A summary of coastal drowning
deaths in Australia
Surf Life Saving Australia
2013 NatioNal
Coastal safety
report
Introduction
...4
Coastal Drowning Deaths 2012-13: National Overview
...5
Case Study: Contributing Factors to Swimming and Wading Coastal Drowning Deaths
...6
Case Study: Boating Related Coastal Drowning Deaths, 2004-2013
...8
Queensland
...10
New South Wales
...12
Victoria
...14
South Australia
...16
Western Australia
...18
Case Study: Analysis of Non-Powered Watercraft Incidents, 2004-13
...20
Tasmania
...21
Case Study: Rocky Coast Drowning Deaths 2004-13
...22
Northern Territory
...23
Case Study: Age comparison 20-34 years vs. 55-69 years
...24
Glossary
...25
Why do people drown?
...27
Methodology
...28
References
...30
2012-13 National Drowning Snapshot
OVERALL
121 coastal drowning deaths; greater than the nine
year average of 95
0.53 coastal drowning death rate per 100,000 pop;
greater than the nine year average rate of 0.44 per
100,000 pop.
TIME
30 (25%) occurred between 2pm -5pm
77 (64%) occurred outside of the summer months
DEMOGRAPHICS
105 (87%) were males
40 (33%) were aged between 55-69 years
Individuals 65-69 had the highest drowning rate
of 1.37 per 100,000 population
44 (36%) were known to be of a foreign ethnicity
9 (7%) were international visitors
ACTIVITY
30 (25%) were swimming/wading
18 (15%) were boating
17 (14%) were rock fishing
14 (12%) were using watercraft
CONTRIBUTORY
FACTORS
18 (15%) were attributed to rip currents
24 (20%) were attributed to a medical condition or
injury
7 (6%) were attributed to alcohol and/or drug toxicity
LOCATION
64 (53%) occurred at a beach
34 (28%) of individuals lived more than 50km from the
drowning location
56 (46%) of individuals drowned less than 1km from
the nearest lifesaving service
STATE/TERRITORY
States where there has been a decrease in coastal
drowning rates include NSW, Queensland,
South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory
States where there has been an increase in coastal
drowning rates include Victoria and Western Australia
Australians and international visitors are increasingly drawn to our coastlines.
With an estimated 100 million visitations each year the task of ensuring the safety of everyone who visits Australia’s 11,912 beaches and 36,000km of coastline is an extremely challenging one and one that Surf Life Saving has been dedicated to for over 100 years.
As a peak body representing water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority, Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) aims to create great Australians and build better communities, while playing that vital role of saving lives.
SLSA’s 2012-13 National Coastal Safety Report contains analysis of cases on coastal drowning deaths for the period of 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013.
The report examines the factors that contribute to drowning deaths in Australia by examining who, where, when and how people have drowned on Australian coasts over the last year. Surf Life Saving Australia has produced a National Coastal Drowning Report every year since 2004.
The National Coastal Safety Report assists and supports evidence-based decision making on coastal drowning prevention programs, and allocation of scarce resources to strategic high risk interventions.
There are many challenges facing Surf Life Saving Australia and reducing coastal drowning includes the increasing challenges of population and tourism growth, and climate change. This report helps shape our planning to meet some of these challenges. Despite the extensive network of services deployed nationally to reduce the coastal drowning toll including volunteer surf life savers, Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) and council employed lifeguards, rescue helicopters, rescue boats, surveillance systems, radio control and coordination centres, community education and coastal safety risk assessments, coastal drownings are still at unacceptable levels.
Every life lost is one too many.
We are committed to achieving the goal outlined in the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-2015: to reduce drowning deaths by 50 per cent by 2020.
This is an ambitious undertaking, but one that is achievable through a strong, collaborative and evidence-based approach. I commend this report to you as part of that process.
Greg Nance
Chief Executive Officer Surf Life Saving Australia
Introduction
The 2013 key case studies include:
• Watercraft –revealing a high percentage of surfing related drownings
• Contributing factors – emphasis on reduction in rip current related drownings
• Recreational Boating – consistently the second highest coastal drowning activity
• Rocky Coasts – showcasing the number of people drowning around rocky coasts and emphasising the need for further research as part of our ARC Linkage Grant Project.
• Age Cohort Analysis – 55-69 years compared to 20-34 years. There has been a spike in 55-69 year old drownings.
National Overview
Coastal Drowning Deaths
Figure 1
2004-13: Nine year trend of national coastal drowning deaths
National coastal drowning death numbers and crude drowning rates 2004-13. The nine year average rate per 100,000 population is 0.44 and number is 95, the rate for 2012-13 is 0.53 and number is 121.
Figure 2
2004-13: Nine year coastal drowning deaths by activity
The rates of activity types being undertaken when coastal drowning deaths occur varies over time. The swimming and wading rate of drowning is less than the nine year average (0.13 vs. 0.14 average rate per 100,000 pop.) Activities where the rate is equal to the nine year average include: diving (0.02 rate per 100,000 pop.), snorkelling (0.02 rate per 100,000 pop.), and rock/cliff related (0.01 rate per 100,000 pop.). Activities where rate of drowning is greater than the nine year average include: boating (0.08 vs. 0.07 average rate per 100,000 pop.), rock fishing (0.07 vs. 0.06 average rate per 100,000 pop.), watercraft (0.06 vs. 0.03 average rate per 100,000 pop.), attempting a rescue (0.05 vs. 0.02 average rate per 100,000 pop.), and other activities (0.03 vs. 0.01 average rate per 100,000 pop.). Other activities include paragliding, fishing from pier, and falls.
0 30 60 90 120 150 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 COD listed No COD listed N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.6 89 95 98 89 89 85 72 115 121 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 Unknown Other Rock/Cliff Related Snorkelling Diving Attempting a Rescue Watercraft Rock Fishing Boating Swimming/Wading
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
)
Case Study
Contributing Factors to Swimming and Wading Coastal Drowning Deaths
Figure 3
Known Contributing Factors to Swimming and Wading Related Coastal Drowning Deaths, 2004-2013
This past year there have been 30 fatalities related to swimming and wading activities (24.8%). These are consistently the most common activities undertaken at the time of coastal drowning death. The rate of these deaths has seen a general decrease over time, as illustrated in Fig 3. The 2012-13 year is the fifth consecutive year that the rates have been below the nine year average rate of 0.14 per 100,000 population (dotted line).
