Pool drownings increase
October 20th, 2010
Royal Life Saving has released its annual report into drowning, highlighting an increase in pool drownings compared to the five-year average. The five year average for pool drownings is 33 per year; by comparison 2006/2007 was a bad year, with 39 drownings.
However, the biggest increase in drownings by location was at the beach, where 39% more people drowned than the five-year average. This year there was a decrease in the number of deaths on the five-year average for fishing (52%), attempting a rescue (38%), falling into water (18%), and diving (11%). However, there was an increase in the number of people who drowned while swimming/undertaking leisure activities in water (22%), while on a watercraft (boat, board, jet ski, etc) (69%), and bathing (29%).
During the 2006/2007 year, 202 (73%) males and 75 (27%) females drowned, making males almost three times more likely to drown than females. Drowning deaths in total are up by 5% on the five year average. Royal Life Saving (RLS) says this is partially due to the climatic conditions around Australia causing storms, floods, large surf and other conditions that place people at greater risk of drowning (there were 14 deaths of people who drowned while driving across or into flooded roads or were swept away). There was an increase in number of drowning deaths against the five-year average in all age groups except for the 0-4, 25-34 and 55-64 years. The largest increases were in the 5-14 years age group (54%) and 35-44 years age group (51%).
The report showed that 35 infants and toddlers lost their lives through drowning. This is a small improvement of 5.5% on the five-year average but in targeting zero child drowning Royal Life Saving is reminding parents and carers of some simple strategies or actions that may save their child’s life. Put simply, Keep Watch and prevent your child from drowning.
“Whilst there was a small improvement in the 0-4 age group, 35 infants and toddlers lost their lives tragically through drowning,” says RLS CEO Rob Bradley. “These preventable drowning deaths have a devastating impact on the families and friends of the children lost. We need to continue to remind parents and carers of the importance of Keep Watch.”
The swimming pool remains the number one location of drowning deaths for children under five with nearly half or 15 of the 35 drowning deaths occurring in a backyard pool.
“The Keep Watch campaign reminds backyard pool owners of the importance of restricting a child’s access to the pool area with appropriate pool fencing, self closing and self latching gates, and constantly supervising children when they are in, on or around the pool,” says Bradley.
Click here to download the full report.
However, the biggest increase in drownings by location was at the beach, where 39% more people drowned than the five-year average. This year there was a decrease in the number of deaths on the five-year average for fishing (52%), attempting a rescue (38%), falling into water (18%), and diving (11%). However, there was an increase in the number of people who drowned while swimming/undertaking leisure activities in water (22%), while on a watercraft (boat, board, jet ski, etc) (69%), and bathing (29%).
During the 2006/2007 year, 202 (73%) males and 75 (27%) females drowned, making males almost three times more likely to drown than females. Drowning deaths in total are up by 5% on the five year average. Royal Life Saving (RLS) says this is partially due to the climatic conditions around Australia causing storms, floods, large surf and other conditions that place people at greater risk of drowning (there were 14 deaths of people who drowned while driving across or into flooded roads or were swept away). There was an increase in number of drowning deaths against the five-year average in all age groups except for the 0-4, 25-34 and 55-64 years. The largest increases were in the 5-14 years age group (54%) and 35-44 years age group (51%).
The report showed that 35 infants and toddlers lost their lives through drowning. This is a small improvement of 5.5% on the five-year average but in targeting zero child drowning Royal Life Saving is reminding parents and carers of some simple strategies or actions that may save their child’s life. Put simply, Keep Watch and prevent your child from drowning.
“Whilst there was a small improvement in the 0-4 age group, 35 infants and toddlers lost their lives tragically through drowning,” says RLS CEO Rob Bradley. “These preventable drowning deaths have a devastating impact on the families and friends of the children lost. We need to continue to remind parents and carers of the importance of Keep Watch.”
The swimming pool remains the number one location of drowning deaths for children under five with nearly half or 15 of the 35 drowning deaths occurring in a backyard pool.
“The Keep Watch campaign reminds backyard pool owners of the importance of restricting a child’s access to the pool area with appropriate pool fencing, self closing and self latching gates, and constantly supervising children when they are in, on or around the pool,” says Bradley.
Click here to download the full report.
By The Splash Team
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