national coastal safety report 2012

National Coastal Safety Report 2012A Summary of Coastal Drowning Deaths in Australia

2 | Contents National Coastal Safety Report 2012

Introduction 3

Coastal Drowning Deaths 2011-12: National Overview 4

Case Study 1: Putting Sharks in Perspective 5

Case Study 2: Health and Injury 7

Queensland 8

New South Wales 10

Victoria 12

South Australia 14

Western Australia 16

Tasmania 18

Northern Territory 20

Case Study 3: Foreign Ethnicity & International Tourists 20

Case Study 4: Alcohol and Drugs 21

Case Study 5: Rock Fishing 21

Glossary 22

Why do people drown? 24

Methodology 25

References 27

Contents

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Introduction | 3

Preventing Coastal Drowning around Australia

For more than 100 years, Australians and visitors to Australia have been drawn to our coastline. With over an estimated 100 million beach visitations each year, the task of ensuring the safety of everyone who visits Australias 11,912 beaches and 36,000km coastline is an extremely challenging one, and one that Surf Life Saving (SLS) has been dedicated to for over 100 years.

Since 1907, when a group of surf life saving clubs on Sydneys beaches first emerged, the network of services protecting our coastline has grown rapidly. Today, volunteer surf lifesavers, ALS and council employed lifeguards, rescue helicopters, rescue boats, surveillance systems and radio control and coordination centres all work together to ensure that our beaches are the safest in the world. This collaborative approach to coastal safety is essential in preventing drowning along our coastline.

Despite this extensive network of services, coastal drowning deaths are still at unacceptable levels. In the year 2011-2012, there were 119* coastal drowning deaths in Australia. This figure is significantly higher than last years 70 coastal drowning deaths, indicating that there is significant work ahead of us to reduce the drowning toll every life lost is one life too many.

SLSA produces the National Coastal Safety Report to assist and support evidence-based decision making by all coastal safety service providers. This report highlights some of the key initiatives Surf Life Saving together with our partners in coastal safety services has developed and implemented to help reduce coastal drowning and injuries on the Australian coastline. We are committed to achieving the goal outlined in the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-2015: to reduce drowning deaths by 50% by 2020.

This is an ambitious undertaking, but one that is achievable through a strong, collaborative and evidence-based approach. I commend this report to you as part of that process.

Brett Williamson OAM Chief Executive Officer Surf Life Saving Australia

* Refer to Methodology

Introduction

2011-12 National Coastal Drowning Snapshot Table 1

Overall

119coastaldrowningdeaths Abovetheeightyearaverageof92

Demographics

106(89%)weremales 35(29%)wereagedbetween15-29years;individuals

70-74hadthehighestdrowningrateof1.2per100,000population

33(28%)wereknowntobeofaforeignethnicity;13(11%)wereinternationalvisitors

Time

38(32%)occurredbetween12pm4pm 79(66%)occurredoutsideofthesummermonths

Activity

32(27%)wereattributedtoswimming/wading 20(17%)wereattributedtoboating 16(13%)wereattributedtorockfishing

Contributory Factors

22(19%)wereattributedtoripcurrents 12(10%)wereattributedtoamedicalconditionorinjury 8(7%)wereattributedtoalcoholand/ordrugtoxicity

Location

53(45%)occurredatabeach 50(42%)ofindividualslivedmorethan50kmfromthe

drowninglocation 67(56%)ofindividualsdrownedwithin5kmfromthe

nearestlifesavingservice

4 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: National National Coastal Safety Report 2012

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

Unknown

Other

Rock/Cliff Related

Snorkelling

Diving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Boating

Swimming/Wading

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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Coastal Drowning DeathsNationalOverview

2004-12Eight year coastal drowning deaths by activityFigure 2

Theratesofactivitytypesbeingundertakenwhencoastaldrowningdeathsoccurvariesovertime.Swimmingandwadingdeathsarebackuptotheeightyearaveragerateof0.14.Boatingdeathscontinuedtoincreaseoverthelastfiveyears.Rockfishingdeathshavepassedtheeightyearaveragerateof0.05to0.07per100,000populationthisyear.

