 (16%) had an incorrectly
fitted lifejacket or wore the incorrect
The consumption of alcohol and/or type recommended for the conditions.
illegal drugs prior to recreating in, on or
around water increases the risk of Wearing a lifejacket when rock fishing 7 (16%)
drowning because they can impair could also have saved another 6 lives
16
judgment, slow reaction times, affect over the past decade with all those
coordination and promote risk-taking individuals that drowned while rock
behaviour. Prescription medications can fishing not wearing a lifejacket. 32 (73%)
also increase the risk of drowning as
%
they can heighten the risk of falls and
affect reaction times.
of lives lost in 2018/19 involved alcohol
and/or illegal drug use prior to drowning.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 21Coronial Recommendations
The role of the coroner in Victoria
is to investigate reportable deaths,
which include drowning, in order
to determine the identity of the
person who died, the cause of
the death and, in some situations,
the circumstances surrounding
the death. As part of this process
the coroner may recommend ways
to help prevent similar deaths
in the future.
The following is a summary of
two coronial findings in 2018/19
where recommendations were
made relating to drowning deaths.
Note, they are not exact replications
from the findings; these should be
accessed from the Coroners Court
of Victoria website:
http://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/
home/coroners+written+findings/
2017
Desmond Watson, aged 65 years, died as a result of neck trauma and severe heart disease in the setting of
immersion, at Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula. Mr. Watson was competing in the Victorian
State Kneeboard Titles when he caught a powerful wave, his board flew vertically up in the air before a wave
closed over it. He was seen floating with the board but did not get up. It was undetermined as to whether
he suffered a heart attack or was hit by his board, or a combination of both. Conditions were described as
challenging, with approximately 20-25 kilometre per hour northerly winds and waves approximately four to six
foot high. In-water CPR was performed with difficulty due to the swell, before efforts were relocated to the shore
where he could not be revived. Mr. Watson was an experienced kneeboarder and was reportedly confident and
capable in the conditions but had a history of high blood pressure and back injuries.
Recommendation
That Kneeboard Surfing Victoria should conduct a risk assessment prior to the commencement of each day before an event to
take into consideration the location, weather, wind and surf conditions, and any other relevant conditions on the day of an event.
2018
Graham Hill, aged 51 years, drowned whilst out fishing on his boat, in Port Phillip Bay near Frankston. It was
a warm summer morning and ideal sea conditions for small boating. The boat carried all the required safety
equipment. Lifejackets were on board and stored under the helm. The boat flooded with water and as his
partner attempted to get the lifejackets, the boat capsized, and the couple was thrown into the water. After
approximately 60 minutes in the water the couple were assisted by a passer-by. Mr. Hill’s partner survived;
however, he was unable to be resuscitated. According to the coroner, had Mr. Hill been wearing a lifejacket,
his death may have been prevented.
Recommendations
1. That Transport Safety Victoria consider introducing requirements that: (a) all boats be fitted with a manual or electrical
pumping mechanism to all bilge areas; and (b) when scuppers are fitted to a vessel, ensure that scuppers can be closed
shut from within the vessel when they are fitted to a vessel.
2. That Transport Safety Victoria continue to explore potential models for a non-commercial vessel seaworthy inspection
and certificate regime as a means to ensuring the seaworthiness of vessels at points of registration, transfer of ownership,
and after a modification of the vessel.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 2219
Snapshot
Victorians
drowned in the
Murray River
over the previous
decade.
Murray River Drowning
2008/09 To 2018/19
The Murray River has been identified The majority of incidents occurred on a
as the number one river drowning weekday (15, 79%), and in summer (8,
blackspot in Australia (Peden & 42%) or spring (5, 26%). The most
Queiroga, 2014). At 2,508 km, the common activity just prior to drowning
Murray River is Australia’s longest was swimming (7, 37%). Other activities
47
river. It forms a majority of the border included boating, kayaking, water-
length between Victoria and New skiing, driving and recreating on a
South Wales and stretches down houseboat. In 9 (47%) of the drowning
into South Australia. Due to state deaths the person had reportedly
%
government legislation, drowning consumed alcohol prior to the incident.
incidents that occur in the Murray
River are under New South Wales
jurisdiction and are therefore
reported in New South Wales
drowning. However, many of the
drowning victims resided in Victoria.
Therefore, the key trends of
Victorians drowning in the Murray
River are a focus for this report.