A nine year analysis of the factors that have contributed to these events has been performed. Three known contributing factors for swimming and wading coastal drowning deaths are ‘being caught in a rip current’, an occurrence of a ‘medical event or injury’, or the presence of ‘alcohol and/or drugs’. Thirty-six of the swimming and wading incidents (13%) do not have a contributing factor associated with it, the majority of these (n=22) were within the 2011-12 and 2012-13 years. This number of cases with unknown information is expected to decrease as coronial reports are closed and become electronically available.
The 2012-13 rates of the following contributing factors are less than their nine-year average rates: rip currents (0.04 vs. 0.07 average rate per 100,000 pop.), medical and/or injury (0.03 vs. 0.04 average rate per 100,000 pop.), and alcohol and/or drug toxicity (0.01 vs. 0.03 average rate per 100,000 pop.).
While the total number of swimming and wading related coastal drowning deaths has decreased this year, the number of incidents attributed to medical/injury related issues has increased since last year. An analysis of all coastal drowning deaths revealed that at least 30% of all incidents had a medical condition (such as a cardiac event) or an injury (such as a head injury) associated with the drowning.
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 Swimming/Wading Rip current Medical/Injury Alcohol/Drug Toxicity 9 year ave. (Swimming/Wading)
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
National Overview
Coastal Drowning Deaths
Figure 5
2012-13: Coastal Drowning Deaths by Activity (n=121)
The majority of coastal drowning deaths occurred when an individual was participating in swimming or wading (30, 24.8%), boating (18, 14.9%), rock fishing (17, 14.0%), or using watercraft (14, 11.6%).Figure 4
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by state (n=121)
Of the 121 coastal drowning deaths, 48 (40%) occurred in NSW, 24 (20%) in WA, 23 (19%) in Vic, 14 (12%) in Qld, six (5%) in SA, four (3%) in Tas, and two (2%) in NT.Figure 7
2012-13: Location of coastal drowning deaths
(n=121)
64 coastal drowning deaths (52.9%)occurred at a beach location; this is an increase over last year’s beach located drownings (n=53). Figure 6
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by age group and
sex (n=121)
The age groups representing the highest rates of fatalities are 65-69 years (1.4 per 100,000 pop.), 60-64 years (1.1 per 100,000 pop.), and 55-59 years (0.9 per 100,000 pop.). 105 fatalities (87%) were male. N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 0 10 20 30 40 50 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 NT Tas SA Qld Vic WA NSW
Coastal Drowning Deaths Crude Drowning Rate Per 100,000
Unknown Other Diving Attempting a Rescue Rock/Cliff Related Snorkelling Watercraft Rock Fishing Boating Swimming/Wading 10.7% 24.8% 14.9% 14% 11.6% 9.9% 3.3% 3.3% 2.5% 5% Number (n)
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
)
Age Group (Years)
Males Females 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 un kn ow n 8 5+ 80 -8 4 75 -7 9 70 -74 6 5 -69 60 -6 4 5 5 -59 5 0 -5 4 45 -49 40 -4 4 35 -3 9 3 0 -3 4 2 5 -2 9 2 0 -24 15 -1 9 10 -1 4 5 -9 0 -4 Marina/Jetty Bay Offshore Rock/Cliff Beach 52.9% 19% 18.2% 8.3% 1.7% National Overview
/
7Case Study
Boating Related Coastal Drowning Deaths, 2004-2013 (n=138)
Figure 8
Boating Related Coastal Drowning Deaths, 2004-2013 (n=138)
There were 138 boating related coastal drowning deaths in Australia from 2004-2013 (nine years). This is an average of 15 boating related fatalities per year and a national average rate of 0.07 per 100,000 population. In 2012-13 there were 18 boating related fatalities at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 population. Boating has consistently been the second leading activity associated with coastal drowning deaths after swimming and wading activities. Fatal boating activity varies in the states and territory. NSW, Qld, and Vic combined make up 60% of the boating fatalities since 2004.
One of the recommended countermeasures to boating related fatalities is the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs). Currently PFD legislation is state based and varies according to each state. Surf Life Saving Australia collaborates with the Australian New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG) to develop educational interventions to increase the wear rate of lifejackets. Representing the key stakeholders in recreational boating safety across Australia and New Zealand, ANZSBEG is an excellent example of cross jurisdictional collaboration establishing consistency in educational key messages such as the International Lifejacket Principles initiative.
Northern Territory Western Australia South Australia Tasmania Victoria Queensland New South Wales
2.9% 10.9% 12.3% 23.9% 19.6% 16.7% 13.8%
Figure 12
2012-13: Distance from residence to drowning
location (n=121)
34 individuals (28.1%) lived greater than 50 kilometres from the drowning location. Nine coastal drowning deaths (7.4%) involved international tourists.
Figure 10
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by time (n=92*)
There are currently 92 coastal drowning deaths (76%) with known times. Most of these fatalities occurred between 9:01am and 10:00am (10, 11% ) and between 2:01pm and 5pm (30, 25%), shaded.* Only incidents with known times are represented.
Figure 11
2012-13: Distance from drowning location to
lifesaving service (n=121)
56 individuals (46.3%) drowned less than one kilometre from the nearest lifesaving service. 38 of these incidents (67.9%) occurred at unpatrolled times. No coastal drowning deaths occurred between the red and yellow flags.
Figure 9
2012-13: Coastal Drowning Deaths by Month (n=121)
The highest percentage of coastal drowning occurred in the months of December (14.9%) and March (14.0%). 77 (64%) occurred outside of the summer months, especially in November and March. Shading denotes season.National Overview
/
9 P er centage (%) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Jun e M ay A p ril M arc h Fe b rua ry Jan u ar y D ec em b er N ove m b er O ct ob er S epte mb er A u gu st Jul y P er centage (%) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 11 :0 1p m -1 2 am 10 :0 1p m -1 1p m 9: 01 p m -1 0 p m 8: 01 pm -9 pm 7: 01p m -8 p m 6: 01p m -7 p m 5: 01 pm -6 pm 4: 01 pm -5 pm 3: 01p m -4 p m 2: 01 p m -3p m 1: 01 pm -2 pm 12 :0 1p m -1p m 11 :0 1a m -1 2p m 10 :0 1a m -1 1a m 9: 01 am -1 0 am 8: 01 am -9 am 7: 01 am -8 am 6: 01a m -7 am 5: 01 am -6 am 4: 01 am -5 am 3: 01 am -4 am 2: 01 am -3 am 1: 01 am -2 am 12: 01 am -1 am 1km to 5km Greater than 5km Less than 1km 46.3% 38.8% 14.9% Unknown International 10km-50km Less than 10km Greater than 50km 28.1% 26.4% 21.5% 7.4% 16.5%National Overview
Figure 13
2004-13: Nine year trend of Qld coastal drowning
deaths
In 2012-13 there were 14 coastal drowning deaths or a rate of 0.30 deaths per 100,000 pop. in Queensland (Qld). From 2004-13 there has been an average number of 16 coastal drowning deaths, this is a nine year average rate of 0.36 per 100,000 population.