2004-12Eight year trend of national coastal drowning deathsFigure 1

Nationalcoastaldrowningdeathnumbersandcrudedrowningrates2004-12.Theeightyearaveragerateper100,000populationis0.43andnumberis92,theratefor2011-12is0.53andnumberis119.

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0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

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COD is listed by coronerCOD is not listed by coroner

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

119

83

70

89

9889

95

89

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: National | 5

2011-12Coastal Drowning Deaths by Activity (n=119)Figure4

Themajorityofcoastaldrowningdeathsoccurredwhenanindividualwasparticipatinginswimmingorwading(32),boating(20),orrockfishing(16).

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by state (n=119)Figure3

Ofthe119coastaldrowningdeaths,47(40%)occurredinNSW,30(25%)inQld,10(8%)inVic,15(13%)inWA,six(5%)inTas,four(3%)inNT,andseven(6%)inSA.

26.9%

7.6%

6.7%3.4%

3.4%0.8%

16.8%

13.4%

12.6%

8.4%

Unknown

Other

Rock/Cliff Related

Attempting a Rescue

Diving

Snorkelling

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Boating

Swimming/Wading


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SANTTASWAVICQLDNSW 0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

Case Study 1PuttingSharksinPerspective

2004-12

Number of coastal drowning deaths, those known to be rip current related, and the number of shark related deaths

Figure5

Therearemanyhazardstobeawareofatthebeach.Sharkattackssometimesresultinafatality;theyalmostalwaysresultinmediafrenzy.Deathsduetodrowningandspecificallyinripcurrentsdonotmaketheheadlinesasfrequently.

Therehavebeenatleast732deathsduetodrowningonAustraliancoastssince2004.Ripcurrentshavecausedatleast164ofthesedeaths;anaverageof21peryear.Thisislikelyavastunderestimatebecauseawitnesswouldhavetodescribethedeceasedbeingsweptawayfromshoreinacurrentforthecausationtoberecordedasaripcurrent.Thedescriptionwouldalsohavetomakeittothecoronersreport.Theunderestimatedtotalstilldescribesripcurrentsasthecauseinatleast25%ofallcoastaldrowningdeathsandover50%ofallcoastalswimmingandwadingdrowningdeaths.

In2011-12wehaverecordedninesharkfatalitiesinAustralia.Thisiswellabovetheaverageof2.5deathsperyearsince2004.Inthe7previousyearstherangehasbeen0to4sharkrelatedfatalitiesannually.

Marinecreaturesremainahazardinourcoastalenvironments,whenfatalitiesoccurtherewilltypicallymediareportstoalertthepublic.Ripcurrentscauseatleast8timesasmanydeathsandarepresentinallsevenstates/territories.Thepublicneedstobealertedtothemainhazardatsurfbeachesandbetaughttoidentifyandavoidthem.

Lifesaversandlifeguardsareinvaluableresources;theyareconstantlyevaluatingallhazardsinpatrolledareasandmarkingthesupervisedareaswithflags.

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120DrowningRipsSharks

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

6 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: National National Coastal Safety Report 2012

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by month (n=119)Figure8

ThehighestpercentagesofcoastaldrowningdeathsoccurredinthemonthsofFebruaryandApril(17,14%).40(34%)occurredduringthesummermonths.Shadingdenotesseason.

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by time (n=94*)Figure9

Mostfatalitieswithknowntimesoccurredbetween12:01pmand4pm(38,32%),shaded.

*Onlyincidentswithknowntimesarerepresented.

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by age group and sex (n=119)Figure6

The age groups representing the highest rates of fatalities are 70-74(1.2),20-24(0.8)and25-29(0.8).106(89%)offatalitiesweremale.

2011-12Location of coastal drowning deaths (n=119)Figure 7

53coastaldrowningdeathsoccurredatabeachlocation.