Two Victorians drowned in the Murray
River in 2018/19. Over the previous
decade, 44 Australians drowned in
the Murray River including 19
Victorians, an average of two per year
over the previous decade. Of the 19, of Victorians that drowned
the majority, 15 (79%) were males,
the most common age groups were
in the Murray River had
25-44 years (5, 26%) and 55-64 years reportedly consumed alcohol
(4, 21%), and 2 (11%) were reported
as being from CALD communities. prior to the incident.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 2348
Snapshot
individual beaches
risk assessed
(70 km of coastline)
in Bass Coast Shire.
Coastal BASS COAST SURF COAST
Blackspot
A coastal risk assessment including 48 The Surf Coast Shire VISIT (Victorian
beaches (70 km of coastline) in Bass Information on Safety Initiative for
Projects
Coast Shire was conducted and a Tourists) project included research into
detailed signage strategy was produced how best to integrate key water safety
in line with international signage and drowning prevention messaging
In order to address drowning and standards. This project also outlined effectively into the tourism sector. LSV’s
aquatic-related injury in concentrated additional multifactorial treatment Risk and Research team surveyed 750
areas along Victoria’s coastline,
options such as pre-arrival public beach visitors across 10 beaches to
LSV has conducted projects in key
blackspot drowning locations as awareness raising methods and safety identify who is visiting the area, why and
part of the Surf Life Saving Australia instruction, to guide land managers in where they source information on their
(SLSA) Beach Drowning Black Spot order to remove Bass Coast Shire from visit. Sixty-eight local businesses and
Reduction Program, thanks to federal the national drowning blackspot list. tourism operators were engaged
government funding. to identify possible relationships to
MORNINGTON PENINSULA promote beach safety to visitors.
Since 2016, projects have been
conducted in three key blackspot From this, QR codes linking visitors
Surveys of 437 visitors on Mornington
drowning locations: Bass Coast Shire, Peninsula beaches and 620 online to beach-specific safety information,
Mornington Peninsula Shire, and Surf respondents provided insights to gain a local businesses and points of interest
Coast Shire. were trialled at five Surf Coast beaches
better understanding of the behavioural
in 2019.
The intention of these projects was and attitudinal characteristics of beach
to improve water safety for residents goers on the Mornington Peninsula. In addition, LSV’s Risk and Research
and visitors to these regions and In addition, site assessments of 100 team evaluated the impact of a
ultimately reduce the drowning rate beach areas (including The Pillars in multifaceted water safety campaign
within these areas. Mount Martha) were conducted to at Eastern Beach in Geelong during
propose a shire-wide signage strategy, the 2016/17 summer. The campaign
taking into account beach goer engaged 1,070 beach patrons,
perceptions. particularly children aged 5-14 years
and their parents/carers to provide
Multicultural messaging around beach
education on key water safety
safety and parent/carer supervision was
messages. Additionally, over 250 beach
developed and collateral produced for
goers were reached via discussions
tourists visiting the Mornington
with lifesavers around the dangers of
Peninsula as part of the project.
partaking in high-risk activities around
water, including alcohol consumption
and pier jumping.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 24750
Surf Coast beach visitors
surveyed by LSV’s Risk
and Research team across
10 beaches to identify who
is visiting the area, why and
where they source information
on their visit.
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 25Drowning Profiles
By Victorian Statistical Areas 2008/09 to 2017/18
North West
Shepparton
Bendigo
Hume
Melbourne
Inner East
Ballarat
Latrobe-Gippsland
Geelong
Warrnambool
and South West
Melbourne Melbourne
West North East
Melbourne Mornington Melbourne
North West Peninsula Outer East
Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne
Inner Inner South South East
Ballarat
9
Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
20 Ballarat SA4 residents
hospitalised due to
non-fatal drowning
21
Emergency Department
presentations of Ballarat
Drowning
8
SA4 residents for non-
Deaths fatal drowning
Ballarat
59%
Likelihood of one or
more drowning deaths
occurring in Ballarat
SA4 in any given year
Ballarat
SA4
55%
Likelihood of one
Residents or more residents of
Drowned Ballarat SA4 drowning
in Victoria in any given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Lakes
Males
40%
Other inland (dams, rivers/
creeks/streams)
were
30% Bathtubs/spa baths
2.0 times
20%
more likely
10%
Bathing
to drown
Walking/recreating
near water
than
females.
