National Coastal Safety Report 2018 Surf Life Saving Australia Drowning Snapshot

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 million frequent swimmers (at least once a month) Annually, there are at least 14.9 million coastal activity participants. 4 swimming hours per occasional swimmer per year On average Australians visit the coast 3.2 times per month. 75 swimming hours per frequent swimmer per year Watercraft Surfing 1.2 million watercraft users 1.5 million surfers 0.4 million frequent watercraft users (at least once a month) 0.7 million frequent surfers (at least once a month) 5 watercraft hours per occasional watercraft user per year 5 surfing hours per occasional surfer per year 100 watercraft hours per frequent watercraft user per year 175 surfing hours per frequent surfer per year

Land-based Fishing Rock Fishing 2.9 million fishers 1.1 million rock fishers 1 million frequent fishers (at least once a month) 0.5 million frequent rock fishers (at least once a month) 7 fishing hours per occasional fisher per year 7 fishing hours per occasional rock fisher per year 125 fishing hours per frequent fisher per year 175 fishing hours per frequent rock fisher per year

Scuba Diving Snorkelling 0.4 million scuba divers 1.9 million snorkellers 0.2 million frequent scuba divers (at least once a month) 0.4 million frequent snorkellers (at least once a month) 5 diving hours per occasional diver per year 3 snorkelling hours per occasional snorkeller per year 90 diving hours per frequent diver per year 145 snorkelling hours per frequent snorkeller per year

Boating Personal Water Craft (PWC) 2.4 million boaters 0.4 million PWC users 0.7 million frequent boaters (at least once a month) 0.1 million frequent PWC users (at least once a month) 6 boating hours per occasional boater per year 1.5 PWC hours per occasional PWC user per year 125 boating hours per frequent boater per year 50 PWC hours per frequent PWC user per year

SECTION ONE 09 COMMUNITY ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION COASTAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS: DEMOGRAPHIC & LOCATION SELECTION

2018: SWIMMING/WADING 2018: WATERCRAFT

51% 10M 49% 43% 57% Swimmin/ 1.2M Wadin Watercrat

Female Female Male Male

Figure 4 Figure 6 2018: SWIMMING/WADING PARTICIPATION BY GENDER 2018: WATERCRAFT PARTICIPATION BY GENDER

NT 49% SA 4%

QLD 52% VIC 6%

SA 52% WA 6%

VIC 53% TAS 6%

WA 54% NSW 6%

NSW 55% QLD 9%

TAS 63% NT 12%

Figure 5 Figure 7 2018: SWIMMING/WADING PARTICIPATION BY STATE 2018: WATERCRAFT PARTICIPATION BY STATE

CRAFT USE BY PARTICIPANTS

OF SWIMMERS SAY THEY HAVE 54% KAYAK BEEN CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT UNINTENTIONALLY 26% 45% STAND UP PADDLE BOARD

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 10 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 2018: BOATING & PWC 2018: FISHING

Rock Fishing PWC

2.4M 2.9M Boatin Land-based Land-based 44% 50% 50% 56% 43% 31% 69% 57% & Boating & Fishing 0.4M 1.1M PWC Roc

Female Female Male Male

Figure 8 Figure 10 2018: BOATING AND PWC PARTICIPATION BY GENDER 2018: FISHING PARTICIPATION BY TYPE AND GENDER

PWC Boating Rock Fishing Land-based Fishing

1% VIC 8% 5% VIC 8%

0% NT 10% 5% NT 15%

1% WA 13% 3% QLD 17%

5% SA 13% 6% WA 17%

1% NSW 15% 8% SA 18%

5% QLD 15% 8% NSW 19%

5% TAS 26% 10% TAS 23%

Figure 9 Figure 11 2018: BOATING AND PWC PARTICIPATION BY STATE 2018: FISHING PARTICIPATION BY TYPE AND STATE

SAFETY EQUIPMENT CARRIED PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE BEEN RESCUED

97% LIFEJACKETS 3% LAND-BASED FISHING

94% MOBILE PHONE 8% ROCK FISHING

SECTION ONE 11 COMMUNITY ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION COASTAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS: DEMOGRAPHIC & LOCATION SELECTION

2018: SURFING 2018: SNORKELLING & SCUBA DIVING

Scuba Snorkelling Diving 27% 21%

45% 1.9M Snorellin & 0.4M 55% 1.5M Scuba Diin Surﬁng 73% 79%

Female Female Male Male

Figure 12 Figure 14 2018: SURFING PARTICIPATION BY GENDER 2018: SNORKELLING AND SCUBA DIVING PARTICIPATION BY GENDER

Scuba Diving Snorkelling

VIC 6% 4% 0% NT 7%

SA 7% 3% VIC 8%

WA 7% 3% SA 9%

NT 7% 1% QLD 10%

QLD 9% 2% NSW 12%

NSW 10% 3% WA 12%

TAS 12% 3% TAS 14%

Figure 13 Figure 15 2018: SURFING PARTICIPATION BY STATE 2018: SCUBA DIVING AND SNORKELLING PARTICIPATION BY STATE

SURFER DEMOGRAPHIC PARTICIPANT LOCATION PREFERENCES

20% 31% 70% 84% OF ADULTS AGED SURFERS CONSIDER SNORKELLERS CONSIDER SCUBA DIVERS CONSIDER 16-24 GO SURFING THEMSELVES BEGINNERS UNDERSEA VISIBILITY AS MARINE WILDLIFE AS THE THE MOST IMPORTANT MOST IMPORTANT

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 12 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION FREQUENCY AND EXPERTISE

6.5 Frequent Occasional

3.5

1.9 1.7 1.6

1.0 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1

Swimming Land-based Boating Surfing Snorkelling Watercraft Rock Fishing Scuba Diving PWC Fishing

Figure 16 2018: PARTICIPANTS (MILLIONS) IN COASTAL ACTIVITIES

Beginner Intermediate Advanced Cant say

9% 2% 4% 4% 1%

17% 23% 24% 24% 29% 30% 25% 22% 56%

48% 45% 55% 54% 42% 41% 39% 43%

20%

35% 31% 29% 29% 24% 28% 19% 23% 23%

Swimming Rock Fishing Land-based Fishing Scuba Diving Boating PWC Snorkelling Surfing Watercraft

Figure 17 2018: PARTICIPANT INDICATED LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE OR EXPERTISE IN COASTAL ACTIVITIES

SECTION ONE 13 COMMUNITY SWIMMING ABILITY CONFIDENCE IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

Ocean

OF ADULTS SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO SWIM OR Overall ARE WEAK SWIMMERS IN THE OCEAN 64% 64% 43% can’t swim 50m 57% 36% 45% in te ocean witout stoppin

ALMOST 1/3 OF No / Can’t say AUSTRALIAN ADULTS SAY Yes THEY ARE COMPETENT OR HIGHLY COMPETENT SWIMMERS OVERALL 1/3 Figure 18 2018: ABILITY TO SWIM 50M WITHOUT STOPPING

34% Swimming ability overall Swimming ability in ocean 32% 31%

26%

23%

16%

12% 10%

7% 6%

1% 2% Unable to swim Weak swimmer Average swimmer Competent swimmer Highly competent swimmer Can't say

Figure 19 2018: SWIMMING ABILITY OF AUSTRALIAN ADULTS OVERALL VS IN THE OCEAN

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 14 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 8% 8%

20% 10% 27% Can float & gently swim for about 30% I cannot float or swim 15 min I can comfortably float for over 1 minute and swim a little distance 19% OF ADULTS SAY 27% I can comfortably float and gently swim for about 15 minutes I can comfortably float and gently swim for up to 30 minutes I can comfortably float and gently swim for up to 60 minutes THEY HAVE I can swim constantly for over one hour and float as long as I wish Can't say NEVER SWUM

Figure 20 50M OR MORE 2018: UNAIDED SWIMMING ABILITY OF AUSTRALIAN ADULTS IN COASTAL AREAS IN THE OCEAN

Unable to swim / Weak swimmer Average swimmer Competent / Highly competent swimmer Cant say

1% 5% 1% 2% 1%

31% 38% 37% 40% 45% 40% 51% 55%

71%

39% 31% 28% 35% 27% 31% 25%

33%

31% 31% 21% 30% 28% 27% 24% 24% 10% 7% PWC Boating Swimming Rock Fishing Land-based Snorkelling Watercraft Surfing Scuba Diving Fishing

Figure 21 2018: OCEAN SWIMMING ABILITY OF PARTICIPANTS IN COASTAL ACTIVITIES

SECTION ONE 15 COMMUNITY RISK PERCEPTION HAZARD PERCEPTION OF COAST AND COASTAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION

Coast isk perception of coastal participants has been Beach surveyed by SLSA for five years and has shown some 46% 44% Rclear disparities between percieved risk and reality. 41% The National Coastal Safety Survey in 2018 asked coastal activity participants how hazardous they believe activities are and also how safe the same activities are. Figure 23 shows 26% that when considering their ‘safety’ risk perception increases 23% 9% on average. The most significant difference in perception is in snorkelling, which has become more prominent in both 11% participation and drowning statistics in recent years.