Figure 15
2004-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
The rates of activity types being undertaken when coastal drowning deaths occur varies over time in Qld. In 2012-13 there were 14 coastal drowning deaths. Activities where the rate is less than the nine year average include boating (0.06 vs. 0.07 average rate per 100,000 pop.) and snorkelling (0.02 vs. 0.05 average rate per 100,000 pop.). Swimming and wading incident rates are equal to the nine year average rate (0.13 rate per 100,000 pop.). Activities that have a rate greater than the nine year average are watercraft (0.06 vs. 0.04 average rate per 100,000 pop.) and rock/cliff related incidents (0.02 vs. 0.002 average rate per 100,000 pop.).
Figure 14
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
(n=14)
The majority of coastal drowning deaths in Qld occurred when an individual was participating in swimming and wading (6, 42.9%), using watercraft (3, 21.4%), or boating (3, 21.4%) activities.
Queensland
Coastal Drowning Deaths
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 12-13 11-12 10-11 09-10 08-09 07-08 06-07 05-06 04-05 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 18 11 17 12 9 16 19 26 14 Rock/Cliff Related Snorkelling Boating Watercraft Swimming/Wading 42.9% 21.4% 21.4% 7.1% 7.1% Unknown Other Rock/Cliff Related Snorkelling Diving Attempting a Rescue Watercraft Rock Fishing Boating Swimming/Wading
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
) 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05
Figure 16
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by age group and
sex (n=14)
The age groups representing the highest rates of coastal drowning deaths are 60-64 years (1.22 per 100,000 pop.) and 65-69 years (0.97 per 100,000 pop.). 13 coastal drowning deaths (93%) were male.
Figure 18
2012-13: Distance from residence to drowning
location (n=14)
Four individuals (28.6%) who drowned in Qld lived in an international location.
Figure 19
2012-13: Distance from drowning location to
lifesaving service (n=14)
Seven individuals (50.0%) drowned less than one kilometre from the nearest lifesaving service.
Figure 17
2012-13: Location of coastal drowning deaths
(n=14)
Eight coastal drowning deaths (57.1%) occurred at a beach location.
Queensland
Coastal Drowning Deaths
Queensland
/
11 0 1 2 3 4 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 un kn ow n 8 5+ 80 -8 4 75 -7 9 70 -74 6 5 -69 60 -6 4 5 5 -59 5 0 -5 4 45 -49 40 -4 4 35 -3 9 3 0 -3 4 2 5 -2 9 2 0 -24 15 -1 9 10 -1 4 5 -9 0 -4 Number (n)Rate (per 100,000 pop.
)
Age Group (Years) Rock/Cliff
Offshore Beach 57.1% 35.7% 7.1% 28.6% 21.4% 7.1% 42.9% Unknown Less than 10km Greater than 50km International 1km-5km Greater than 5km Less than 1km 50% 35.7% 14.3%
Figure 20
2004-13: Nine year trend of NSW coastal drowning
deaths
In 2012-13 there were 48 coastal drowning deaths or a rate of 0.65 per 100,000 pop. in New South Wales (NSW). From 2004-13 there has been an average number of 38 coastal drowning deaths, this is a nine year average rate of 0.54 per 100,000 population.
Figure 22
2004-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
The rates of activity types being undertaken when coastal drowning deaths occur varies over time in NSW. In 2012-13 there were 48 coastal drowning deaths. Activities where the rate is less than the nine year average include swimming and wading (0.15 vs. 0.18 average rate per 100,000 pop.) and diving (0.00 vs. 0.01 average rate per 100,000 pop.). Activities where the rate is equal to the nine year average rate are rock fishing (0.11 rate per 100,000 pop.) and attempting a rescue (0.03 rate per 100,000 pop.). Activities where rate of drowning is greater than the nine year average include: boating (0.08 vs. 0.05 average rate per 100,000 pop.), watercraft (0.07 vs. 0.04 average rate per 100,000 pop.), rock/cliff related incidents (0.04 vs. 0.01 average rate per 100,000 pop.), and snorkelling (0.05 vs. 0.01 average rate per 100,000 pop.).
Figure 21
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
(n=48)
The majority of coastal drowning deaths in NSW occurred when an individual was participating in swimming and wading (11, 22.9%), rock fishing (8, 16.7%), boating (6, 12.5%), or using watercraft (5, 10.4%). 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 12-13 11-12 10-11 09-10 08-09 07-08 06-07 05-06 04-05 35 35 45 29 39 40 23 48 48 Unknown Other Attempting a Rescue Rock/Cliff Related Snorkelling Watercraft Boating Rock Fishing Swimming/Wading 14.6% 6.3% 4.2% 4.2% 22.9% 16.7% 12.5% 10.4% 8.3%
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
) Unknown Other Rock/Cliff Related Snorkelling Diving Attempting a Rescue Watercraft Rock Fishing Boating Swimming/Wading 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05
New South Wales
Figure 24
2012-13: Location of coastal drowning deaths
(n=48)
24 coastal drowning deaths (50.0%) occurred at a beach location.
Figure 25
2012-13: Distance from residence to drowning
location (n=48)
21 individuals (43.8%) who drowned in NSW lived between 10 and 50 kilometres from the drowning location. There were three known coastal drowning deaths (6.3%) involving international visitors.
Figure 26
2012-13: Distance from drowning location to
lifesaving service (n=48)
20 individuals (41.7%) drowned less than one kilometre from the nearest lifesaving service.
Figure 23
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by age group and
sex (n=48)
The age groups representing the highest rates of coastal drowning deaths are 25-29 years (1.71 per 100,000 pop.) and 60-64 years (1.51 per 100,000 pop.). 40 coastal drowning deaths (83%) were male.