Marina/Jetty

Bay

Rock/Cliff

Offshore

Beach

44.5%

20.2%

20.2%

10.9%

4.2%


0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Jun

e

May

Ap

ril

Mar

ch

Feb

ruar

y

Jan

uary

Dec

emb

er

Nov

emb

er

Oct

ober

Sep

tem

ber

Aug

ust

July

Perc

enta

ge

(%)

Perc

enta

ge

(%)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

11:0

1pm

-12a

m

10:0

1pm

-11p

m

9:01

pm

-10p

m

8:01

pm

-9p

m

7:01

pm

-8p

m

6:01

pm

-7p

m

5:01

pm

-6p

m

4:01

pm

-5p

m

3:01

pm

-4p

m

2:01

pm

-3p

m

1:01

pm

-2p

m

12:0

1pm

-1p

m

11:0

1am

-12p

m

10:0

1am

-11a

m

9:01

am-1

0am

8:01

am-9

am

7:01

am-8

am

6:01

am-7

am

5:01

am-6

am

4:01

am-5

am

3:01

am-4

am

2:01

am-3

am

1:01

am-2

am

12:0

1am

-1 a

m

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Age Group (Years)

MalesFemales

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Un

know

n

85+

80-8

4

75-7

9

70-7

4

65-6

9

60-6

4

55-5

9

50-5

4

45-4

9

40-4

4

35-3

9

30-3

4

25-2

9

20-2

4

15-1

9

10-1

4

5-9

0-4

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: National | 7

2011-12Distance from drowning location to lifesaving service (n=119)Figure 10

52ofindividualsdrownedgreaterthanfivekilometresfromthenearestlifesavingservice.

2011-12Distance from residence to drowning location (n=119)Figure 11

50ofindividualslivedgreaterthan50kilometresfromthedrowninglocation.

1km to 5km

Less than 1km

Greater than 5km

43.7%

42.9%

13.4%

Unknown

International

Less than 10km

10km-50km

Greater than 50km

42.0%

21.8%

21.8%

10.9%

3.4%


Case Study 2HealthandInjury

2004-11

Percentage of coastal drowning deaths with contributory health issues or injury, (n=613)*

Figure 12

Itisrarethatanindividualdiesfromdrowninginacoastallocationwithoutsomecontributoryfactor.Awavecould

washarockfishermanoffarockledge,aripcurrentcouldsweepaswimmerfromshore,oranunderlyingmedicalconditioncouldmanifestitselfwhenanindividualisimmersedinwater.

Sevenyearsofcoastaldrowningdeathautopsyresultshavebeenanalysed.Therewere184fatalitiesassociatedwithmedicalconditionsand/orinjury.Atleast30%ofthedeceasedhavehadanunderlyingmedicalconditionoraninjurythecoronerhasrecordedascontributory.Only30%havebeenlistedassimplydrowningorimmersionwithoutanadditionalmedicalcause.Therearestillover40%ofcasesthathavenotresultedinanautopsyoranautopsyreportthatiselectronicallyavailable.

Itisimportanttonotethattheseadditionalfactorsarecontributorytodrowningdeaths.Ifthemedicalconditionssuchasheartattacksorepilepticseizures;theinjuriessuchasheadwoundsfromfallsorwatercraft,hadhappenedonlandtheymaynothaveresultedinafatality.Theadditionofwatertoanyrecreationalactivityaddssomeelementofdangerthatshouldnotbeoverlooked.

*2011-12numbersareexcludedduetotheunavailabilityofautopsyreportsatthistime.

None ContributingMedical/Injury

Unknown

30.0%

40.5%

29.5%

8 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: Queensland National Coastal Safety Report 2012

2004-12 Eight year trend of Qld coastal drowning deathsFigure14

Therehasbeenanaveragenumberof16coastaldrowningdeathsinQldfrom2004-12.Thisisanaveragerateof0.37per100,000population.

2004-12 Coastal drowning deaths by activityFigure13

TheratesofactivitytypesbeingundertakenwhencoastaldrowningdeathsoccurvariesovertimeinQueensland(Qld).In2011-12therewere30coastaldrowningdeaths;theswimmingandwading,boating,snorkellingandwatercraftactivityratesareallwellabovetheeightyearaverages.

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by activity (n=30) Figure15

ThemajorityofcoastaldrowningdeathsinQldoccurredwhenanindividualwasparticipatinginswimmingandwading(10),boating(6),orsnorkelling(5)activities.

Coastal Drowning DeathsQueensland

Unknown

Other

Snorkelling

Diving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Boating

Swimming/Wading

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0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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5

10

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20

25

30

35

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

18

11

17

12

9

1517

30

Unknown

Other

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Snorkelling

Boating

Swimming/Wading

33.3%

16.7%

13.3%

3.3%

6.7%

6.7%

20.0%

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: Queensland | 9

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by age group and sex (n=30) Figure16

The age groups representing the highest rates of fatalities are 70-74years(1.45)and15-19years(1.32).26(87%)offatalitiesweremale.