Extremely or Somewhat Not very or very hazardous hazardous not at all hazardous

Figure 22 2018: HAZARD PERCEPTION OF THE COAST AND BEACH ENVIRONMENTS

Etremely haardous / very haardous Not very safe / not safe at all 63%

52%

42%

35% 32% 30% 28% 26% 25% 25% 21% 19% 17% 14% 14% 12% 13% 9% 6% 7%

Wading Land-based Swimming Boating Snorkelling Watercraft Surfing Scuba Diving PWC Rock Fishing Fishing

Figure 23 2018: THE DIFFERENCE IN COASTAL ACTIVITY PERCEPTION WHEN ASKED HOW ‘SAFE’ IT IS COMPARED TO HOW ‘HAZARDOUS’ IT IS

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 16 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 COASTAL RESCUES ACTIVITIES AND EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IN COASTAL RESCUES

Have you ever been rescued when participating in these activities Have you ever rescued someone when you were participating in these activities 23%

19%

14% 13% 12% 12%

8% 7% 7% 6%

4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 0% 1% Land-based Fishing PWC Snorkelling Rock Fishing Boating Watercraft Swimming Scuba Diving Surfing

Figure 24 2018: PARTICIPANTS IN COASTAL ACTIVITIES WHO HAVE EVER BEEN RESCUED OR PERFORMED A RESCUE WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES

3% 3% 6% 2% 2% 30% 9%

37% 60% 60% 37% Didn’t use a Were rescued 18% None rescue deice A board b a lieuard A lifejacket An angel ring / a life buoy By a lifeguard A rescue tube By someone I knew Another ﬂotation device 31% By someone else / a stranger Can't say, can't remember Can't remember

Figure 25 Figure 26 2018: EQUIPMENT USED BY PARTICIPANTS 2018: WHO PERFORMED THE RESCUE FOR WHO HAVE PERFORMED RESCUES PARTICIPANTS IN COASTAL ACTIVITIES

SECTION ONE 17 COMMUNITY SAFETY PRACTICES SAFETY MEASURES SWIMMERS TAKE IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

Rely on rips signs on the beach 1%

Depends upon the sea / water conditions 2%

I am a good swimmer 2%

I follow other people / swim where other people swim 3%

Calm water / no surf 3%

Don't care / can't be bothered 4%

Other 4%

No rips on my beach / no rips where I go 5%

I know the beach well / I know where the rips are / I know it's safe 6%

Sometimes rips are hard to identify 8%

Because I swim between the ﬂags / because of the ﬂags 11%

I don't go far in the ocean / don't go deep / knee or waist high 12%

Lazy / don't always pay attention / forget 17%

Don't know what to look for / not able to identify a rip 28%

Figure 27 2018: THE REASONS WHY AUSTRALIAN ADULTS DON’T ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE PRESENCE OF RIP CURRENT

Like secluded / quiet beach 2%

Like to visit other beaches 4%

Cant say 5%

I am a good / confident swimmer 6%

Feel safe where I go /swim 6%

I only go in knee or waist high 7%

Too crowded / too many people 12%

No patrolled beach close to where I live 25%

Swim outside patrol hours 32%

Figure 28 2018: THE REASONS WHY AUSTRALIAN ADULTS DON’T ALWAYS SWIM AT A PATROLLED BEACH DURING PARTOL HOURS

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 18 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 3% 8% SLS recognises coastal and beach visitations in Australia are increasing and not everyone recreates at a patrolled location. 38% 38% 25% Swim at patrolled It is essential that beachgoers beaces durin understand the risks and hazards patrol ours Patrolled beach during that exist and how to stay safe. patrol hours only This highlights the importance of Patrolled beach, but not always during patrolled hours public education initiatives to prevent 26% Unpatrolled beach coastal injury and drowning. Coastal Pools Can't say

Figure 29 2018: USUAL SWIMMING LOCATION FOR COASTAL SWIMMERS

0 alcoholic drinks 1 or 2 standard alcoholic drinks 3 or more standard alcoholic drinks

8% 3% 1% 5% 16% 3% 6% 2% 11% 14% 3% 13% 20% 17% 19% 21% 13%

31%

91% 83% 85% 75% 75% 76% 69% 70%

51%

Land-based Rock Fishing Watercraft Swimming Boating Surfing PWC Snorkelling Scuba Diving Fishing

Figure 30 2018: THE NUMBER OF STANDARD ALCOHOLIC DRINKS COASTAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS BELIEVE IS REASONABLE TO CONSUME BEFORE UNDERTAKING ACTIVITIES Note: where data doesn’t add up to 100% there were participants who answered ‘can’t say’.

SECTION ONE 19 COMMUNITY FEATURE: NON-FATAL DROWNING NON-FATAL DROWNING OVERVIEW 2002-15

2,190 he focus of drowning prevention research has long Beach Other been on fatal drowning. However, this is only 1,870 Large area of water Stream of water part of the total drowning toll. Non-fatal drowning 1,607 T Area of still water incidents are more difficult to quantify but represent a significant part of the total impact of drowning. 495

173 Between 2002 and 2015, there were 6,158 cases of non-fatal drowning recorded across all aquatic environments 648 491 (including swimming pools, bath tubs and natural waters

(Fig.31)). Beaches, the only quantifiable coastal environment 46 245 in this dataset, accounted for 495 (8%) of the incidents. This represents an average of 38 non-fatal beach drowning cases Swimming Natural water Bath tub Other or pool unspecified per year.

It is likely that there are more non-fatal cases that have Figure 31 occurred within the coastal environment however, due to 2002-15: LOCATION OF NON-FATAL DROWNING INCIDENTS hospital coding limitations they are indeterminable at this stage. (n=6,158)

495 38 77% 25% NON-FATAL DROWNING NON-FATAL DROWNING MALE UNDER AGE OF16 INCIDENTS BETWEEN 2002-15 INCIDENTS PER YEAR

Female Male 6 13

8 9 15

10 11 9 7 46 8 1 12 38 39 34 10 31 28 26 26 26 24 23 20 15

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

Figure 32 2002-15: NON-FATAL DROWNING INCIDENTS ON THE BEACH BY YEAR AND GENDER (n=495)

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 20 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 FEATURE: NON-FATAL DROWNING COMPARISON OF FATAL AND NON-FATAL DROWNING AT BEACHES 2004-15

o calculate ratios of fatal to non-fatal drowning incidents, RATIO FATAL : NON-FATAL the total number of fatal beach drowning incidents Twere revised to match the much narrower definition of drowning used by the non-fatal data. Therefore, the number of fatal beach drowning cases in this section is lower than reported 1:1.08 in other sections of the report.

The average ratio of fatal to non-fatal drowning from 2004 to 2015 is 1:1.08. This indicates that for every fatal drowning on 0-4 YEAR OLD RATIO FATAL a beach, there are 1.08 non-fatal beach drowning incidents. FATAL : NON-FATAL DROWNING

The rate is highly variable across age groups – young children (0-4) show the highest ratio (38.00) indicating that for every fatal 1:38 beach drowning there are 38 non-fatal ones. On the other end of the spectrum, the oldest age group (75+) represents the lowest ratio (0.38) indicating that for every three fatal beach drowning 75+ YEAR OLD RATIO NON-FATAL deaths one non-fatal drowning occurs. FATAL : NON-FATAL DROWNING

For more information, see the Coastal Safety Brief – Beaches on www.sls.com.au/publications 1:0.38

Non-fatal Fatal

97 92 88 82 83

52 71 67 25 46 62 62 52 38 57 55

43 35 33 25 31 32

58 45 44 46 36 29 32 32 31 28 23

2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

Figure 33 2004-15: FATAL AND NON-FATAL BEACH DROWNING INCIDENTS BY YEAR (n=816)

SECTION ONE 21 COMMUNITY

CAPABILITY SECTION TWO

10,249 48,371 1,371,455 RESCUES PROFICIENT MEMBERS VOLUNTEER PATROL HOURS

1,095 314 377 IRBs Clubs Helicopter Missions CAPABILITY

urf Life Saving (SLS) has significant capability to provide A fleet of 12 offshore rescue boats (ORBs) and 10 rigid-hull coastal surveillance patrols and aquatic search and inflatable boats (RIBs) further extend the SLS response capability Srescue (SAR) operations, working in close partnership providing longer range surveillance, blue-water rescue and SAR with police and other emergency services. operations. These services are expertly delivered and managed by the 40,371 Bronze Medallion holders and 8,000 Surf Rescue Certificate holders (totalling 48,371 proficient surf lifesavers) SLS SERVICES EXTEND BEYOND through the 314 Surf Life Saving Clubs. This is alongside 700 THE RED AND YELLOW FLAGS TO fulltime, seasonal and casual lifeguards. Surf lifesavers and lifeguards receive specialised training to industry best-practice PROVIDE SURVEILLANCE AND standards under the Australian Qualifications Framework EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN ISOLATED ensuring the community receives consistent service of the highest quality across the nation. AND HAZARDOUS COASTAL AREAS. Radio communications provide support to all services via SLS coastal radio networks or government radio networks, which are AUSTRALIAN LIFEGUARD SERVICE connected to SLS communication and operation centres. These The Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) is a national lifeguard centres provide operational support, data management and provider of beach and pool lifeguard services to 64 local when required coordinate the SLS emergency response system. government councils and land managers across Australia. It is the largest supplier of professional lifeguards in Australia. VOLUNTEER SURF LIFESAVERS ALS operations are fully integrated into the 24-hour surf Our volunteer surf lifesavers are provided with fit-for-purpose emergency response system and work with SLS’s volunteer equipment designed to operate in the hazardous and challenging lifesaving services including the strategically located Westpac conditions that SLS services encounter. Surf lifesavers utilise Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Services. thousands of rescue boards and rescue tubes mostly around ALS patrols provide a range of services, from single-day patrols the red and yellow flagged patrol areas. They are supported by on periods of peak attendance (i.e. public holidays) to 365-day 1,095 inflatable rescue boats, allowing surf lifesavers to quickly services for local governments. They are a crucial component navigate the surf zone and inshore environment. in offering a seamless service to the community during peak Roving surveillance patrols that actively monitor stretches periods. Several councils around Australia operate internal of coastline near a primary patrolled areas are vital to the SLS lifeguard services. Statistics for those services have not been drowning prevention strategy. Surf lifesavers undertake these included in this report. patrols using 503 side-by-side (SSV) and 4WD vehicles. SLS services extend beyond the red and yellow flags to provide WESTPAC LIFESAVER RESCUE HELICOPTERS surveillance and emergency response in isolated and hazardous For rapid, isolated or complex rescues, nine Westpac Lifesaver coastal areas. Agile craft such as 162 rescue water craft (RWC) Rescue Helicopters provide aerial support to lifesaving and six jet rescue boats (JRBs) allow surf lifesavers to access services and further extend our surveillance and SAR capability. white-water areas such as coastal bars and rocky coastlines. These important assets also support police and other emergency services in a range of emergency and disaster situations.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 24 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 SILVER MEDALLION SILVER IRB GOLD IRB DRIVER SILVER MEDALLION CREW MEDALLION 8,062 MEDALLION BEACH (ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS CERTIFICATE MANAGEMENT LIFESAVING) CENTRE 14,653 9,959 734 OPERATOR 57