New South Wales
/
13Number (n)
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
)
Age Group (Years) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 5+ 80 -8 4 75 -7 9 70 -74 6 5 -69 60 -6 4 5 5 -59 5 0 -5 4 45 -49 40 -4 4 35 -3 9 3 0 -3 4 2 5 -2 9 2 0 -24 15 -1 9 10 -1 4 5 -9 0 -4 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 50% 25% 12.5% 12.5% Bay Offshore Rock/Cliff Beach 43.8% 33.3% 16.7% 6.3% International Greater than 50km Less than 10km 10km-50km Greater than 5km 1km-5km Less than 1km 41.7% 29.2% 29.2%
New South Wales
Figure 27
2004-13: Nine year trend of Vic coastal drowning
deaths
In 2012-13 there were 23 coastal drowning deaths or a rate of 0.40 per 100,000 pop. in Victoria (Vic). From 2004-13 there has been an average number of 14 coastal drowning deaths, this is a nine year average rate of 0.25 per 100,000 population.
Figure 29
2004-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
The rates of activity types being undertaken when coastal drowning deaths occur varies over time in Vic. In 2012-13 there were 23 coastal drowning deaths. Activities where the rate is greater than the nine year average include: swimming and wading (0.10 vs. 0.08 average rate per 100,000 pop.), boating (0.07 vs. 0.05 average rate per 100,000 pop.), diving (0.05 vs. 0.01 average rate per 100,000 pop.), snorkelling (0.02 vs. 0.006 average rate per 100,000 pop.), and attempting a rescue (0.04 vs. 0.01 average rate per 100,000 pop.). There were no deaths due to watercraft use, rock fishing, or other rock/cliff related activities this year.
Figure 28
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
(n=23)
The majority of coastal drowning deaths in Vic occurred when an individual was participating in swimming and wading (6, 26.1%), boating (4, 17.4%), or diving (3, 13.0%).
Victoria
Coastal Drowning Deaths
N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 0 5 10 15 20 25 12-13 11-12 10-11 09-10 08-09 07-08 06-07 05-06 04-05 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 14 15 11 17 11 12 10 10 23 Unknown Other Snorkelling Attempting a Rescue Diving Boating Swimming/Wading 4.3% 13% 17.4% 26.1% 17.4% 13% 8.7%
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
) Unknown Other Rock Fishing Rock/Cliff Related Watercraft Attempting a Rescue Snorkelling Boating Diving Swimming/Wading 0.00 0.03 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.15 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05
Figure 31
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by age group and
sex (n=23)
The age groups representing the highest rates of coastal drowning deaths are 60-64 years (1.35 per 100,000 pop.) and 65-69 years (1.20 per 100,000 pop.). 19 coastal drowning deaths (83%) were male.
Figure 33
2012-13: Distance from residence to drowning
location (n=23)
Five individuals (21.7%) lived greater than 50 kilometres and five individuals (21.7%) lived less than 10 kilometres from the drowning location. No known individuals were international residents.
Figure 34
2012-13: Distance from drowning location to
lifesaving service (n=23)
17 individuals (73.9%) drowned less than one kilometre from the nearest lifesaving service.
Figure 32
2012-13: Location of coastal drowning deaths
(n=23)
13 coastal drowning deaths (56.5%) occurred at a beach location.
Victoria
Coastal Drowning Deaths
Victoria
/
15Number (n)
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
)
Age Group (Years) 0 2 4 6 8 10 8 5+ 80 -8 4 75 -7 9 70 -74 6 5 -69 60 -6 4 5 5 -59 5 0 -5 4 45 -49 40 -4 4 35 -3 9 3 0 -3 4 2 5 -2 9 2 0 -24 15 -1 9 10 -1 4 5 -9 0 -4 0.0 0.3 0.9 0.6 1.2 1.5 Marina/Jetty Bay Offshore Beach 56.5% 21.7% 17.4% 4.3% Unknown 10km-50km Less than 10km Greater than 50km 21.7% 21.7% 13% 43.5% 1km-5km Greater than 5km Less than 1km 73.9% 17.4% 8.7%
Figure 35
2004-13: Nine year trend of SA coastal drowning
deaths
In 2012-13 there were six coastal drowning deaths or a rate of 0.36 per 100,000 pop. in South Australia (SA). From 2004-13 there has been an average number of seven coastal drowning deaths, this is a nine year average rate of 0.44 per 100,000 population.
Figure 37
2004-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
The rates of activity types being undertaken when coastal drowning deaths occur varies over time in SA. In 2012-13 there were six coastal drowning deaths. The rate of swimming and wading deaths is greater than the nine year average (0.18 vs. 0.16 average rate per 100,000 pop.). Boating deaths are equal to the nine year average rate (0.12 rate per 100,000 pop.). There were no deaths due to watercraft, diving, rock/cliff related, attempting a rescue, snorkelling, or rock fishing activities this year.
Figure 36
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
(n=6)
The majority of coastal drowning deaths in SA occurred when an individual was participating in swimming and wading (3, 50.0%) or boating (2, 33.3%). N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 12-13 11-12 10-11 09-10 08-09 07-08 06-07 05-06 04-05 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 9 13 4 9 11 3 2 7 6 Other Boating Swimming/Wading 50% 33.3% 16.7%
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
) Unknown Other Rock Fishing Rock/Cliff Related Watercraft Attempting a Rescue Snorkelling Boating Diving Swimming/Wading 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05
South Australia
Figure 38
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by age group and
sex (n=6)
The age groups representing the highest rates of coastal drowning deaths are 80-84 years and 85+ years (2.53 per 100,000 pop.) Six coastal drowning deaths (100%) were male.
Figure 40
2012-13: Distance from residence to drowning
location (n=6)
Four individuals (66.7%) lived less than 10 kilometres from the drowning location. No known individuals were international residents.
Figure 41
2012-13: Distance from drowning location to
lifesaving service (n=6)
Three individuals (50.0%) drowned less than one kilometre and three individuals (50.0%) drowned greater than five kilometres from the nearest lifesaving service.
Figure 39
2012-13: Location of coastal drowning deaths
(n=6)
Three coastal drowning deaths (50.0%) occurred at a beach location.
