Safety experts are warning Australians and international visitors to be careful near waterways and pools this long-weekend, with new research showing that Australia Day is one of the worst days of the year for drowning deaths and near misses.
The research, led by UNSW Sydney and published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, is the first of its kind to use linked data to calculate both fatal and non-fatal drowning numbers in NSW on different days of the year.
The research analysed over 4,100 drowning incidents over 12 years up to June 2022. Researchers found that drownings were more common on public holidays, weekends and school holidays.
The Australia Day and New Year's Day public holidays had the most drownings, accounting for almost 5 percent of cases over the study period, with 86 and 111 incidents respectively across both the actual and observed public holidays.
Experts attributed the higher number of incidents to more people visiting beaches and rivers during time off, particularly amid warmer weather, but warned increased alcohol consumption on public holidays was also a contributing factor.
Senior author Dr Amy Peden, from UNSW, says that in Australia on average over 270 people die each year from unintentional drowning, 95 of them in NSW. The new research uncovered that each year an additional 313 people in NSW end up in hospital or needing an ambulance after a non-fatal drowning incident.
"Researchers and the media often report the number of people who die as a result of drowning each year, but until now little was known about how many people experience non-fatal drowning incidents that see them treated in hospital or transported from the scene in an ambulance."
To gain a complete picture of drowning in NSW, the research team looked at ambulance data, emergency room data and death records. They then analysed how often these incidents occurred during school holidays, public holidays, and weekends.
Rates of drowning were more than four times higher on public holidays and three times higher on long weekends than regular weekdays. Drowning rates on school holiday days were also more than twice as high as non-school holiday days.
"Our research uncovered that on average, for every drowning death in NSW, there were 15 non-fatal drowning incidents. Drowning is more common than people think - it's very sad and traumatic for all involved.
"While water safety campaigns often communicate the increased risk of drowning deaths for children under five and males, our research shows high numbers of non-fatal drowning among children and adolescents aged 5-17 years and females. This highlights that being safe around the water should be a concern for everyone, no matter their age or gender.
"Australians love the outdoors and enjoy spending their days off work and school at water locations, but we need to do more to keep everyone safe, particularly on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays.
"This includes extended patrols and safety measures on the days that drowning risk increases, but also consistent and ongoing education and water safety awareness campaigns, particularly for parents and carers," says Dr Peden.
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia, says that the research is a timely reminder as we approach the long weekend.
"This new study talks about the role of the media and journalists in helping to get the messages out there about water safety before big weekends like Australia Day.
"Part of the problem on days like Australia Day is water leisure mixing with alcohol, which increases the risk of drowning. Alcohol consumption continues to be one of our biggest public health challenges. The messages for individuals are simple – alcohol and water activities don't mix. For communities and governments, more needs to be done to discourage excess drinking near waterways, plan Australia Day celebrations carefully and minimise alcohol-related harms."
Dr Peden's top tips for staying safe near the water this Australia Day:
- Don't drink and swim – alcohol increases your drowning risk
- Never swim alone - take a friend and keep an eye on one another
- Swim at patrolled beaches between the flags, or at lifeguarded pools and waterways
- If you get into trouble, keep calm, float and signal for help by raising your hand
- Never let children swim unsupervised, even if they are strong swimmers
- Learn how to spot a rip and know what to do if you get caught in one
- Wear a lifejacket when boating, using watercraft or rock fishing
- Avoid swimming at night
- Learn CPR to know how to help in an emergency