RADIO BRONZE OPERATOR MEDALLION CERTIFICATE 40,371 SPINAL 6,390 MANAGEMENT 7,171

SILVER FIRST AID MEDALLION 12,455 ADVANCED ADVANCED FIRST AID 209 RESUSCITATION SILVER TECHNIQUES MEDALLION 9,878 AQUATIC RESCUE 599

Figure 34 2017–18: QUALIFICATIONS HELD BY BRONZE MEDALLION HOLDERS 40,371 proficient Bronze Medallion holders also are proficient in eleven other lifesaving awards, totaling over 70,000 additional lifesaving qualifications. This highlights the large amount of additional volunteer training our surf lifesavers undertake to ensure they are highly skilled first responders.

Advanced Resuscitation Techniques AID 9,878 142 First Aid AID 12,455 1,551 Gold Medallion Advanced Lifesaving 734 IRB Crew Certificate 14,653 Radio Operator Certificate 6,390 1,704 Silver Medallion Advanced First Aid AID 209 Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue 599 Silver Medallion Beach Management 9,959 Silver Medallion Communications Centre Operator 57 Silver Medallion IRB Driver 8,062 Spinal Management 7,171 Award held by Brone Medallion holders Surf Rescue Certificate CPR Endorsed 8,000 Award held by non-Brone Medallion holders

Figure 35 2017–18: TOTAL QUALIFICATIONS OF SURF LIFESAVERS

SECTION TWO 25 CAPABILITY SURF LIFE SAVING SERVICES

Figure 36 2017–18: SURF LIFE SAVING SERVICES There are 314 Surf Life Saving Clubs around Australia: 129 in New South Wales, 58 in Queensland, 57 in Victoria, 31 in Western Australia, 22 in South Australia, 14 in Tasmania and 3 in Northern Territory.

The Australian Lifeguard Service provides 231 lifeguard services around Australia: 90 in New South Wales, 79 in Queensland, 37 in Victoria, 17 in Western Australia, 2 in South Australia, 1 in Tasmania and 5 in Northern Territory.

Darwin

137 48

24 Brisbane

219 Perth

Adelaide Sydney Canberra 94 Melbourne 0 1,000km SCALE

15 Hobart

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 26 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 MEMBERSHIP CAPACITY

17,910 Brone Medallion Surf Rescue Certificate CPR Endorsed

8,629 6,220 4,431 3,513 2,944 1,040 1,406 1,324 620 639 78 149 19 NSW LD IC WA SA TAS NT

Figure 37 2017–18: PROFICIENT SURF LIFESAVERS There was a total of 40,371 proficient Bronze Medallion holders and 8,000 Surf Rescue Certificate holders.

12,344 Male Female

6,558 5,535 3,752 3,256 2,879 2,697 2,115 1,555 1,138 490 256 86 72 NSW QLD VIC WA SA TAS NT

Figure 38 2017–18: PATROLLING SURF LIFESAVERS There was a total of 42,740 members who performed a patrol. This includes 7 unspecified gender.

2017-18: PATROLLING SURF LIFESAVERS 5% 12% 12% 2%

14% 3636%% 17% No Gear 14% 36% Rescue Tube 18% 62% Board Board 36% Board Rescue Tube IRB 12% MALE RWC RWC 17% 17% No Gear JRB/ORB/RIB 0% 14% IRB Helicopter 0% Other 1818%% Surfboard 0% Other 2% 38% FEMALE Figure 39 2017-18: EQUIPMENT USE IN RESCUES

SECTION TWO 27 CAPABILITY ASSET CAPABILITY

Figure 40 2017–18: SLS MAJOR ASSET LOCATION AND SERVICE RANGE SLS maintains a fleet of 162 rescue water craft (RWC), as well as 6 jet rescue boats (JRB), 10 rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIB), 12 offshore rescue boats and 9 rescue helicopters. Their locations and service ranges are depicted on this map.

Key to Asset Location

Darwin Jet Rescue Boat (JRB)

Rigid-hull Inﬂatable Boat (RIB) Offshore Rescue Boat (ORB)

Rescue Helicopter

Brisbane

Perth

Adelaide Sydney Canberra

Melbourne 0 1,000km SCALE

Hobart

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 28 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 RESCUES

Figure 41 2017–18: RESCUES PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA) SLS lifesavers, lifeguards and lifesaving services performed 10,249 rescues across 119 LGAs around Australia.

Key to Rescues per LGA

1 - 9 Rescues Darwin 10 - 49 Rescues

50 - 149 Rescues

150 - 399 Rescues

> 400 Rescues

185

2,841 726

250 Brisbane

Perth 5,299

Adelaide Sydney Canberra 855 Melbourne 0 1,000km SCALE

93 Hobart

SECTION TWO 29 CAPABILITY PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS

Figure 42 2017–18: PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA) SLS lifesavers, lifeguards and lifesaving services performed 1,529,494 preventative actions across 119 LGAs around Australia.

Key to Preventative Actions per LGA

1 - 1,449 Actions Darwin 1,500 - 4,999 Actions

5,000 - 19,999 Actions

20,000 - 99,999 Actions

> 100,000 Actions

6,233

702,185 63,013

11,355 Brisbane

Perth 500,149

Adelaide Sydney Canberra

Melbourne 0 1,000km SCALE 237,334 9,225 Hobart

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 30 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 FIRST AID

Figure 43 2017–18: FIRST AID PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA) SLS lifesavers, lifeguards and lifesaving services performed 65,296 first aid treatments across 119 LGAs around Australia.

Key to First Aid Incidents per LGA

1 - 49 Incidents Darwin 50 - 349 Incidents

350 - 649 Incidents

650 - 2,999 Incidents

> 3,000 Incidents

577

35,156 5,136

Brisbane 1,391

Perth 19,357

Adelaide Sydney Canberra

Melbourne 0 1,000km SCALE 3,598 81 Hobart

SECTION TWO 31 CAPABILITY FEATURE: BEACH SAFETY EQUIPMENT FUND

he Australian Government, through the Beach Safety Beaches and inland waterways were identified as high-risk Equipment Fund (BSEF) provided Australian Surf Life locations for drowning deaths as part of the Australian Water T Saving Clubs with $8 million of additional funding over Safety Strategy 2016-2020. five years (2013-2018) to purchase vital safety equipment. Looking after the safety and welfare of over 300 million visitors The BSEF equated to an additional $1.6 million per year for to Australian beaches is the responsibility of the world’s largest five years, providing on average approximately $5,000 per volunteer water safety organisation, Surf Life Saving Australia. year to each of the nation’s 314 Surf Life Saving Clubs. The BSEF has achieved its intended purpose to deliver coordinated The Australian Government worked with Australia’s key water financial support to Surf Life Saving Australia’s affiliated clubs safety agencies to identify priority areas to promote water to purchase over 10,000 pieces of vital rescue and first-aid safety and reducing both fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents. equipment as detailed on the right.

Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club members and the Hon Michael Keenan MP, Member for Stirling, Western Australia. Photo is from Stirling Times (2018) .

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 32 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 DEFIBRILLATOR OXYGEN RESUSCITATION EQUIPMENT

FIRST AID KIT SPINAL 222 339 MANAGEMENT FUEL CELLS IRB MOTOR

TRAINING SIDE BY SIDE EQUIPMENT VEHICLE 138 120 RESCUE MANIKINS IRB HULL MOTOR PROPELLER GUARD

OTHER RESCUE PPE INCLUDING & LIFESAVING LIFE JACKETS EQUIPMENT

RESCUE TUBES AND ANCILLARY RADIOS & EQUIPMENT ACCESSORIES

TOTAL EQUIPMENT

RESCUE BOARDS 10,245 DROWNING ANALYSIS SECTION THREE

110 COASTAL & OCEAN 80% 20% DROWNING DEATHS MALE FEMALE

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS 2004-18

Medical Condition Rip Currents or Injury Alcohol/Drugs 19% 26% 19% SECTION HEADING SECTION 01 NATIONAL OVERVIEW 2004-18: 14-YEAR REVIEW

No Cause of Death listed Cause of Death listed 150 0.6 128 118 119 114 120 108 110 102 0.5 95 89 89 85 90 80 80 69 0.4 60 Number (n)

0.3

30 Rate (per 100,000 pop.)

0 0.0 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

Figure 44 2004-18: 14-YEAR TREND OF NATIONAL COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS National coastal and ocean drowning death numbers and crude 0.44 99 drowning rates for 2004-18 are illustrated above. The 2017-18 rate 14-YEAR AVERAGE RATE 14-YEAR AVERAGE per 100,000 population is 0.44, exactly on the 14-year average. PER 100,000 POPULATION DROWNING DEATHS

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 31 35 4 4 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 19 28 4 0 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 8 3 6 10 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 12 10 4 3

