National Coastal Safety Report 2018 Surf Life Saving Australia Drowning Snapshot
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NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA DROWNING SNAPSHOT COASTAL & MALE OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS FEMALE Location AT THE BEACH OFFSHORE ROCK/CLIFF AT LEAST 5KM FROM A LIFESAVING SERVICE Activity 32% 25% 3 SWIMMING BOATING 23 13 6 39 9% 9% SNORKELLING ROCK 20 FISHING 6 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 04 SECTION ONE: SECTION THREE: COMMUNITY 06 DROWNING ANALYSIS 34 AUSTRALIAN POPULATION 08 NATIONAL OVERVIEW 36 COASTAL PARTICIPATION 09 DROWNING LOCATIONS 42 ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION 10 FEATURE: ALCOHOL & DRUGS 44 SWIMMING ABILITY 14 SNAPSHOT: RIP CURRENTS 46 RISK PERCEPTION 16 SNAPSHOT: BOATING 47 COASTAL RESCUES 17 SNAPSHOT: ROCK FISHING 48 SAFETY PRACTICES 18 SNAPSHOT: WATERCRAFT 49 FEATURE: NON-FATAL NEW SOUTH WALES 50 DROWNING 20 QUEENSLAND 52 VICTORIA 54 SECTION TWO: WESTERN AUSTRALIA 56 CAPABILITY 22 SOUTH AUSTRALIA 58 TASMANIA 60 CAPABILITY 24 NORTHERN TERRITORY 62 SURF LIFE SAVING SERVICES 26 MEMBERSHIP CAPACITY 27 ASSET CAPABILITY 28 RESCUES 29 PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS 30 FIRST AID 31 FEATURE: BEACH SAFET Y GLOSSARY 64 EQUIPMENT FUND 32 REFERENCE 66 INTRODUCTION he Australian coastline and related islands stretch for over Research into non-fatal coastal incidents has shown for each 50,000 kilometres, including more than 11,500 beaches. drowning death on the coast, there is on average one non-fatal TMore than 85 per cent of the population lives within 50 incident that requires hospitalisation. Children under 10 years kilometres of the coast, and arguably Australia’s most popular of age and women have a greater representation in non-fatal recreation destination, the beach. Recent research has resulted incidents compared to that of coastal drowning deaths. This in updated figures for visitations to the Australian coast, with an reaffirms the need to ensure education, awareness and safety estimated 300 million beach visitations annually. practices around water safety need to be applied across all ages, While Australia boasts some of the best beaches in the world, activities and gender. there are far too many situations along our coast that end in individuals, or groups, having to be rescued and treated for injuries or finding themselves in circumstances that cost them their lives. THIS ANALYSIS PROVIDES SLSA Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is the peak coastal water safety, CRITICAL EVIDENCE-BASED INSIGHTS drowning prevention and rescue authority in Australia. The role of the organisation is to reduce injury and loss of life along the coastal AND UNDERSTANDING TO ADDRESS areas of Australia, with a vision of zero preventable deaths. WATER SAFETY AND EDUCATION FOR The National Coastal Safety Report 2018 is a comprehensive summary and analysis of community perceptions, activities on the THE COMMUNITY. coast, coastal and ocean drowning deaths and related fatalities. This year’s report recognises 10,249 rescues were conducted around the country by SLS volunteers. Without these significant The National Coastal Safety Report 2018 acknowledges drowning efforts there would have been an additional is only part of the analysis that informs sound decision making • 512 coastal and ocean drowning deaths regarding coastal safety. This report includes research into first • 307 people with permanent incapacitating injuries aid treatments and preventative actions, as well as visitation, and • 1,435 people with injuries requiring follow up treatment.1 perceptions relating to coastal hazards. This analysis provides SLSA critical evidence-based insights and understanding to address While continuing to have a strong focus on coastal drowning water safety and education for the community. incidents, the National Coastal Safety Report 2018 includes a Surf Life Saving remains committed to the vision of zero complete overview of all coastal fatalities. A total 173 coastal preventable deaths along our coastline. The organisation is fatalities were recorded for 2017-18, with 110 of these drowning prepared to take on the challenges this poses, and through a deaths. The remaining 63 fatalities were due to other causes. commitment to collaboration and undertaking evidence-based The 2017-18 summer period, December to February, recorded research as part of the total strategy we will continue to work 52 coastal drowning deaths, making it the worst summer for towards this objective. coastal drowning from 2004. I commend this report to you as a vital tool to assist in Males continue to be overrepresented in the drowning death understanding and reducing drowning deaths on Australia’s statistics however, this year women recorded the highest coast and remind all that the data presented within this report is percentage of coastal drowning deaths for the 14-year period more than facts and