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Transport
(for work/recreation)
Ballarat SA4 Population Ballarat SA4 Drowning
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 26Bendigo Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
7 33 Bendigo SA4 residents
hospitalised due to
non-fatal drowning
15
Emergency Department
presentations of Bendigo
Drowning Bendigo
3
SA4 residents for
Deaths non-fatal drowning
50%
Likelihood of one or
more drowning deaths
occurring in Bendigo
SA4 in any given year
Bendigo
SA4
26%
Likelihood of one
Residents or more residents of
Drowned Bendigo SA4 drowning
in Victoria in any given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Dams
Males
30%
Lakes, rivers/
creeks/streams
were
Home swimming pools
7.0 times
20%
more
10%
Walking/recreating
near water likely to
Boating/fishing drown
than
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Transport
(for work/recreation)
females.
Bendigo SA4 Population Bendigo SA4 Drowning
Geelong Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
80
29
Geelong SA4 residents
hospitalised due to
non-fatal drowning
50
Emergency Department
presentations of Geelong
Drowning SA4 residents for
Deaths non-fatal drowning Geelong
94%
Likelihood of one or
more drowning deaths
24
occurring in Geelong
SA4 in any given year
Geelong
SA4
91%
Likelihood of one
Residents or more residents of
Drowned Geelong SA4 drowning
in Victoria in any given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Beaches
Males
50%
Ocean were
40%
Dams, rivers/creeks/streams
1.9 times
30% more likely
20% Swimming/attempting
a rescue to drown
10%
Walking/recreating
near water
than
females.
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Diving
(SCUBA/snorkelling)
Geelong SA4 Population Geelong SA4 Drowning
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 27Drowning Profiles
By Victorian Statistical Areas 2008/09 to 2017/18 Hume Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
24
Hume SA4 residents
27
hospitalised
due to non-fatal
drowning
27
Emergency Department
presentations of Hume
Drowning SA4 residents for
Deaths non-fatal drowning
93%
Likelihood of one or
more drowning deaths
18
occurring in Hume Hume
SA4 in any given year
Hume SA4
83%
Likelihood of one or
Residents more residents of Hume
Drowned SA4 drowning in any
in Victoria given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Rivers/creeks/streams
Males
50%
Lakes/dams were
40%
Home swimming pools
3.3 times
30% more
20% Swimming/
paddling/wading likely to
10%
Boating drown
than
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Fishing
females.
Hume SA4 Population Hume SA4 Drowning
Latrobe-Gippsland Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
77
Latrobe-Gippsland SA4
55
residents hospitalised
due to non-fatal
drowning
54
Emergency Department
presentations of Latrobe-
Drowning Gippsland SA4 residents
Deaths for non-fatal drowning
Latrobe-Gippsland
99%
Likelihood of one or more
drowning deaths occurring
28
in Latrobe-Gippsland SA4
Latrobe- in any given year
Gippsland
SA4
94%
Likelihood of one or more
Residents residents of Latrobe-
Drowned Gippsland SA4 drowning
in Victoria in any given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Beaches
Males
40%
Ocean were
30% Rivers/creeks/streams
3.6 times
20%
more likely
10%
Swimming/
attempting a rescue to drown
Boating/fishing than
females.
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Walking near water/
rock walking
Latrobe-Gippsland SA4 Population Latrobe-Gippsland SA4 Drowning
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 28Inner, Inner East, Inner South, North East, North West, Outer East, South East, West
Melbourne Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
Melbourne Melbourne
North West North East
Melbourne Melbourne
West Outer East
Melbourne
Melbourne Inner East
Inner
Melbourne Melbourne
Inner South South East
DROWNING STATISTICS FOR ALL MELBOURNE SA4S
Emergency Likelihood of one Likelihood of one
Hospital department or more drowning or more residents
Drowning deaths admissions presentations deaths in any drowning in any
Statistical Area 4 Drowning deaths of residents of residents of residents given year given year
Melbourne – Inner 40 33 77 68 98% 96%
Melbourne – Inner East 11 19 63 54 67% 85%
Melbourne – Inner South 23 18 70 54 90% 83%
Melbourne – North East 12 21 47 52 70% 88%
Melbourne – North West 10 15 40 44 63% 78%
Melbourne – Outer East 16 35 66 63 80% 97%
Melbourne – South East 14 38 116 91 75% 98%
Melbourne – West 27 39 82 96 93% 98%
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Male : Female Drowning Ratio in Melbourne SA4s Rivers/creeks/streams