Figure 45 2004-18: 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY Nationally, the number of activity types being undertaken when coastal and ocean drowning deaths occur varies over time. In 2017-18, the number of drowning deaths while swimming/wading, boating and snorkelling were above the 14-year average, while watercraft, rock fishing, scuba diving and fall related incidents were below the 14-year average. The number of drowning deaths while attempting a rescue were the same as the 14-year average.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 36 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 2004-18: KEY DEMOGRAPHICS IN COASTAL 3% & OCEAN DROWNING STATISTICS 2% 1% 2% The 25-34 year old age group represents 19% of all drowning 16% deaths. The 50-64 year old age group accounts for 24% of all drowning deaths. 51% 51% Australia Asia Australia Europe 24% Oceania North America 86% Africa MALE South America 14% Figure 46 FEMALE 2004-18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS BY REGION OF BIRTH Region of birth is currently known for 68% of all coastal and ocean drowning deaths (n=948). Half (51%) were born in Australia. When breaking it down to countries, the top 3 are & Australia (n=486), UK (n=83) and China (n=59). 25-34 50-64 YEARS OF AGE YEARS OF AGE

15% 10% 9% 12% 8% 7% 9% 6% 5% 6% 4% 3% 3% 2% 1% 0 0% July June May April 1-2am 2-3am 3-4am 4-5am 5-6am 6-7am 7-8am 8-9am 1-2pm 2-3pm 3-4pm 4-5pm 5-6pm 6-7pm 7-8pm 8-9pm March August 9-10am 12-1pm 9-10pm January 12-1 am October 10-11am 11-12am 11-12pm 10-11pm February December November September

Figure 47 Figure 48 2004-18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING 2004-18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS BY MONTH DEATHS BY TIME The highest percentage of coastal and ocean drowning deaths Incident time is currently known for 79% of all coastal and ocean occurred in the month of January (n=210), followed by December drowning deaths (n=1,101). The highest density of fatalities (n=172) and March (n=160). Sixty-three per cent occurred outside occurred between 1pm and 5pm (n=427). of the summer months. Shading denotes seasons.

SECTION THREE 37 DROWNING ANALYSIS NATIONAL OVERVIEW 2017-18: 1-YEAR REVIEW

n the National Coastal Safety Report 2017, SLSA commenced reporting on coastal aquatic fatalities other 110 63 Ithan the drowning deaths it traditionally covers. These DROWNING OTHER AQUATIC include fatalities due to medical conditions, injuries, marine DEATHS FATALITIES wildlife and other causes. Coastal aquatic fatalities occur during a range of activities and in a range of locations, impacting on the community similarly to drowning related incidents. They often have long term, devastating impacts to family, friends and loved ones in addition to those who are involved in trying to save their 88 22 COASTAL OCEAN lives. Through research we can obtain greater understanding of how these other coastal fatalities occur and be better informed to undertake and implement preventative education and awareness campaigns and services. We can also ensure that the SLS community and other emergency services are appropriately 13% skilled and informed to address such situations.

In 2017-18, a total of 110 coastal drowning deaths were recorded. However, SLSA recorded a further 63 coastal fatalities 51% taking the total number of coastal aquatic deaths to 173. Coastal 51%

36% Drownin Acknowledging that 36 per cent of coastal aquatic deaths Deats is not as a result of drowning creates a range of challenges for Coastal Drowning Aquatic Fatality the greater community, SLS and all other aquatic emergency Ocean Drowning service agencies. Understanding the type of incidents that occur and the contributing elements and causes that lead to the fatality will assist all to help reduce incidents in the future. Figure 49 2017-18: OVERVIEW OF DROWNING DEATHS AND FATALITIES PER CATEGORY

60 Ocean Drowning Aquatic Fatality 50 Coastal Drowning

20 Number (n)

0 NSW QLD VIC WA SA TAS NT

Figure 50 2017–18: OVERVIEW OF DROWNING DEATHS AND AQUATIC FATALITIES PER STATE

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 38 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 Coastal drowning death Coastal aquatic fatality Coastal drowning death Darwin or aquatic fatality

23 | 9

13 | 11

6 | 8 Brisbane

39 | 21 Perth

Adelaide Sydney Canberra

Melbourne 0 1,000km SCALE 20 | 6

Hobart 6 | 7

Figure 51 2017-18: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS AND COASTAL AQUATIC FATALITIES BY STATE In 2017-18 there were 110 coastal and ocean drowning deaths and 63 coastal aquatic fatalities. Red numbers indicate coastal and ocean drowning deaths per state. Blue numbers indicate coastal aquatic fatalities per state. The black number indicates both coastal drowning deaths and aquatic fatalities combined where the total incident number was lower than 5.

SECTION THREE 39 DROWNING ANALYSIS NATIONAL OVERVIEW 2017-18: 1-YEAR REVIEW

14 Male Female 0.06

12 0.05

10 0.04

8 0.03 6

Number (n) 0.02 4 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 0.01 2

0 0.00 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+

Figure 52 2017-18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS BY AGE AND GENDER (n=110) The age group representing the highest rate of fatality is 40-44 (0.05 rate per 100,000 pop.). This is also the age group where females made up almost half (46%) of the drowning deaths. Overall, 80% (n=88) of fatalities were male.

6% 8% 7% 2%

3% 2% 32% 3% 20% 42% 4% Swimming/Wading Boating 32% Snorkelling 9% Swimmin/ Rock Fishing 42% Attempting a Rescue Wadin Fall Beac Beach Watercraft Offshore 9% Jump Rock/Cliff 25% Other 28% Bay Unknown Jetty

Figure 53 Figure 54 2017-18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING 2017-18: LOCATION OF COASTAL & OCEAN DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=110) DROWNING DEATHS (n=110) The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths occurred at a occurred while swimming or wading (n=35), beach (n=46), offshore (n=31) or at rock/cliff locations (n=22). boating (n=28), snorkelling (n=10) or rock fishing (n=10). Beach locations show a decrease (48% in 2015-16 and 43% in 2016-17) while offshore and rock/cliff locations show an increase from last year (26% and 15% respectively in 2016-17).

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 40 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 25 14-year average drowning deaths

22 20

17 15 15 13 10

Number (n) 12 8 7 5 6 4 4 1 1 0 July August September October November December January February March April May June

Figure 55 2017-18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS PER MONTH (n=110) Of the 110 coastal and ocean drowning deaths, 47% (n=52) happened over the summer months (Dec-Feb) which is the highest on record from 2004 (average n=37). Dark-red squares indicate the 14-year average drowning deaths per month.

5% 22% 10% 26% 31% 31% 42% Less tan More tan 1m 50m 27% <10km 42% <1km 17% 10-50km 1-5km >50km 27% > 5km International Ocean Unknown

Figure 56 Figure 57 2017–18: DISTANCE FROM DROWNING LOCATION 2017–18: DISTANCE FROM RESIDENCE TO A LIFESAVING SERVICE (n=110) TO DROWNING LOCATION (n=110) Thirty-four individuals (31%) drowned within 1km of the Twenty-nine individuals lived less than 10km from the nearest lifesaving service. Almost half (45%) of incidents drowning location. 57 individuals (52%) lived more than happened further than 5km from a lifesaving service. 50km from the incident location or were international visitors.

SECTION THREE 41 DROWNING ANALYSIS 3

2 2 2 3 2 DARWIN DROWNING LOCATIONS 2 20 04 –18

7 2 2 3 2 2

2 2 2

2 5 2

2 2

3 2

2 5 3 169206 2 4 2 169 2

3 3 2

2 7 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 2 BRISBANE 4 2 2 5 1 6 2 8 2 17 2 3 2 5 5 2 2 2 9 2 2 2 2 5 2 2 2 5 2 4 2 3 2 2 3 3 9 2 2 5 2 Figure 58 4 4 2 2 4 2 2 4 4 2004–18: COASTAL DROWNING PERTH 3 2 2 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 3 3 DEATHS BY ACTIVITY 2 3 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 4 8 2 2 2 8 12 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 3 3 3 2 3 6 5 5 3 2 2 ADELAIDE SYDNEY 7 2 2 8 4 4 13 11 6 9 3 3 3 2 2 KEY TO DROWNING ACTIVITY 2 12 21 8 4 4 3 2 2 2 5 2 3 4 11 11 6 5 4 2 2 Attempting a Rescue CANBERRA 2 2 2 8 2 2 2 2 3 5 4 3 2 MELBOURNE 2 3 Boating 4 2 5 9 3 2 3 3 3 3 5 Scuba Diving 5 3 2 4 2 2 4 2 2 2 5 4 4 2 Rock Fishing 3 2 2 2 2 0 1,000km 3 4 4 2 Fall 2 Jump SCALE 2 5 2 2 Snorkelling 3 2 2 3 Swimming/Wading 2 2 Watercraft 4 3 3 4 2 4 2 3 4 4 2 2 Other Unknown 2 2 Multiple instances per activity at the same location 2 Capital city HOBART 9

2 3 2 3 SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 42 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 3 3 3

2 2 2 3 2 DARWIN

7 2 2 3 2 2

2 2 2

2 31 5 2

2 2

3 236 2

2 5 3

2 4 2 2

3 3 2

2 7 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 2 BRISBANE 4 2 2 5 1 6 105 2 8 2 17 2 3 2 5 5 2 2 2 9 2 2 2 2 5 2 2 2 5 2 4 2 3 2 2 3 529 3 9 2 2 5 2 4 4 2 2 4 2 2 4 4 PERTH 3 2 2 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 3 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 4 8 2 2 2 8 12 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 3 3 3 2 3 6 5 5 3 2 2 ADELAIDE SYDNEY 7 2 2 8 4 4 13 11 6 9 3 3 3 2 2 2 12 21 8 4 4 3 2 2 2 5 2 3 4 11 11 6 5 4 2 2 213 CANBERRA 2 2 2 8 2 2 2 2 3 5 4 3 2 MELBOURNE 2 3 4 2 5 9 3 2 3 3 3 3 5 5 3 2 4 2 2 4 2 2 2 5 4 4 2 3 2 2 2 2 0 1,000km 3 4 4 2 2 SCALE 2 5 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2