2011-12Distance from residence to drowning location (n=30) Figure18

12individualslivedgreaterthan50kilometresfromthedrowninglocation.

2011-12Distance from drowning location to lifesaving service (n=30) Figure19

16individualsdrownedgreaterthanfivekilometresfromthenearestlifesavingservice.

2011-12Location of coastal drowning deaths (n=30) Figure 17

17coastaldrowningdeathsoccurredatabeachlocation.

Coastal Drowning DeathsQueensland

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Age Group (Years)

0

1

2

3

4

85+

80-8

4

75-7

9

70-7

4

65-6

9

60-6

4

55-5

9

50-5

4

45-4

9

40-4

4

35-3

9

30-3

4

25-2

9

20-2

4

15-1

9

10-1

4

5-9

0-4

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

Bay

Marina/Jetty

Offshore

Beach

56.7%

20.0%

13.3%

10.0%

Unknown10km - 50kmInternationalLess than 10kmGreater than 50km

40.0%

26.7%

16.7%

13.3%

3.3%

36.7%

10.0%

1km - 5km

Greater than 5km

Less than 1km

53.3%

10 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: New South Wales National Coastal Safety Report 2012

Coastal Drowning DeathsNew South Wales

2004-12 Eight year trend of NSW coastal drowning deathsFigure 21

Therehasbeenanaveragenumberof37coastaldrowningdeathsinNSWfrom2004-12.Thisisanaveragerateof0.5per100,000population.

2004-12 Coastal drowning deaths by activityFigure 20

TheratesofactivitytypesbeingundertakenwhencoastaldrowningdeathsoccurvariesovertimeinNewSouthWales(NSW).In2011-12therewere47coastaldrowningdeaths;theswimmingandwadingactivityrateshaveincreasedbackuptotheaveragerateof0.19andtherockfishingrateis0.15,27%overtheaveragerateof0.11.

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by activity (n=47) Figure 22

ThemajorityofcoastaldrowningdeathsinNSWoccurredwhenanindividualwasparticipatinginswimmingandwading(14)orrockfishing(11)activities.

2.1%2.1%

2.1%

Unknown

Other

Snorkelling

Rock/Cliff Related

Diving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Boating

Rock Fishing

Swimming/Wading

29.8%

23.4%8.5%

10.6%

4.3%

6.4%

10.6%

Unknown

Other

Rock/Cliff Related

Snorkelling

Diving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Boating

Swimming/Wading

Rat

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0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

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0.30

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

35 35

45

29

39 39

23

47

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: New South Wales | 11

Coastal Drowning DeathsNew South Wales

2011-12Location of coastal drowning deaths (n=47)Figure24

21coastaldrowningdeathsoccurredatabeach and19atrock/clifflocations.

2011-12Distance from residence to drowning location (n=47) Figure25

16individualslivedgreaterthan50kilometresfromthedrowninglocation.

2011-12Distance from drowning location to lifesaving service (n=47) Figure26

27individualsdrownedgreaterthanfivekilometresfromthenearestlifesavingservice.

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by age group and sex (n=47) Figure23

The age groups representing the highest rates of fatalities are 20-24years(1.40)and25-29years(1.34).42(89%)offatalitiesweremale.

Offshore

Bay

Rock/Cliff

Beach

44.7%

40.4%

8.5%

6.4%

Unknown

International

Less than 10km

10km-50km

Greater than 50km

34.0%

27.7%

25.5%

8.5%4.3%

1km - 5km

Greater than 5km

Less than 1km

57.4%23.4%

19.1%

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Age Group (Years)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Un

know

n

85+

80-8

4

75-7

9

70-7

4

65-6

9

60-6

4

55-5

9

50-5

4

45-4

9

40-4

4

35-3

9

30-3

4

25-2

9

20-2

4

15-1

9

10-1

4

5-9

0-4

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

12 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: Victoria National Coastal Safety Report 2012

2004-12 Eight year trend of Vic coastal drowning deathsFigure28

Therehasbeenanaveragenumberof13coastaldrowningdeathsinVicfrom2004-12.Thisisanaveragerateof0.24per100,000population.