South Australia
/
17Number (n)
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
)
Age Group (Years) 0 1 2 3 8 5+ 80 -8 4 75 -7 9 70 -74 6 5 -69 60 -6 4 5 5 -59 5 0 -5 4 45 -49 40 -4 4 35 -3 9 3 0 -3 4 2 5 -2 9 2 0 -24 15 -1 9 10 -1 4 5 -9 0 -4 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 Marina/Jetty Offshore Beach 50% 33.3% 16.7% 10km-50km Greater than 50km Less than 10km 66.7% 16.7% 16.7% Greater than 5km Less than 1km 50% 50%
South Australia
Figure 42
2004-13: Nine year trend of WA coastal drowning
deaths
In 2012-13 there were 24 coastal drowning deaths or a rate of 0.96 per 100,000 pop. in Western Australia (WA) . From 2004-13 there has been an average number of 13 coastal drowning deaths, this is an average rate of 0.59 per 100,000 population.
Figure 44
2004-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
The rates of activity types being undertaken when coastal drowning deaths occur varies over time in WA. In 2012-13 there were 24 coastal drowning deaths. Activities where the rate is greater than the nine year average include: rock fishing (0.17 vs. 0.16 average rate per 100,000 pop.), snorkelling (0.12 vs. 0.06 average rate per 100,000 pop.), watercraft (0.16 vs. 0.05 average rate per 100,000 pop.), and boating (0.08 vs. 0.07 average rate per 100,000 pop.). Swimming and wading death rates were equal to the nine year average (0.16 rate per 100,000 pop.) There were no deaths due to rock/cliff related, diving, or attempting a rescue activities this year.
Figure 43
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by activity
(n=24)
The majority of coastal drowning deaths in WA occurred when an individual was participating in rock fishing (7, 29.2%), snorkelling (6, 25.0%), or using watercraft (5, 20.8%). N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 0 5 10 15 20 25 12-13 11-12 10-11 09-10 08-09 07-08 06-07 05-06 04-05 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 8 15 13 12 11 10 12 15 24 Boating Swimming/Wading Watercraft Snorkelling Rock Fishing 29.2% 25% 20.8% 16.7% 8.3%
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
) Unknown Other Rock/Cliff Related Watercraft Attempting a Rescue Snorkelling Boating Diving Swimming/Wading 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 Rock Fishing
Western Australia
Figure 45
2012-13: Coastal drowning deaths by age group and
sex (n=24)
The age groups representing the highest rates of coastal drowning deaths are 65-69 years (3.04 per 100,000 pop.) and 55-59 years (2.77 per 100,000 pop.). 21 coastal drowning deaths (88%) were male.
Figure 47
2012-13: Distance from residence to drowning
location (n=24)
14 individuals (58.3%) lived greater than 50 kilometres from the drowning location. At least two individuals (8.3%) were international residents.
Figure 48
2012-13: Distance from drowning location to
lifesaving service (n=24)
19 individuals (79.2%) drowned greater than five kilometres from the nearest lifesaving service.
Figure 46
2012-13: Location of coastal drowning deaths (n=24)
14 coastal drowning deaths (58.3%) occurred at a beach location.Western Australia
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19Number (n)
Rate (per 100,000 pop.
)
Age Group (Years) 0 1 2 3 4 5 8 5+ 80 -8 4 75 -7 9 70 -74 6 5 -69 60 -6 4 5 5 -59 5 0 -5 4 45 -49 40 -4 4 35 -3 9 3 0 -3 4 2 5 -2 9 2 0 -24 15 -1 9 10 -1 4 5 -9 0 -4 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 Offshore Rock/Cliff Beach 58.3% 29.2% 12.5% Unknown 10km-50km International Less than 10km Greater than 50km 58.3% 12.5% 8.3% 4.2% 16.7% Less than 1km Greater than 5km 79.2% 20.8%
Western Australia
Case Study
Analysis of Non-Powered Watercraft Incidents, 2004-13
This year there were 14 coastal drowning deaths related the use of watercraft. SLSA defines watercraft activity as using an item of non-powered recreational equipment in the water. Examples include surfboards, body boards, kayaks, or surf skis. Watercraft incidents are the fourth leading cause (11.6%) of Australian coastal drowning deaths in 2012-13. This is the fifth consecutive year that the rate of watercraft related drowning deaths has increased. The 2012-13 rate is 0.06 per 100,000 pop., double the nine-year average rate of 0.03 per 100,000 pop.
The most common type of watercraft implicated during coastal drowning death incidents over the last nine years are surfboards (n=35, 50.7%). There are often other contributing factors associated with these incidents such as being caught in a rip current or the occurrence of a medical condition or injury. This analysis highlights the importance of strategic interventions to engage surfers such as the Surfer Rescue 24/7 education project in NSW and the Big Wave Surfing Safety Training Program in Tasmania.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 12-13 11-12 10-11 09-10 08-09 07-08 06-07 05-06 04-05 Number (n) Paddle Board Inflatable Craft Kite Surfer Canoe Surf Ski Kayak Bodyboard Surfboard 50.7% 20.3% 11.6% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 2.9% 1.4% Figure 50
Water craft type involved in coastal drowning deaths in Australia from 2004-2013 (n=69)
Figure 49
Non-powered watercraft related coastal drowning in Australia, 2004-2013
Figure 51
2004-13: Nine year trend of Tas coastal drowning deaths
There has been an average of five coastal drowning deaths per year in Tasmania (Tas) from 2004-13. This is an average rate of 0.98 per 100,000 population. In 2012-13 there were four coastal drowning deaths in Tas.
Further analysis of the 2012-13 coastal drowning deaths in Tasmania will not be published because there were less than five fatalities this past year.
Tasmania
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21Tasmania
Coastal Drowning Deaths
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 5 5 2 8 8 3 5 5 4
Case Study
Rocky Coast Drowning Deaths 2004-13
Figure 52
Activities related to Rocky Coast Drowning Deaths, 2004-13
Rocky coasts have proven to be dangerous locations, second only to beaches in Australia during 2012-13 (see fig 7). There have been twenty-three drowning deaths (19%) along rock dominated coasts this past year. The vast majority of rocky coasts related drowning deaths from 2004-13 have occurred during rock fishing activity (n= 108, 68.8%). The second most common activity resulting in rocky coast related drowning is ‘rock/cliff related activities other than rock fishing’ (n= 22, 14.0%), which includes rock walking or taking photographs. In addition since 2004, 8 people (5.1%) have drowned on the rocky coast while attempting a rescue of someone who has already been swept into the water.
SLSA is currently collaborating with researchers from Melbourne University and the University of Wollongong to assess the dangers of rocky coast platforms and develop a unique risk classification system of these areas. After a successful pilot study, the team has been awarded an Australian Research Council linkage grant to continue the research for three years.