4 3 3 4 2 4 2 3 4 4 2 2

2 HOBART 66 9

2 3 2 3 3 3 FEATURE: ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

A risk factor for drowning, non-fatal drowning and injury associated with aquatic activity is alcohol and drug misuse. Nineteen per cent (n=257) of drowning deaths that occurred on the coast are attributed to alcohol and drugs. Males aged 20 to 54 are highly represented (54%). Almost half (48%, n=124) of all cases occurred more than 5km away from the nearest 18 surf life saving service. 55 41 16 74% AGED 20-54 67

87% 13% 40 MALE FEMALE 20

Both Alcohol and Drugs Drugs Alcohol

25 25 25 24

21 21 20 20 19 17 17 17 16 15 15 14

6 5

0 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

Figure 59 2004-18: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO ALCOHOL AND DRUGS BY YEAR (n=257) The number of drowning deaths involving alcohol, drugs or both varies over time. Note that 86% of 2017-18 cases are still open in NCIS and no reliable toxicity data is available for these yet.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 44 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 26% 40%

40% OF ALCOHOL RELATED 26% COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS Bot Alcool WERE 4 TIMES OR MORE ABOVE and Drus THE LEGAL LIMIT Alcohol 34% Drugs Both Alcohol and Drugs MOST ENCOUNTERED DRUGS

Figure 60 2004-18: ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED 1. THC (CANNABIS) DROWNING DEATHS (n=257) Of the cases where alcohol and drugs were involved, 40% consumed alcohol only, 34% consumed drugs only 2. AMPHETAMINES and 26% had both in their system.

3. PRESCRIPTION

LOCATION OF DROWNING 12%

6% 30% Swimming/Wading 2% Boating 3% BEACH Watercraft 43% 3% 30% Fall 4% Rock Fishing Swimmin/ Snorkelling 6% Scuba Diving Wadin Attempting a Rescue 7% 21% Land-based Fishing Other 18% OFFSHORE 7% Unknown

Figure 61 2004-18: ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n= 257) 17% ROCK/CLIFF Swimming (n=76) and boating (n=54) are the two activities with the highest amount of alcohol and drug related drowning deaths.

SECTION THREE 45 DROWNING ANALYSIS SNAPSHOT: RIP CURRENTS 2004-2018

DROWNING DEATHS 262 4 AVERAGE DROWNING AVERAGE FATALITY RATE 49 DEATHS PER YEAR 0.09 21 PER 100,000 POPULATION 19 19 127 KEY DEMOGRAPHIC AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS, BORN IN AUSTRALIA OR 15-39 OVERSEAS YEAR OLD MALES 32 DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY 10

2% 2%

8% 1% 1% 1%

14% 86% Swimming/Wading 71% MALE 71% Attempting a Rescue Watercraft Swimmin/ Rock Fishing Wadin Snorkelling Fall 14% Scuba Diving FEMALE Land-based Fishing

RIP-CURRENT DROWNING DEATHS 2004-18

30 30 28 25 0.15

22 23 0.12 20 20 20 18 18 17 0.09 15 16 14 15 9 0.06 Number (n) 11 10 10 0.03 5 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 0.00 0 2011-12 2012-13 2017-18 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2008-09

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 46 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 SNAPSHOT: BOATING 2004-2018

DROWNING DEATHS 262 10 AVERAGE DROWNING AVERAGE FATALITY RATE 54 DEATHS PER YEAR 0.08 39 PER 100,000 POPULATION 33 19 53 KEY DEMOGRAPHIC AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS, 60-75 AUSTRALIAN BORN YEAR OLD MALES 42 LIFEJACKET USE AT TIME OF INCIDENT 31

28% 92% 60% 60% MALE 12% No No Yes 8% Unknown FEMALE

BOATING DROWNING DEATHS 2004-18

30 30 25 0.15 25 0.12 20 21 20 21 20 21 18 17 0.09 15 19 14 9 0.06

Number (n) 14 11 10 10 13 13 10 0.03

5 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 0.00 0 2011-12 2012-13 2017-18 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2008-09 SNAPSHOT: ROCK FISHING 2004-2018

DROWNING DEATHS 167 0 AVERAGE DROWNING AVERAGE FATALITY RATE 4 DEATHS PER YEAR 0.05 33 12 PER 100,000 POPULATION 2 KEY DEMOGRAPHIC 110 AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS, BORN IN AUSTRALIA OR 40-65 ASIA YEAR OLD MALES 12 REGION OF BIRTH 6

21%

2% 3% 95% 47% MALE 5% 47% Asia Australia Asia Europe Oceania 5% 22% Africa Unknown FEMALE

ROCK FISHING DROWNING DEATHS 2004-18

20 19 18 0.10 15 16 16 0.08 14 12 12 0.06 10 12 10 10 9 9 0.04 Number (n)

5 0.02

6 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 4 0.00 0 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2008-09

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 48 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 SNAPSHOT: WATERCRAFT 2004-2018

DROWNING DEATHS 105 0 AVERAGE DROWNING AVERAGE FATALITY RATE 21 DEATHS PER YEAR 0.03 18 PER 100,000 POPULATION 3 8 42 KEY DEMOGRAPHIC AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS, SURFERS, BODY BOARDERS 25-39 & KAYAKERS YEAR OLD MALES 17 AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS 4 & TYPE OF CRAFT 55-64 SURFERS YEAR OLD MALES 9%

3% 2% 2% 4%

94% 50% Surf Board MALE 13% Body Board 50% Kayak Kitesurfing Sur Board Canoe 6% Surf Ski 17% Windsurfing FEMALE Other

WATERCRAFT DROWNING DEATHS 2004-18

15 14 14 0.06 12 11 0.05 9 10 9 0.04

6 8 0.03 Number (n) 7 7

3 5 5 0.02 4 5 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 3 3 0.00 0 2011-12 2012-13 2017-18 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2008-09 NEW SOUTH WALES

60 9% 53 50 0.8 3% 48 3% 45 46 40 0.7 3% 40 39 37 37 35 35 0.6 4% 30 33 Swimming/Wading 29 29 34% Rock Fishing 0.5 5% 20 23 Boating Number (n) 34% 0.4 Watercraft Attempting a Rescue

10 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 8% Swimmin/ 0.3 Snorkelling Wadin Fall 0 0.0 Scuba Diving 10% Other 21% 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16

2009-10 Unknown 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2008-09 2004-05

Figure 62 Figure 63 2004–18: 14-YEAR TREND OF NSW COASTAL & OCEAN 2004–18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=529) In 2017–18, coastal and ocean drowning deaths in New South The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in NSW Wales (NSW) were just over the 14-year average of 38. The rate per occurred when swimming/wading (n=178), rock fishing (n=110), 100,000 population was 0.49, just under the average 14-year rate. boating (n=53) and using watercraft (n=43).

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.17 0.18 0.03 0.03 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.05 0.06 0.02 0.00 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.03 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.11 0.08 0.02 0.03

Figure 64 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING RATES BY ACTIVITY In 2017-18 drowning death rates (per 100,000 population) were lower than the 14-year average in watercraft, rock fishing, attempting a rescue and scuba diving related incidents. The yearly rate of incidents related to swimming/wading, boating, snorkelling and falls was higher than the 14-year average.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 50 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 DROWNING SNAPSHOT

2004–18 COASTAL & OCEAN 2017–18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS

2 3 COASTAL & OCEAN FATALITY RATE 5 5 2 2 9 2 DROWNING 2 2 2 5 2 5 2 4 DEATHS 2 3 2 2 3 9 0.49 2 4 2 PER 100,000 POPULATION 2 2 4 4 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 39 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 4 2 2 8 12 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 3 6 5 5 Attempting a Rescue DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY SYDNEY 7 2 2 4 4 13 11 6 9 3 B3oa3ting 12 21 8 4 4 3 2Sc2uba Diving 4 11 11 6 5 4 2 Rock Fishing CANBERRA 2 2 2 8 2 13% 5 4 3 2 2 Fall 2 5 Att3emp3 ting a Rescue Jump 3% 4 2Boating Snorkelling 3% 2 Scuba Diving Swimming/Wading 2 Rock Fishing Watercraft 5% Fall Other 36% Swimming/Wading Attempting a Rescue Jump Unknown Rock Fishing Boating 5% Snorkelling 2 Multiple instances per 36% Boating Scuba Diving Swimming/Wading activity at the same location Watercraft Rock Fishing 5% Swimmin/ Watercraft Capital city Attempting a Rescue Fall Other Wadin Snorkelling Jump Unknown Fall 13% AVERAGESnorkelling 2 Multiple instanAVERAGEces per FATALITY RATE Other Swimming/Wading 18% NUMBER activity at the same location Unknown Watercraft Capital city Other Unknown 2 Multiple instances per 0.52 PER 100,000 POPULATION 38activity at the same location DROWNING DEATHS BY LOCATION Capital city 5% 89% 13% MALE 49% 49% 11% Beac Beach 33% FEMALE Rock/Cliff Offshore Bay

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC & LESS THAN 1KM 20-29 45-54 FROM A SURF YEAR OLD SWIMMERS/ YEAR OLD ROCK 62% LIFE SAVING SERVICE WADERS FISHERS QUEENSLAND

0.6 4% 25 4% 24 23 23 22 4% 2% 20 0.5 2% 19 19 4% 17 33% 15 16 0.4 Swimming/Wading 15 Boating 13 10% 12 12 Snorkelling 10 11 0.3 33% 10 Watercraft

Number (n) Swimmin/ Attempting a Rescue 5 0.2 Scuba Diving Wadin Rock Fishing Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 15% Fall 0 0.0 23% Other Unknown 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2008-09

Figure 65 Figure 66 2004–18: 14-YEAR TREND OF QLD COASTAL & OCEAN 2004–18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=236) In 2017–18, 9 coastal and 14 ocean drowning deaths were The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in Qld recorded in Queensland (Qld). From 2004 to 2018, there occurred when swimming/wading (n=77), boating (n=55), has been an average of 17 coastal drowning deaths per year, snorkelling (n=35) and using watercraft (n=23). which is an average rate of 0.36 per 100,000 population.