5.0
Beaches/ocean
4.0 Swimming pools
3.0 Bathtubs/spa baths
2.0 Walking/recreating near water
1.0 Swimming/
paddling/wading
0.0
Inner Inner Inner North North Outer South West Bathing
East South East West East East
PROPORTION OF DROWNING DEATHS AND POPULATION BY AGE GROUP (YEARS) FOR ALL MELBOURNE SA4S
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Statistical Area 4 Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning
Melbourne – Inner 5% 3% 7% 0% 16% 13% 42% 43% 20% 30% 11% 13%
Melbourne – Inner East 5% 0% 12% 18% 15% 0% 27% 18% 25% 9% 17% 55%
Melbourne – Inner South 6% 9% 12% 4% 12% 9% 27% 35% 26% 9% 16% 35%
Melbourne – North East 7% 23% 12% 8% 13% 38% 30% 15% 24% 0% 14% 15%
Melbourne – North West 8% 30% 13% 10% 13% 0% 30% 10% 23% 30% 13% 20%
Melbourne – Outer East 6% 13% 12% 13% 13% 19% 27% 19% 26% 19% 16% 19%
Melbourne – South East 7% 29% 13% 0% 15% 0% 30% 14% 22% 50% 13% 7%
Melbourne – West 8% 15% 13% 0% 13% 11% 33% 15% 22% 33% 10% 26%
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 29Drowning Profiles
By Victorian Statistical Areas 2008/09 to 2017/18 Mornington Peninsula Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
72
Mornington Peninsula
50
SA4 residents
hospitalised due to
non-fatal drowning
85
Emergency Department
presentations of Mornington
Drowning Peninsula SA4 residents
Deaths for non-fatal drowning
Mornington
Peninsula
99%
Likelihood of one or more
drowning deaths occurring
24
in Mornington Peninsula
Mornington SA4 in any given year
Peninsula
SA4
91%
Residents Likelihood of one or more
residents of Mornington
Drowned Peninsula SA4 drowning
in Victoria in any given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Beaches/rocky outcrops
Males
50%
Ocean were
40%
Home swimming pools
4.6 times
30% more
20% Swimming/
paddling/wading likely to
10%
Diving
(SCUBA/snorkelling)
drown
than
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Boating/fishing/rock fishing
females.
Mornington Peninsula SA4 Population Mornington Peninsula SA4 Drowning
North West Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
28
North West SA4
10
residents hospitalised
due to non-fatal
drowning
36
Emergency Department
presentations of North
Drowning West SA4 residents
Deaths for non-fatal drowning
North West
63%
Likelihood of one or
more drowning deaths
7
occurring in North West
SA4 in any given year
North
West SA4
50%
Likelihood of one or
Residents more residents of North
Drowned West SA4 drowning
in Victoria in any given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Lakes/dams/
irrigation channels Males
40%
Rivers/creeks/streams were
30% Home swimming pools
10.0 times
20%
more likely
10%
Swimming
to drown
Boating than
females.
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Transport
(for work/recreation)
North West SA4 Population North West SA4 Drowning
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 30Shepparton Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
34
12
Shepparton SA4 residents
hospitalised due to
non-fatal drowning
33
Emergency Department
presentations of
Drowning Shepparton SA4 residents
Deaths for non-fatal drowning
70%
Likelihood of one or
more drowning deaths
14
occurring in Shepparton
SA4 in any given year Shepparton
Shepparton
SA4
75%
Residents Likelihood of one or more
residents of Shepparton
Drowned SA4 drowning in any
in Victoria given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Bathtubs/spa baths
Males
40%
Lakes/dams/irrigation
channels
were
30% Rivers/creeks/streams
5.0 times
20%
more
10%
Bathing
likely to
Walking/recreating
near water
drown
than
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Swimming
females.
Shepparton SA4 Population Shepparton SA4 Drowning
Statistical Area 4 –
Warrnambool and South West Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18
21
Warrnambool and South
32
West SA4 residents
hospitalised due to
non-fatal drowning
16
Emergency Department
presentations of
Drowning Warrnambool and South
Deaths West SA4 residents
for non-fatal drowning
Warrnambool
96%
Likelihood of one or more and South West
drowning deaths occurring
22
Warrnam- in Warrnambool and South
bool and West SA4 in any given year
South
West SA4
89%
Likelihood of one or more
Residents residents of Warrnambool
Drowned and South West SA4
in Victoria drowning in any given year
DEMOGRAPHICS LOCATION AND ACTIVITY
Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years)
Ocean
Males
40%
Beaches were
30% Rivers/creeks/streams
9.7 times
20%
more likely
10%
Boating
to drown
Swimming/
attempting a rescue
than
females.