2004-12 Coastal drowning deaths by activityFigure 27

TheratesofactivitytypesbeingundertakenwhencoastaldrowningdeathsoccurvariesovertimeinVictoria(Vic).In2011-12therewere10coastaldrowningdeaths;theswimmingandwading,boatingandrockfishingactivityratesareallbelowtheeightyearaverages.

2011-12Coastal drowning deaths by activity (n=10)Figure29

ThemajorityofcoastaldrowningdeathsinVicoccurredwhenanindividualwasparticipatinginswimmingandwading(4)orboating(2)activities.

Coastal Drowning DeathsVictoria

Unknown

Other

Rock/Cliff Related

Snorkelling

Diving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Boating

Swimming/Wading

Rat

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0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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18

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

1415

11 1112

10 10

17

40%

20%

10%

10%

10%

10%

Snorkelling

Rock Fishing

Diving

Boating

Watercraft

Swimming/Wading

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: Victoria | 13


The age group representing the highest rates of fatalities is 35-44years(0.50).Nine(90%)offatalitiesweremale.

2011-12Distance from residence to drowning location (n=10)Figure32

Fourindividualslivedgreaterthan50kilometresfromthedrowninglocation.

2011-12Distance from drowning location to lifesaving service (n=10)Figure33

Sixindividualsdrownedlessthanonekilometrefromthenearestlifesavingservice.


Fourcoastaldrowningdeathsoccurredatabeachlocation.

Coastal Drowning DeathsVictoria

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Age Group (Years)

85+

80-8

4

75-7

9

70-7

4

65-6

9

60-6

4

55-5

9

50-5

4

45-4

9

40-4

4

35-3

9

30-3

4

25-2

9

20-2

4

15-1

9

10-1

4

5-9

0-4

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0

1

2

Rock/Cliff

Offshore

Bay

Beach

40%

30%

20%

10%

40%

30%

10%

10%

10%

Unknown

International

Less than 10km

10km - 50km

Greater than 50km

60%

30%

10%

1km - 5km

Greater than 5km

Less than 1km

14 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: South Australia National Coastal Safety Report 2012

2004-12 Eight year trend of SA coastal drowning deathsFigure35

TherehasbeenanaverageofsevencoastaldrowningdeathsperyearinSAfrom2004-12.Thisisanaveragerateof0.50per100,000population.


TheratesofactivitytypesbeingundertakenwhencoastaldrowningdeathsoccurvariesovertimeinSouthAustralia(SA).In2011-12thereweresevencoastaldrowningdeaths;theboatinganddivingactivityratesarewellabovetheeightyearaverage,butswimming/wadingandwatercraftactivityratesarebelowtheaverage.


ThemajorityofcoastaldrowningdeathsinSAoccurredwhenanindividualwasparticipatinginboating(4)activity.

Unknown

Other

Rock/Cliff Related

Snorkelling

Diving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Boating

Swimming/Wading

Rat

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0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.45

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

9

4

9

3

7

2

13

11

14.3%

57.1%

14.3%

14.3%

Other

Swimming/Wading

Diving

Boating

Coastal Drowning DeathsSouth Australia

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: South Australia | 15


Theagegrouprepresentingthehighestrateoffatalitiesis50-54years(1.75).Six(86%)offatalitiesweremale.




Fiveindividualsdrownedgreaterthanfivekilometresfromthenearestlifesavingservice.


Fourcoastaldrowningdeathsoccurredatanoffshorelocation.

Coastal Drowning DeathsSouth Australia

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Age Group (Years)

0

1

2

3

85+

80-8

4

75-7

9

70-7

4

65-6

9

60-6

4

55-5

9

50-5

4

45-4

9

40-4

4

35-3

9

30-3

4

25-2

9

20-2

4

15-1

9

10-1

4

5-9

0-4

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

14.3%

Beach

Marina/Jetty

Offshore

57.1%28.6%

42.9%

10km - 50km

Greater than 50km

57.1%

28.6%

Less than 1km

Greater than 5km71.4%

16 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: Western Australia National Coastal Safety Report 2012

2004-12 Eight year trend of WA coastal drowning deathsFigure42

Therehasbeenanaverageof12coastaldrowningdeathsinWAfrom2004-12.Thisisanaveragerateof0.54per100,000population.