figures, but represent someone’s family, friend with 20 per cent. or loved one. Adam Weir Chief Executive Officer Surf Life Saving Australia 1PWC (2011) What is the economic contribution of Surf Life Saving in Australia. SLSA: Sydney. SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 04 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 TOTAL SERVICE PLAN he Total Service Plan is SLSA’s national drowning Context reduction strategy and service plan. It is created using Drowning Statistics Non-fatal Drowning Data Tan iterative process of analysis and review to identify Operational Statistics coastal safety issues of national importance. This approach Market Research Population Data follows the public health model and is consistent with Participation/Behaviour Data international risk management principles. In collaboration with stakeholders, SLSA identifies coastal safety risks using incident monitoring, Coastal Safety Hub Risk Assessment coastal risk assessments and participation analysis. Risk Identification This information is analysed to identify the top Incident Tracking National Risk Register national coastal safety issues, priorities and Capability Statement Coastal Risk Assessments Participation/Behaviour blackspot areas that require intervention or Analysis mitigation strategies. Communication Monitoring Analysis THE NATIONAL SAFETY AGENDA and Consultation and Evaluation Market Research Coastal Safety Briefs Critical Incident Analysis Monitor Trends The issues and blackspots identified Stakeholder Consultation Trend Identification Target Identification Monitor and Evaluate Service/ GIS Analysis Case Studies through the Total Service Plan Councils, Committees Asset Deployment and Groups Evaluate Pilot Programs process form the basis of SLSA’s Conferences and Evaluate Research National Safety Agenda. The agenda Forums Evaluation influences lifesaving operations, National Coastal National Safety Agenda including services and equipment allocation. Safety Report National Coastal Strategic Research Safety Issues It drives public education, including evidence-based Agenda Blackspot Identification mitigation strategies, communications campaigns and pilot projects, and informs SLSA’s research plan. The Total Service Plan takes a risk management Treatment/Intervention Lifesaving and Support Services approach. It allows SLSA to use the evidence to ensure we Blackspot Reduction Program locate lifesaving services and assets in areas of need and have Beach Safety Equipment Fund Communication Campaigns appropriate public education programs and mitigation strategies Public Education and Training to address the coastal safety issues and known blackspots. Early Warning Systems Embedded in the process is continual monitoring and evaluation to ensure the treatments and interventions are effective in reducing drowning deaths along the Australian coast. Figure 1 The coastal safety needs of the Australian community TOTAL SERVICE PLAN PROCESS OVERVIEW reflected in the National Safety Agenda and the Surf Life Saving The Total Service Plan aligns with the International movement’s capacity and capability to meet these needs Standard ISO 31000:2018 framework, which provides are explored in the ‘Capability’ section of this report. principles and guidelines for risk management. NATIONAL SAFETY AGENDA ISSUES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 55+ RIP BOATING ROCK WATERCRAFT TOXICITY INTERNATIONAL SNORKELLING OVER DANGEROUS NEW CURRENTS FISHING & HEALTH TOURISTS & SCUBA DIVING 55 YEARS MARINE MIGRANTS CREATURES SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 05 INTRODUCTION COMMUNITY SECTION ONE At least 10M 11% 300M of Australian Swimming adults have ever Participants beach performed a visitations coastal annually rescue AUSTRALIAN POPULATION Figure 2 AUSTRALIAN POPULATION DENSITY PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA) This map shows the estimated Australian population density per LGA at June 2016. Most LGAs with a population density higher than 100 persons per square kilometre are located on Australia’s coastal fringe. Key to Population Density per LGA < 0.1 persons per km2 Darwin 0.1–1 persons per km2 1–10 persons per km2 10–100 persons per km2 > 100 persons per km2 Brisbane Perth Adelaide Sydney Canberra 0 1,000km Melbourne SCALE Hobart SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 08 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 COASTAL PARTICIPATION PWC Total: 2% 5 times per week 1-4 times per week Scuba Diving Total: 2% 1-3 times per month Rock Fishing Total: 6% 3-11 times per year less often Watercraft Total: 7% Surfing Total: 8% Snorkelling Total: 10% Boating Total: 13% Land-Based Total: 16% Fishing Swimming Total: 53% Figure 3 2018: COASTAL VISITATION BY ACTIVITY Questions: Which of the following coastal activities have you participated in during the past 12 months? How often do you participate in these activities? Swimming 10 million swimmers FREQUENT VS OCCASIONAL PARTICIPATION 3.5