0%
0-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Walking/recreating
near water
Warrnambool & South West Warrnambool & South West
SA4 Population SA4 Drowning
Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 31Victorian Water Safety Industry
AGENCY GOVERNMENT ENTITIES LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
AND LAND MANAGERS
Life Saving Victoria Ambulance Victoria
Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Country Fire Authority Contributors to the
Australian Sailing Department of Education Victorian Paid Lifeguard Service
Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Training Barwon Coast Committee
Department of Environment, of Management INC
AUSTSWIM
Land, Water and Planning Bass Coast Shire Council
Belgravia Leisure
Department of Justice and Borough of Queenscliffe
Boating Industry Association
Community Safety Colac Otway Shire Council
Coroners Prevention Unit
Emergency Management Victoria Corangamite Shire Council
Dragon Boating Victoria
Emergency Services East Gippsland Shire Council
Kidsafe Victoria Telecommunications Authority Frankston City Council
Kiteboarding Australia Municipal Association of Victoria Glenelg Shire Council
Landscaping Victoria Parks Victoria Great Ocean Road Coast Committee
Outdoors Victoria Royal Children’s Hospital Greater Geelong City Council
Paddle Victoria Safety Centre Greater Geelong City Council –
Surfing Victoria Sport and Recreation Victoria Waterfront
Swimming Pool and Spa Transport Safety Victoria Hobsons Bay City Council
Association of Victoria Tourism Victoria Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Swimming Victoria Victoria Police Moyne Shire Council
Triathlon Victoria Victoria State Emergency Service Parks Victoria Wilsons Promontory
Victorian Municipal Building Victorian Building Authority National Park
Surveyors Group
Victorian Coastal Council Port Phillip City Council
Victorian Recreational Fishing
Victorian Fisheries Authority South Gippsland Shire Council
World Wide Swim School
Victorian Institute of Forensic Surf Coast Shire Council
YMCA Victoria Medicine Warrnambool City Council
Victorian Multicultural Commission Wellington Shire Council
REFERENCES
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016a). Census DataPacks.
https://datapacks.censusdata.abs.gov.au/datapacks/ (downloaded Aug 2019). Australian Bureau of Statistics: Canberra.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016b). Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 1 - Main Structure and
Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, July 2016 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.001). Australian Bureau of Statistics: Canberra.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019). Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2019. Cat. No. 3101.0, Australian Bureau
of Statistics: Canberra.
Australian Water Safety Council. (2016). Australian Water Safety Strategy 2016-20. Australian Water Safety Council: Sydney.
Bureau of Meteorology. (2019a). Victorian Seasonal Summary: Victoria in summer 2019. Retrieved from http://www.bom.
gov.au/climate/current/season/vic/archive/201902.summary.shtml
Bureau of Meteorology. (2019b). Victorian Seasonal Summary: Victoria in autumn 2019. Retrieved from http://www.bom.
gov.au/climate/current/season/vic/archive/201905.summary.shtml
Department of Human Services Multicultural Strategy Unit. (2002). Cited in Department of Human Services (2004),
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Strategy: Planning and Delivering Culturally Appropriate Supports for People with a
Disability, Their Families and Carers. Department of Human Services: Melbourne.
Department of Sustainability and Environment. (2011). My Victorian Waterway: Personal Connections with Rivers,
Estuaries and Wetlands in Victoria. Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment: Melbourne.
Matthews, B.L., Arch, J., and Shannon, P. (2018). Impact of a multi-sectoral injury prevention initiative: Play it Safe by the Water
1997-2007. Paper presented at the 13th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion: Bangkok, Thailand.
Office of Best Practice Regulation. (2019). Best Practice Regulation Guidance Note Value of statistical life. Department
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet: Canberra.
Peden, A., and Queiroga, A.C. (2014). Drowning deaths in Australian rivers, creeks and streams: A 10 year analysis.
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia: Sydney.
PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2011). What is the Economic Contribution of Surf Life Saving in Australia.
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited: Australia.
Short, A. (1996). Beaches of the Victorian Coast & Port Phillip Bay; A guide to their nature, characteristics, surf and safety.
University of NSW: Sydney.
Strugnell, G., Simpson, K., Birch, R., and Matthews, B. (2019). Virtual reality water safety education through Google Expeditions:
A pilot study for school students. Paper presented at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention: Durban, South Africa.
Victorian Aquatic Industry Council. (2001). Victorian Aquatic Industry Basic Facts: Strategic Advice 2001, Sport and
Recreation Victoria. Victorian Aquatic Industry Council: Melbourne.
Victorian Water Safety Assembly. (2016). Victorian Water Safety Strategy 2016-2020. Victorian Water Safety Assembly:
Melbourne.
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