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.12 0.06 0.01 0.02 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.09 0.20 0.01 0.00 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.04 0.00 0.05 0.06 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00

Figure 67 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING RATES BY ACTIVITY Drowning death rates (per 100,000 population) were lower than the 14-year average in most activities in 2017-18. Exceptions are boating, attempting a rescue and snorkelling incidents.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 52 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 DROWNING SNAPSHOT

2004-18 COASTAL & OCEAN 2017 -18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS

Attempting a Rescue COASTAL & OCEAN Boating DROWNING Scuba Diving DEATHS 43% Rock Fishing BOATING Fall Jump Snorkelling 23 Swimming/Wading Watercraft 2 Other Unknown 2 Multiple instances per 3 activity at the same location 7 2 2 Capital city 3 2 2

2 2 83% 2 MALE

5 2 2 17% 2 FEMALE

2 DROWNING DEATHS BY LOCATION 2

3 3 2 2 7 2 4% 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 BRISBANE 4 2 2 5 1 6 2 8 26% 17 2

70% AVERAGE NUMBER AVERAGE FATALITY RATE 70% Osore

17 0.36 Offshore PER 100,000 POPULATION Beach Jetty KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

& GREATER THAN 25-34 60-64 5KM FROM A SURF YEAR OLD SWIMMERS/ YEAR OLD BOATERS 87% LIFE SAVING SERVICE WADERS VICTORIA

25 23 12% 22 20 20 0.5 19 5% 17 16 0.4 15 15 15 34% 14 2% 0.3 2% Swimming/Wading 4% 10 11 11 Boating 10 10 10 Watercraft Number (n) 0.2 34% 6% Scuba Diving 5 Rock Fishing

0.1 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) Swimmin/ Attempting a Rescue 7% Wadin Snorkelling 0 0.0 Fall 8% Other 20% 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2008-09 2004-05 Unknown

Figure 68 Figure 69 2004–18: 14-YEAR TREND OF VIC COASTAL & OCEAN 2004–18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=213) In 2017–18, the number of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in Vic Victoria (Vic) showed an increase from 2016-17 and was above occurred when swimming/wading (n=73), boating (n=42) the 14-year average of 15. and using watercraft (n=17).

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.09 0.19 0.01 0.02 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.00 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.00

Figure 70 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING RATES BY ACTIVITY In 2017-18 drowning death rates (per 100,000 population) were lower than or equal to the 14-year average in boating, watercraft, rock fishing, scuba diving and falls. The yearly rate of incidents related to swimming/wading, attempting a rescue and snorkelling was higher than the 14-year average.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 54 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 DROWNING SNAPSHOT

2004–18 COASTAL & OCEAN 2017–18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS

COASTAL & OCEAN FATALITY RATE DROWNING DEATHS 0.31 PER 100,000 POPULATION MELBOURNE 2 3 9 3 2 3 5 5 3 2 20 4 2 2 2 5 4 4 3 2 2 Attempting a Rescue 3 4 4 2 2 Boating DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY 2 Scuba Diving 5 2 Ro2ck Fishing 3 2 2 3 Fall 10% Atte2mp2ting a Rescue Jump Boating Snorkelling 5% 4 3 3 4 2 4 2 3 4 Scuba Diving 4 2 2 Swimming/Wading Rock Fishing Watercraft 5% Fall Other Attempting a Rescue Jump Unknown 5% Boating 60% Snorkelling 2 Multiple instances per Scuba Diving Swimming/Wading activity at the same location 5% 60% Swimming/Wading Rock Fishing Watercraft Capital city Swimmin/ Boating Fall Other Rock Fishing Jump Unknown 10% Wadin Watercraft Snorkelling 2 Multiple instances per AVERAGE AVERAGE FATALITY RATE Attempting a Rescue Swimming/Wading activity at the same location Snorkelling NUMBERWatercraf t Capital city Unknown Other Unknown 2 Multiple instances per 0.26 15 activity at the same location PER 100,000 POPULATION Capital city DROWNING DEATHS BY LOCATION

10%

85% 20% MALE

70% 70% 15% Beac FEMALE Beach Bay Rock/Cliff

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC BETWEEN 1 AND & 5KM FROM A SURF 30-44 60-64 50% LIFE SAVING SERVICE YEAR OLD SWIMMERS YEAR OLD BOATERS WESTERN AUSTRALIA

30 4% 25 26 5% 24 1.2 2% 2% 26% 20 20 1.0 5%

15 17 16 0.8 15 15 Swimming/Wading 13 10% Boating 12 12 0.6 10 Rock Fishing Number (n) 9 10 9 26% 8 0.4 Snorkelling 5 Watercraft 0.2 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) Swimmin/ 12% Scuba Diving Wadin 19% 0 0.0 Fall Attempting a Rescue Other 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2008-09 2004-05 16% Unknown

Figure 71 Figure 72 2004–18: 14-YEAR TREND OF WA COASTAL & OCEAN 2004–18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=206) In 2017–18, coastal and ocean drowning deaths in Western The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in WA Australia (WA) dropped to below the 14-year average of 15 after occurred when swimming/wading (n=53), boating (n=39), a record high in 2016-17. From 2004 to 2018, the average rate rock fishing (n=33) and snorkelling (n=24). per 100,000 population is 0.62.

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.16 0.08 0.01 0.00 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.12 0.12 0.03 0.00 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.06 0.00 0.07 0.12 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.10 0.08 0.03 0.04

Figure 73 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING RATES BY ACTIVITY Drowning death rates (per 100,000 population) were lower than the 14-year average in most activities in 2017-18. Exceptions are snorkelling and fall related incidents.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 56 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 DROWNING SNAPSHOT

2004–18 COASTAL & OCEAN 2017–18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS Attempting a Rescue Boating Scuba Diving COASTAL & OCEAN Rock Fishing DROWNING Fall DEATHS Jump Snorkelling 23% Swimming/Wading Watercraft 13 BOATING Other Unknown 2 Multiple instances per activity at the same location Capital city

2 2 85% 3 MALE 2 5 15% 4 2 FEMALE

2 2 DROWNING DEATHS BY LOCATION 2

2 2

3 2 4 5 2 4 PERTH 3 3 2 2 3 2 4 2 31%

2 3 2 2 38% 2 2 2 2 2 5 38% 3 Roc/Cli Rock/Cliff Beach 31% Offshore KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

& GREATER THAN 25-34 65-69 5KM FROM A SURF YEAR OLD SWIMMERS/ YEAR OLD BOATERS 62% LIFE SAVING SERVICE WADERS & SNORKELLERS SOUTH AUSTRALIA

15 6% 13 12 1.0 3% 2% 12 2% 11 3% 10 0.8 3% 9 5 9 Swimming/Wading 4% 8 0.6 37% Boating 7 7 7 Fall 6 6 6 4% Number (n) 0.4 37% Scuba Diving 4 Snorkelling 3 3 5% Watercraft 0.2 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) Swimmin/ 2 Wadin Attempting a Rescue 0 0.0 Land-based Fishing Rock Fishing Other 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2008-09 2004-05 31% Unknown

Figure 74 Figure 75 2004–18: 14-YEAR TREND OF SA COASTAL & OCEAN 2004–18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=105) In 2017–18, the number of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in SA South Australia (SA) dropped below the 2004-18 annual average occurred when swimming/wading (n=39) and boating (n=33). of 8. This year, the rate per 100,000 population was also lower than the average of 0.46.

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.17 0.17 0.01 0.00 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.14 0.12 0.02 0.00 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.06 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00

Figure 76 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING RATES BY ACTIVITY Drowning death rates (per 100,000 population) were lower than the 14-year average in most activities in 2017-18. Snorkelling related incidents are the exception.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 58 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 DROWNING SNAPSHOT

2004–18 COASTAL & OCEAN 2017–18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS

COASTAL & OCEAN FATALITY RATE DROWNING DEATHS 0.35 PER 100,000 POPULATION

2 6 2 2 3 8 2 Attempting a Rescue 2 4 2 DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY Boating 3 ADELAIDE Scuba Diving 8 2 Rock Fishing 3 2 17% Fall 2 Jump 2 2 Snorkelling 4 Swimming/Wading 3 Watercraft 2 Other 2 Unknown 50% 50% 2 Multiple instances per activity at the same location Swimmin/ Capital city 33% Wadin Swimming/Wading AVERAGE AVERAGE FATALITY RATE Boating NUMBER 0.46 Snorkelling 8 PER 100,000 POPULATION DROWNING DEATHS BY LOCATION 80% MALE 50% 50% 50% 20% Beac FEMALE

Beach Offshore

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC GREATER THAN & 5KM FROM A SURF 25-29 45-54 67% LIFE SAVING SERVICE YEAR OLD BOATERS YEAR OLD BOATERS TASMANIA

8 1.5% 8 8 1.5% 7 4% 2.0 3% 6 6 6% 5 5 5 5 5 5 1.5 4 8% 4 4 4 Boating 3 1.0 Swimming/Wading 3 Number (n) 47% Rock Fishing 2 2 2 0.5 8% Scuba Diving

Rate (per 100,000 pop.) 47% 1 Fall Boatin Watercraft 0 0.0 Attempting a Rescue 9% Snorkelling Land-based Fishing 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2008-09 2004-05 12% Unknown

Figure 77 Figure 78 2004–18: 14-YEAR TREND OF TAS COASTAL & OCEAN 2004–18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=66) In 2017–18, there were 6 coastal and ocean drowning deaths in The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in Tas Tasmania (Tas). This is above the 14-year annual average of 5 but occurred when boating (n=31), swimming/wading (n=8) lower than last year’s high of 8. and rock fishing (n=6).