The new project will use analysis of airborne and ground-based laser surveying and wave modelling to quantify the risk of people being washed into the sea from rocky coasts. How users perceive waves on rock platforms will also be analysed to determine if risk perception correlates to actual risk. The integrated risk framework developed will provide a completely new and critically needed understanding of hazards on rocky shores.
Unknown Watercraft Diving Swimming/Wading Snorkelling Attempting a Rescue Rock/Cliff Related Rock Fishing 68.8% 14% 5.1% 1.9% 1.9% 1.3% 1.3% 5.7%
Northern Territory
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23Figure 53
2004-13: Nine year trend of NT coastal drowning deaths
There has been an average of two coastal drowning deaths per year in the Northern Territory (NT) from 2004-13. This is an average rate of 0.82 per 100,000 population. In 2012-13 there were two coastal drowning deaths in NT.
Further analysis of the 2012-13 coastal drowning deaths in the Northern Territory will not be published because there were less than five fatalities this past year.
Northern Territory
Coastal Drowning Deaths
N u m b er (n) R at e ( p er 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 p o p .) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 1 0 0 6 2 1 1 4 2
Case Study
Age comparison 55-69 years vs. 20-34 years
B o at in g U nk n ow n O ther A tt em p ti n g a R es cu e D iv in g Ro ck /C lif f Re late d Sn o rk el lin g Ro ck F is hi n g W ate rc ra ft Sw im m in g /W ad in g P er centage (%) 0 5 10 15 20 25 20-34 years 55-69 years P er centage (%) 20-34 years 55-69 years 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 U nk n ow n To xi ci ty R ip C u rr en t M edi ca l
The age groups most represented in this year’s coastal drowning deaths are 55-69 year olds (n=40, 33%) and 20-34 year olds (n=33, 27%) (see fig 6). These age peaks warranted further comparative analysis.
People aged 55-69 years were more likely to drown undertaking boating (22.5%); swimming and wading (20%); watercraft (12.5%); and snorkelling related activities (10%). By contrast, people aged 20-39 years were likely to drown undertaking swimming and wading (24.2%); watercraft (24.2%); and rock fishing related activities (21.2%) (Fig 54).
The contributing factor in the drowning incident was mostly unknown in more than half of cases. However, where contributing factors were known, medical related incidents were most common for the older age group (32.5%) and rip currents were most common for the younger age group (27.3%) (fig 55). Positive toxicity to illicit drugs and/or alcohol was found in only one case for each age group.
As the reflection of the drowning activity people in the older age group were more likely to drown at the beach (60.0%) or offshore (25.0%). By contrast, younger people were more likely to drown at the beach (48.5%) or at a rocks/cliff location (30.3%).
These findings reinforce the need to focus prevention specifically to those age groups at high risk of drowning and also highlight the need to target specific age groups with specific prevention messages.
Figure 55
Comparison of contributing factors for coastal drowning death in individuals aged 55-69 years (n= 40) and 20-34 years (n=33)
Figure 54
Comparison of activities undertaken when coastal drowning deaths occur in individuals aged 55-69 years (n= 40) and 20-34 years (n=33)
Glossary
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25ALS - Australian Lifeguard Service.
Attempting rescue - An individual who makes an effort to remove someone from a dangerous situation.
AWSC - Australian Water Safety Council – also Australian Water Safety Conference.
AWSS - Australian Water Safety Strategy.
Bay - A body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide mouth, affording access to the sea.
Beach - An expanse of sand or pebbles along a shoreline. Blackspot - An area with a high concentration of coastal/ocean incidents and a high probability/risk of ongoing reoccurrence. Boating - Individuals using either a powered vessel or sailing boat for pleasure and/or fishing.
Coastal - The foreshore, seabed, coastal water, and air space above a large body of water (harbour/bay/inlet), including areas up to 2NM offshore and of which the landward boundary is the line of mean high water, except that where that line crosses a river/inlet, the landward boundary at that point shall be the point upstream that is calculated by multiplying the width of the river/ inlet mouth by 5. (Adopted from the Resource Management Amendment Act 1993-New Zealand).
Coastal death - A fatality arising from various circumstances occurring (e.g. heart attack, boat collision, fall, shark attack) where the location of the death is coastal.
COD - Cause of Death.
Coastal drowning death - Where the location of the drowning is on the coast, in the ocean up to 2NM off-shore or inland up to 5 times the width of the inlet/river.
Crude drowning rate - The crude drowning rate is a comparative rate of drowning to the size of the population in that area.
Disaster Incident - An exceptional event which suddenly kills 10 or more people; reportedly affects 100 or more individuals; a state of emergency is declared; or there is a call for international assistance (CRED,2009). This may be a result of a natural disaster such as severe flooding or a tsunami; or a technological disaster such as a mechanised mode of transport accident.
Diving - Engaging in recreational or commercial SCUBA diving. Drowning - The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid.
Drowning death - A fatality arising from the process of respiratory impairment as a result of submersion/immersion in liquid.
First Aid - Immediate or emergency assistance given on the spot to people suffering from illness or injury.
Fishing - The act of catching fish.
Foreign Ethnicity - Individuals who identify with a cultural group other than Australian based on heritage, language, or shared customs. This identification is extrapolated from reported data such as the individuals’ country of birth and the main language spoken at home.
Hotspot - An area with a low/medium concentration of coastal/ ocean incidents combined with a high number of rescues/ preventative actions.
HRS - Helicopter rescue service. ILS - International Life Saving Federation.
Inland - An area that is beyond the line of mean high water or beyond a landward distance of 5 times the width of the coastal inlet/river mouth.
Inland Death - A fatality arising from various circumstances (e.g. heart attack, boat collision, fall shark attack) occurring where the location of the death is not considered coastal, but occurs in an inland body of water such as a river, lake, creek, or dam.
Inland Drowning Death - A fatality arising from the impairment of respiratory function as a result of immersion in liquid, where the location of the drowning is not considered coastal but occurs in and inland body of water such as a river, lake, creek, or dam. International - An individual who is confirmed to reside oversees and/or is a temporary visitor to Australia.
IRB - Inflatable rescue boat. JRB - Jet rescue boat.
Lake - An inland body of water surrounded by land.
Leisure Activity - An activity commenced on land such as play, walking, jogging, or cycling.