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.11 0.06 0.03 0.00 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.38 0.23 0.07 0.00 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.06 0.00 0.01 0.00 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.14 0.00 0.07 0.06

Figure 79 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING RATES BY ACTIVITY Drowning death rates (per 100,000 population) were lower than the 14-year average in all activities in 2017-18.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 60 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 DROWNING SNAPSHOT

2004–18 COASTAL & OCEAN 2017–18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS COASTAL & OCEAN FATALITY RATE Attempting a Rescue DROWNING Boating DEATHS 2 Scuba Diving Rock Fishing 1.14 Fall PER 100,000 POPULATION Jump 2 Snorkelling 6 Swimming/Wading HOBART Watercraft 9 Other Unknown DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY 2 3 2 Multiple instances per 2 3 activity at the same location 3 3 Capital city 17%

AVERAGE AVERAGE FATALITY RATE NUMBER 0.93 17% 67% 67% 5 PER 100,000 POPULATION Boatin Boating Swimming/Wading Fall 85% MALE DROWNING DEATHS BY LOCATION

15% 33% FEMALE 33%

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC 33% Roc/Cli Bay 25-29 Rock/Cliff YEAR OLD BOATERS 33% Offshore

55-59 GREATER THAN YEAR OLD BOATERS 5KM FROM A SURF 67% LIFE SAVING SERVICE NORTHERN TERRITORY

6 6 5 3.0 19% 5 2.5 4 4 2.0 32% 3 3 3 3 1.5 6%

Number (n) 2 2 2 1.0 3% Boating

1 Rate (per 100,000 pop.) Swimming/Wading 1 1 1 0.5 32% 7% Attempting a Rescue 0 0.0 Boatin Jump Fall 13% Land-based Fishing 2011-12 2017-18 2012-13 2010 -11 2013-14 2014-15 2016-17 2015-16 10% 2009-10 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2008-09 Other 10% Unknown

Figure 80 Figure 81 2004–18: 14-YEAR TREND OF NT COASTAL & OCEAN 2004–18: COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DROWNING DEATHS DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (n=31) In 2017–18, coastal and ocean drowning deaths in Northern The majority of coastal and ocean drowning deaths in NT Territory (NT) remained at 3, just above the 14-year average of 2. occurred when boating (n=10) and swimming/wading (n=4).

Swimming Attempting a Rescue 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.12 0.00 0.09 0.00 Boating Scuba Diving 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.31 0.81 0.00 0.00 Watercraft Snorkelling 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Rock Fishing Fall 2004-18 2017-18 2004-18 2017-18 0.00 0.00 0.07 0.00

Figure 82 14-YEAR AVERAGE VS 2017-18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING RATES BY ACTIVITY Drowning death rates (per 100,000 population) were lower than the 14-year average for swimming, attempting a rescue and fall related incidents in 2017-18. Boating fatality rates were higher than the 14-year average.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 62 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018

DROWNING SNAPSHOT

2004–18 COASTAL & OCEAN 2017–18 COASTAL & OCEAN DROWNING DEATHS DROWNING DEATHS

COASTAL & OCEAN FATALITY RATE 3 DROWNING 2 2 DEATHS 2 3 2 1.22 DARWIN PER 100,000 POPULATION

2 3 Attempting a Rescue Boating DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY Scuba Diving Rock Fishing Fall Attempting a Rescue Jump Boating Snorkelling Scuba Diving Swimming/Wading 33% Rock Fishing Watercraft Fall Other Attempting a Rescue Jump Unknown Boating Snorkelling 2 Multiple instances per Scuba Diving Swimming/Wading activity at the same location 67% Rock Fishing Watercraft Capital city Fall Other Boatin 67% Jump Unknown Snorkelling 2 Multiple instances per Swimming/Wading activity at the same location Boating AVERAGEWatercraft Capital city AVERAGE FATALITY RATE Jump NUMBEROther Unknown 2 Multiple instances per activity at the same location 0.95 DROWNING DEATHS BY LOCATION 2Capital city PER 100,000 POPULATION

33% 87% 33% MALE 33% Osore

13% Bay FEMALE Jetty 33% Offshore

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC GREATER THAN 5KM FROM A SURF 30-44 67% LIFE SAVING SERVICE YEAR OLD BOATERS GLOSSARY

Adult – For the purpose of this report, adults refer to a person unsafe for coastal activities. The warnings are calculated 16 year of age and over. based on wave height, swell direction and swell period and Advanced Resuscitation Techniques – A certification must exceed the predetermined limitations to be in effect. providing the skills and knowledge required to use specialised Drowning – The process of experiencing respiratory impairment equipment in the provision of resuscitation in line with the from submersion/immersion in liquid; outcomes are classified Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines. as death, morbidity and no morbidity. ALS – Australian Lifeguard Service. Drugs – A medicine or other substance which has a physiological Apply First Aid – A certification providing the skills and effect when ingested or otherwise introduced to the body. knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a The category includes therapeutic, over-the-counter and illicit casualty. drugs. Attempting a rescue – Trying to retrieve a person in distress Emergency response – An action taken by an SLS entity and deliver them to a place of safety. in response to a call for assistance from an emergency AWSC – Australian Water Safety Council – also Australian management organisation. Water Safety Conference. Falls (trips/slips) – Events that result in a person coming to AWSS – Australian Water Safety Strategy. rest inadvertently on the ground or other lower level. Bay – A body of water partially enclosed by land but with a First Aid – Assessments and interventions that can be wide mouth, affording access to the sea. performed by a bystander (or by the victim) with minimal Beach – A wave-deposited accumulation of sediment – to no equipment. usually sand, but ranging in size up to boulders – deposited Fishing – Attempting to catch a fish. between the upper swash limit and wave base. Foreign ethnicity – Describes an individual who identifies Blackspot – An area with a concentration of coastal/ocean with a cultural group other than Australian based on incidents and a high probability/risk of ongoing recurrence. heritage, language or shared customs. This identification Boating – Using either a powered vessel or sailing boat for is extrapolated from reported data such as the individuals’ pleasure and/or fishing. country of birth and the main language spoken at home. Bystander – A person who is present at an incident but not Hazard – A source of potential harm. part of it initially. ILS – International Life Saving Federation. Coastal – Describes the foreshore, seabed, coastal water and Incident – Any unplanned event requiring lifesaving air space above a large body of water (harbour/bay/inlet), services intervention. including areas up to 3nm offshore and of which the landward Inland – An area that is beyond the line of mean high water boundary is the line of mean high water, except where that or within a landward distance of five times the width of line crosses a river/inlet, the landward boundary at that point the coastal inlet/river mouth. shall be the point upstream that is calculated by multiplying Inshore – The coastal water area within 500m of the low tide the width of the river/inlet mouth by five. (Adopted from the area of the foreshore. Resource Management Amendment Act 1993 – New Zealand). International – Describes an individual who is confirmed to Coastal drowning death – Where the location of the death is reside overseas and/or is a temporary visitor to Australia. on the coast, in the ocean up to 3nm offshore or inland up to IRB – Inflatable rescue boat. five times the width of the inlet/river and the cause of death IRD – Incident report database. A web-based portal used by SLS includes drowning or immersion. services to electronically record incident reports. Coastal fatality – Where the location of the death is on the Jetty – An artificial structure that projects out into the water coast, in the ocean up to 3nm offshore or inland up to five from land. times the width of the inlet/river and the cause of death does JRB – Jet rescue boat. not include drowning or immersion. Jump(ing) – The activity of launching off a cliff, rock platform, COD – Cause of death. pier, jetty. Aka tombstoning (UK/Europe/North America). Crude drowning rate – A comparative rate of drowning to Lake – An inland body of water surrounded by land. the size of the population in a given area. Lifeguard – An individual who undertakes patrols at a beach or Dangerous surf warning – An alert issued by the Bureau of another aquatic environment. He/she is typically a salaried Meteorology indicating that surf conditions in an area are member, qualified in public safety and aquatic rescue.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 64 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 Lifejacket – A buoyant or inflatable garment or device designed PWC – Personal water craft, also known as jet ski. to keep a person afloat in water and increase their likelihood Rescue – The retrieval of a person in distress, delivering them of survival. to a place of safety and the application of first aid and basic Lifesaving Service – A coordinated group that exists to provide life support as may be required. aquatic safety services to the public. This includes Surf Life Resuscitation – Prevention or restoration of life by establishing Saving Clubs, Lifeguards, SurfCom, RWCs, RIBs, JRBs, ORBs, and maintaining a person’s airway, breathing and circulation. Rescue Helicopters and 4WD units. RIB – Rigid-hull inflatable boat. Local Government Area (LGA) – Also known as local councils, Rip current – A seaward flowing current of water moving LGAs include cities, town, shires, municipalities or boroughs. through a surf zone. Marina – A boat basin offering dockage and other service for River – A natural stream of water flowing into an ocean or bay. small craft. Rock/cliff – A rock platform that may or may not have a high Medical – For the purpose of this report, medical refers to an steep face. aquatic incident that was caused by a medical episode, e.g. Rock fishing – Attempting to catch fish from a coastal rock a heart attack or epileptic seizure. platform or off a groyne. NCIS – National Coronial Information System. Rock shelf – A section of rock above or below the water level Non-fatal drowning – A subset of drowning, the process that projects out from the coast. of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/ RWC – Rescue water craft. immersion in liquid, where the outcome is classified as Scuba diving – Swimming underwater with the aid of scuba morbidity and no morbidity. equipment for recreational or commercial purposes. Offshore – Describes the coastal water area beyond the surf Service season and hours – Vary between states due to climatic zone and inshore area from 500m to 12nm. factors, but in the context of this report, the season is for the Ocean – The seabed, water and air space above the water period July 2017 to June 2018. between 3nm and 12nm (the Australian territorial waters limit) Snorkelling – Swimming with a snorkel and face mask. offshore. SurfCom – SLS radio communications centre that assists in Ocean drowning death – Where the location of the death is managing the communications of lifesaving operations and in the seabed, water or air space above the water between data collection. 3nm and 12nm offshore and the cause of death includes Surf lifesaver – An individual who undertakes patrols at a beach drowning or immersion. or other aquatic environment. He/she is typically a non- Ocean fatality - Where the location of the death is in the seabed, salaried member qualified in public safety and aquatic rescue. water or air space above the water between 3nm and 12nm Surf Life Saving Club – A SLS affiliated not-for-profit offshore and the cause of death does not include drowning or organisation that has volunteer members who provide coastal immersion. safety services to the community. ORB – Offshore rescue boat. Swimming – Moving through water by moving the body or parts Other – An uncommon known activity not otherwise listed of the body. (e.g., paragliding, aircraft crash). Territorial sea – The seaward limits of Australia’s maritime Patrol – Service undertaken to monitor activities in/around zones, from the coastline to 12nm from the low tide line. an aquatic environment and respond accordingly through Total Service Plan – An assessment of current and future either preventative actions or rescue operations. lifesaving resources, trends, national blackspots and coastal Patrol flags – Red/yellow horizontally divided flags which are safety issues combined with evidence-based mitigation set after performing a risk assessment to determine the strategies to address these issues. most suitable area for swimming. The flags identify a zone for Toxicity – The degree to which a chemical substance or a swimming and bodyboarding within a patrolled location. particular mixture of substances is toxic or poisonous to Patrolled location – A location supervised by a lifesaving an organism. In the context of this report, toxicity refers to service. alcohol or drug used by a drowning victim. Preventative action – Direct action taken to reduce or eliminate Wading – Walking through water while partially immersed. the probability of a specific rescue, first aid or other reportable Watercraft – A piece of non-powered recreational equipment incident from happening in the future. used in water. Examples include surf boards, stand-up paddle boards, boogie boards, windsurfers or kayaks.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 65 GLOSSARY REFERENCE