Lifeguard - Typically a paid employee at a beach or another aquatic environment whose role is to rescue people in danger of drowning or prevent them getting into that situation.
Lifesaving service - A service which exists to provide aquatic safety services to the public.
Marina/jetty - A boat basin offering dockage and other service for small craft, or a pier/wharf.
NCIS - National Coronial Information System.
Ocean death - A fatality arising from various circumstances occurring (e.g. heart attack, boat collision, fall, shark attack) where the location of the death is in the ocean greater than 2NM offshore, but no greater than 12NM.
Ocean drowning death - Where the location of the drowning is in the ocean greater than 2NM offshore, but no greater than 12NM. Open ocean - The seabed, water and air space above the water between 2NM and 12NM (the Australian territorial waters limit) offshore.
ORB - Offshore rescue boat.
Other - An uncommon known activity not otherwise listed (e.g. paragliding, aircraft crash, fall from pier).
Patrolled location - A location supervised constantly or periodically by a lifesaving service.
Prevention - Where intervention by a lifesaving resource averts a person/s from getting into a potentially life threatening situation. Rescue - Where intervention by a lifesaving resource removes a person/s from a life threatening or potentially life threatening situation.
Resuscitation - Preservation or restoration of life by establishing and maintaining a person’s airway, breathing and circulation. RIB - Rigid inflatable boat.
Rip current - A narrow seaward flowing current of water moving through a surf zone (Short,2003).
Rock/cliff - A rocky shoreline that may or may not have a high steep face.
Rock/cliff related - An activity besides fishing that is performed on a rocky shoreline or off a groyne.
River - A natural stream of water flowing into an ocean or bay. RWC - Rescue water craft - sometimes called a personal water craft.
Rock fishing death - A fatality arising from various circumstances occurring (e.g. wave motion, loss of footing) where the victim was participating in fishing activities on a rocky coast immediately prior to or during the incident.
Service Gap - An area identified as having an inadequate level of resources to meet public safety demands.
Service season & hours - Vary between states due to climactic factors, but in the context of this report, the season is for the period July 2010 to June 2011.
Snorkelling - Swimming with a snorkel and face mask.
Support Operations - Rapid response rescue units, not affiliated to any one surf life saving club.
Surfcom - SLS radio communications centre which assists in managing the communications of lifesaving operations and data collection.
Surf lifesaver - Typically a volunteer at a beach or another aquatic environment whose role is to rescue people in danger of drowning or prevent them getting into that situation.
Swimming - A person who is active while immersed in water. Total Service Plan - An assessment of current and future lifesaving resources, national blackspots, hotspots and trends. Undetermined - Cases that are not associated with a closed coroner’s report on NCIS are often left ‘undetermined’ until an official cause of death has been determined. Some examples are cases where bodies have been found washed up on the beach, reports of individuals struggling in coastal environments are made and the bodies are not found/missing persons reports are not made, or a suspected heart attack in a coastal environment rather than death due to immersion. These deaths will all be followed up on and the incident category updated once coroner determinations are made accessible.
Wading - A person who is partially immersed in water while standing.
Watercraft - A piece of non powered recreational equipment used in the water. Examples include surfboards, boogie boards, windsurfers, or kayaks.
Why do people drown?
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27An understanding of why people drown is significant when developing drowning prevention strategies. Four key factors have been identified that may lead to accidental drowning, known as the ‘Drowning Chain’. Any of these factors alone, or a combination, could lead to death by drowning (George, 2011).
Table 1
Drowning chain and drowning prevention strategies
Drowning Chain Drowning Prevention Strategies
Lack of knowledge, disregard or misjudgment of a hazard Education and information
Uninformed, unprotected or unrestricted access to a hazard Denial of access, improvement of infrastructure and/or provision of warnings Lack of supervision or surveillance Provision of supervision
Inability to cope once in difficulty Acquisition of survival skills
REDUCE
DROWNING
LAC K O F K NO WLE DGE, DISR EGAR D FOR OR MIS UN DER STAN DING OF T HE HA ZARD RIS K AS SESS MENT TO IN CREA SE K NOW LEDG E THR OUGH QUALITY PUB LIC ED UCAT ION AND A WAREN ESS TO PROM OTE S AF E AQ U AT IC ENVIRO NM EN TS TO P RO M OT E Q UA LITY LIF ES AV IN G S ER VIC ES TO P RO MO TE TH E AC Q U IS IT IO N OF SU RV IVA L SK IL LS EDUC ATE AND INFO RM PROVID E W AR NING S AND DENY A CC ESS EX TE ND LIF ES AV IN G S ER VIC ES IN CR EA SE SU RV IVA L SK IL LS RISK A SSES SM EN T R IS K A SS ES SM EN T RIS K A SS ES SM EN T UNINFOR ME D O R U NR ES TR IC TED ACC ESS TO TH E H AZ AR D LA C K O F S UR PE RVIS ION O R S UR VE ILL AN CE IN AB ILI TY T O CO PE ON CE IN D IF FI CU LT YThe 2012-13 National Coastal Safety Report contains information on all coastal drowning deaths for the period of 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013. This information is correct as of 6 September 2013. All care is taken to ensure the statistical information included within this report is correct. However, pending the outcome of ongoing coronial investigations, this data may be amended. Data Sources
SLSA collects incident data from our own SurfGuard Incident Report Database (IRD), the National Coroners Information System (NCIS) and by monitoring media reports for drowning incidents. The information is verified with the assistance of each state Surf Life Saving centre and compiled for analysis by SLSA’s Research and Lifesaving Departments. The following information is recorded for each drowning incident: state; date; drowning location; GPS coordinates; time; age; gender; incident type; activity information; whether the incident was work related; entered into IRD; IRD number; NCIS case number; whether the case is open/closed; whether the case was reported by the state; the original source of information; drowning location suburb; local government area; postcode; associated SLS club; month; day; season; quarter; victim’s name; address; residence country; residence distance to coastline; residence distance to drowning location; victim’s birth country; nationality; time in Australia; main language; additional activity information; the victim’s experience in the activity; whether the incident was rip current related; detailed description of the incident; details relating to alcohol; drugs; or health conditions; weather conditions; wind conditions; sea conditions/wave size; wave type; water surface; temperature; tides; location to a lifeguarding service; whether or not the location was patrolled at the time; personnel who first sighted the incident; first rescued; other services; and resuscitation details. The following variables are used to match drowning cases from more than one data source: incident date; location; age; gender; and incident description. The NCIS is considered the ‘gold standard’ when there is a discrepancy in the detail collected from different data sources.