METHODOLOGY DROWNING DATA ANALYSIS The National Coastal Safety Report 2018 contains information SLSA collects incident data from SurfGuard, the IRD, on Australian community behaviours and attitudes to the SurfCom, the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) coast; SLS capability and membership capacity; rescues and by monitoring media reports for drowning incidents. and emergency response; and coastal drowning deaths for The information is verified with the assistance of each state/ the period of 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018. This information territory SLS entity and compiled for analysis by SLSA’s is correct as of 24 July 2018. All care is taken to ensure Coastal Safety Department. The following variables are used the statistical information included within this report is to match drowning cases from more than one data source: correct. However, pending the outcome of ongoing coronial incident date; location; age; gender; and incident description. investigations and as SLS state/territory entities update The NCIS is considered the ‘gold standard’ when there is a their operational information, this data may be amended. discrepancy in the detail collected from different data sources. Data in figures may not always add up to 100% due to rounding. Deaths are excluded as a coastal drowning if they are reported as ‘intentional deaths’, they are inland locations, or ‘drowning/ THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY ANALYSIS immersion’ is not a contributory factor as noted by the coroner. Information about community swimming ability, behaviours Coastal incidents that are deemed intentional or not due to and attitudes to coastal safety, risk perceptions, safety strategies drowning/immersion are logged as coastal fatalities instead. and rescues was gathered from the SLSA National Coastal Safety Survey. Conducted by Omnipoll Market Research, the latest The non-fatal drowning data used in this report were made survey was run online over the period 12 - 19 April 2018 among available by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare a national sample of 1,597 respondents aged 16 and above. (AIHW). The authors are responsible for the use made of the The study was carried out in compliance with AS-ISO 20252 - data in this report. More detailed methodology can be found Market, Social and Opinion Research. To reflect the population in the 2018 Coastal Safety Brief - Beaches. distribution, results were post-weighted (on age, gender, geographic strata and education) and projected to Australian DROWNING DATA LIMITATIONS Bureau of Statistics data. The Australian population aged 16 and Over years of investigation as part of the NCIS process, some above (the reference population for this survey) is 18,712,000. cases are amended prior to their closure, resulting in changes to the classification of cases in our datasets. Therefore, the CAPABILITY AND RESCUE ANALYSIS number of coastal drowning deaths published in this report SurfGuard, the Incident Report Database (IRD) and SurfCom may be different from annual totals previously reported. In management system (SurfCom) are web-based applications an effort to produce a timely report on our current year’s data and part of a suite of applications that enable members, we acknowledge that these figures will change. Each year, the clubs, branches, state offices and SLSA to enter and access changes that occur in the previous year’s report will be made SLS operational (including rescues and first aids), capability transparent. The data in this current report are not the final (including assets and services), educational and administrative figures as 86% of 2017–18 coastal drowning deaths reported data. Information was extracted from SurfGuard to identify remain open cases and 38% of cases do not have a cause of how many rescues were performed by volunteers, lifeguards death (COD) listed yet. Once NCIS closes a case, SLSA modifies and lifesaving services during 2017-18; and how many active those with unknown intent and those where the cause of death surf lifesavers and award holders there were during 2017-18. is not drowning, from ‘coastal drowning’ to ‘coastal fatality’. Bars The data was verified by SLS state/territory entities. Information of two different colours are used to illustrate the incidents where about assets and services were gathered from each SLS state/ a COD has not been listed on NCIS in Figure 44. The incidents territory entity. are included in our annual totals and analysis, and they will remain so until a COD is listed other than drowning/immersion.

SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA 66 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT 2018 CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS REPORTS © 2018 SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA As part of the NCIS investigation process, some cases are This publication is copyright. Except as expressly provided in the amended prior to their closure and have resulted in changes Copyright Act 1968 and the Copyright Amendment Act 2006, no to our datasets. This year SLSA has commenced a thorough part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval review of its drowning database to update all cases to the same systems or transmitted by any means (including electronic, inclusion standards. mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission from Surf Life Saving Australia. Table 1 CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF COASTAL AND OCEAN For enquiries concerning reproduction, contact SLSA on: DROWNING DEATHS AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED phone 02 9215 8000; email: [email protected] Every attempt has been made to trace and acknowledge 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 copyright, but in some cases this may not have been possible. Surf NCSR NCSR NCSR NCSR NCSR Life Saving Australia apologises for any accidental infringements 2004–05 89 89 89 89 89 and would welcome any information to redress the situation. 2005–06 95 95 96 96 95 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2006–07 98 98 102 102 102 SLSA wishes to thank the following people and organisations for 2007–08 89 89 89 89 89 their contribution to the National Coastal Safety Report 2018: the 2008–09 89 89 88 88 85 Australian Government: Department of Health; National Coronial 2009–10 85 85 85 85 80 Information System: Leanne Daking; Omnipoll: Frederic Anne; 2010 –11 69 69 69 69 69 Royal Life Saving Society Australia: Amy Peden & Alison Mahony; 2011–12 113 113 113 114 114 SLS state centres, branches, clubs, support operations and ALS; SLSA major national corporate partners: DHL , Holden and Westpac. 2012–13 118 118 118 118 118 2013–14 84 83 84 82 80 This report was compiled by Shane Daw, National Coastal Risk and Safety Manager, Eveline Rijksen, Research Coordinator, 2014–15 102 105 105 108 April Ryan, Public Safety Coordinator, Nicole Gonzaga, Research 2015–16 130 128 128 Assistant and Keiran Stone, Lifesaving Operations Manager. 2016–17 116 119 Cover Image: 2017-18 110 Shane Daw. Design: SUGGESTED CITATION: Surf Life Saving Australia (2018) National Anika Martin. Coastal Safety Report 2018. SLSA: Sydney. CONTACT INFORMATION SLS receives Government funding to commence valuable REFERENCES initiatives and programs. However, we rely on the generosity of • Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018, Australian Demographic the community and corporate support to ensure they continue. Statistics, 2004–18 cat. no. 3101.0, viewed 26 July 2018, To help Surf Life Saving please donate to: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/3101.0. Surf Life Saving Foundation—slsfoundation.com.au • Australian Water Safety Council (2016). Australian Water For more information: Safety Strategy 2016–20. Australian Water Safety Council: Surf Life Saving Australia—sls.com.au Sydney. Surf Life Saving New South Wales—surflifesaving.com.au • Newspoll (2009) Surf Safety and Rips Study. Newspoll: Sydney. Surf Life Saving Northern Territory—lifesavingnt.com.au • Ryan, A, Rijksen, E, Daw, S (2018) ‘Coastal Safety Brief: Surf Life Saving Queensland—lifesaving.com.au Beaches.’ Surf Life Saving Australia: Sydney. Surf Life Saving South Australia—surflifesavingsa.com.au • SLSA National Coastal Safety Survey (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, Surf Life Saving Tasmania—slst.asn.au 2018). Newspoll/Omnipoll Online Omnibus April 2014, 2015, Life Saving Victoria—lsv.com.au 2016, 2017, 2018. Surf Life Saving Western Australia—mybeach.com.au • SLSA Annual Reports.

REFERENCE 67 METHODOLOGY 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