Verification Process
The coastal drowning data that has been published in previous NCSR editions is constantly reviewed to ensure the validity of the data. Each case was analysed to ensure that the descriptions as ‘coastal drowning death’, ‘coastal death’, ‘inland drowning death’, ‘ocean drowning death’, and ‘undetermined’ meet both our current definitions and the NCIS information available. Deaths that are reported as ‘unintentional’, ‘unknown intent’ and ‘unlikely to know intent’ are included. Deaths are excluded if they are reported as ‘intentional deaths’, they are inland/ocean locations drowning or drowning/immersion is not a primary cause of death.
The new list is compared to the original workbook and any necessary inclusions are made. All details are also matched with the NCIS reports. When incidents on our workbook are not found on NCIS we liaise with NCIS personnel for help. Cases with detailed IRD and media reports are investigated and included whether personnel can find an NCIS case number or not. Limitations
Over years of investigation as part of the NCIS process, some cases are amended prior to their closure, resulting in changes to the classification of cases in our datasets. Therefore, the number of coastal drowning deaths published in this report may be different from annual totals previously reported. In an effort to produce a timely report on our current year’s data we acknowledge that these figures will change. Each year, the changes that occur in the previous year’s report will be made transparent. The data in this current report are not the final figures as 73% of 2012-13 coastal drowning deaths reported remain open cases and 30% of cases do not have a cause of death (COD) listed yet. Once a closure occurs to NCIS cases we can modify undetermined cases, those with unknown intent, and those where the cause of death is not drowning.
All deaths known to have occurred in coastal waters have been included as coastal drowning deaths, unless the COD is listed as otherwise. Bars of two different colours are used to illustrate the incidents where a COD has not been listed on NCIS. The incidents are included in our annual totals and analysis, they will remain so until the event a COD is listed other than drowning/immersion. What is a coastal drowning death?
SLSA defines a coastal drowning death as a fatality arising from the process of respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in the foreshore, seabed, coastal water, and air space above a large body of water (harbour/bay/inlet), including areas up to 2 nautical miles offshore and of which the landward boundary is the line of mean high water, except that where that line crosses a river/inlet. In this case the landward boundary at that point shall be the point upstream that is calculated by multiplying the width of the river/ inlet mouth by 5. These unambiguous coastal/inland boundaries have been adopted from New Zealand’s Resource Management Amendment Act 1993.
Changes from previous reports
Over years of investigation as part of the NCIS process, some cases are amended prior to their closure and have resulted in changes to our data sets. The new numbers of coastal drowning deaths are different from the annual totals that have been previously reported as cases have closed.
Table 2
Changes in the number of coastal drowning deaths
per year as previously reported
We look forward to continuing our verification processes in the future to ensure the most correct data is being reported. Suggested Citation
Surf Life Saving Australia (2013) National Coastal Safety Report 2013. SLSA: Sydney. Methodology
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29Methodology
2011 NCSR 2012 NCSR 2013 NCSR 2004-05 92 89 89 2005-06 103 95 95 2006-07 103 98 98 2007-08 92 89 89 2008-09 91 89 89 2009-10 84 83 85 2010-11 61 70 72 2011-12 119 115 2012-13 121Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters- CRED (2009) Explanatory Notes: Criteria and Definition. Retrieved from http://www.emdat.be/criteria-and-definition on 05/09/2011
George, P. (2011) Drowning Prevention Strategies 2011. World Conference on Drowning Prevention. International Life Saving Federation, Danang, Vietnam.
New Zealand, Ministry for the Environment (1991) Resource Management Act 1991.
Retrieved from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1991/0069/latest/DLM230265. html?search=ts_act_Resource+Management+Act_resel&p=1&sr=1 on 05/09/2011
Short, A. D. (2003) Australia beach systems - the morphodynamics of wave through tide-dominated beach-dune systems. Journal of Coastal Research SI 35, 7-20.
With thanks
Surf Life Saving Australia wishes to thank the following people and organisations for their contribution to the 2013 National Coastal Safety Report:
• The Australian Government, principally the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet • SLSA major national corporate partners, including DHL, Telstra and Westpac
• Surf Life Saving state centres, branches, clubs and support operations
• SLSA’s Research Department, Dr. Shauna Sherker, Barbara Brighton and the SLSA Research Advisory Committee • Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Amy Peden
• The Australian Lifeguard Service • Independent Council Lifeguard Services
• National Coronial Information System, Jo Cotsonis and Leanne Daking
Surf Life Saving receives Government funding to commence valuable initiatives and programs. However, we rely on the generosity of the community and corporate support to ensure they continue.
To help Surf Life Saving, please donate to the Surf Life Saving Foundation – sls.com.au For more information
Surf Life Saving Australia – sls.com.au
Surf Life Saving New South Wales – surflifesaving.com.au Surf Life Saving Northern Territory – lifesavingnt.com.au Surf Life Saving Queensland – lifesaving.com.au
Surf Life Saving South Australia – surfrescue.com.au Surf Life Saving Tasmania – slst.asn.au
Life Saving Victoria – lifesavingvictoria.com.au
Surf Life Saving Western Australia – surflifesavingwa.com.au
ACTIVITY
30 (25%) were swimming/wading
18 (15%) were boating
17 (14%) were rock fishing
14 (12%) were using watercraft
OVERALL
121 coastal drowning deaths; greater than the nine year average of 95
0.53 coastal drowning death rate per 100,000 pop; greater than the nine year average rate of 0.44 per 100,000 pop
CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS
18 (15%) were attributed to rip currents
24 (20%) were attributed to a medical condition or injury
7 (6%) were attributed to alcohol and/or drug toxicity
TIME
30 (25%) occurred between 2pm -5pm
77 (64%) occurred outside of the summer months
STATE/TERRITORY
States where there has been a decrease in coastal drowning rates include NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory
States where there has been an increase in coastal drowning rates include Victoria and Western Australia
DEMOGRAPHICS
105 (87%) were males
40 (33%) were aged between 55-69 years
Individuals 65-69 had the highest drowning rate of 1.37 per 100,000 population
44 (36%) were known to be of a foreign ethnicity
9 (7%) were international visitors
LOCATION
64 (53%) occurred at a beach
34 (28%) of individuals lived more than 50km from the drowning location
56 (46%) of individuals drowned less than 1km from the nearest lifesaving service