TheratesofactivitytypesbeingundertakenwhencoastaldrowningdeathsoccurvariesovertimeinWesternAustralia(WA).In2011-12therewere15coastaldrowningdeaths;theswimming/wadingandboatingactivityratesarebelowaverage,butrockfishing,watercraft,andsnorkellingactivitiesarewellabovetheeightyearaverages.


ThemajorityofcoastaldrowningdeathsinWAoccurredwhenanindividualwasparticipatinginrockfishing(4)orusingnon-poweredwatercraft(4).

Coastal Drowning DeathsWestern Australia

Unknown

Other

Rock/Cliff Related

Snorkelling

Diving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Boating

Swimming/Wading

Rat

e (p

er 1

00,0

00 p

op.)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op.)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

8

15 15

13

12 12

11

10

26.7%

26.7%20.0%

13.3%

13.3%

Diving

Swimming/Wading

Snorkelling

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: Western Australia | 17


Theagegrouprepresentingthehighestrateoffatalitiesis70-74years(4.39).Fourteen(93%)offatalitiesweremale.


Eightindividualslivedgreaterthan50kilometresfromthedrowninglocation.


Eightindividualsdrownedgreaterthanfivekilometresfromthenearestlifesavingservice.


Sixcoastaldrowningdeathsoccurredatabeachlocation.

Coastal Drowning DeathsWestern Australia

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op.)

Age Group (Years)

0

1

2

3

85+

80-8

4

75-7

9

70-7

4

65-6

9

60-6

4

55-5

9

50-5

4

45-4

9

40-4

4

35-3

9

30-3

4

25-2

9

20-2

4

15-1

9

10-1

4

5-9

0-4

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

40.0%

26.7%

20.0%

13.3%

Bay

Offshore

Rock/Cliff

Beach

53.3%

26.7%

20.0%

International

Less than 10km

Greater than 50km

53.3%

26.7%

20.0%

1km - 5km

Less than 1km

Greater than 5km

18 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: Tasmania National Coastal Safety Report 2012

2004-12 Eight year trend of Tas coastal drowning deathsFigure49

TherehasbeenanaverageoffivecoastaldrowningdeathsinTasfrom2004-12.Thisisanaveragerateof1.05per100,000population.


TheratesofactivitytypesbeingundertakenwhencoastaldrowningdeathsoccurvariesovertimeinTasmania(Tas).In2011-12thereweresixcoastaldrowningdeaths;theboatinganddivingactivityratesarewellabovetheeightyearaverage,buttherewerenoswimmingandwadingdeaths.


ThecoastaldrowningdeathsinTasoccurredwhenanindividualwasparticipatinginboating(4)ordiving(2)activities.

Coastal Drowning DeathsTasmania

UnknownOther

Rock/Cliff Related

SnorkellingDiving

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

BoatingSwimming/Wading

Rat

e (p

er 1

00,0

00 p

op.)

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op.)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

5 5

2

8 8

3

5

6

33.3%

Diving

Boating

66.7%

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Coastal Drowning Deaths: Tasmania | 19


Theagegrouprepresentingthehighestrateoffatalitiesis55-59years(5.73).Allsix(100%)offatalitiesweremale.




Allsixindividualsdrownedgreaterthanfivekilometresfromthenearestlifesavingservice.


Fivecoastaldrowningdeathsoccurredatanoffshorelocation.

Coastal Drowning DeathsTasmania

16.7%

Bay

Offshore83.3%

33.3%

10km - 50km

Greater than 50km

66.7%

Greater than 5km

100%

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op.)

Age Group (Years)

0

1

2

85+

80-8

4

75-7

9

70-7

4

65-6

9

60-6

4

55-5

9

50-5

4

45-4

9

40-4

4

35-3

9

30-3

4

25-2

9

20-2

4

15-1

9

10-1

4

5-9

0-4

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

20 | Coastal Drowning Deaths: Northern Territory National Coastal Safety Report 2012

2004-12 Eight year trend of NT coastal drowning deathsFigure55

TherehasbeenanaverageoftwocoastaldrowningdeathsperyearinNorthernTerritory(NT)from2004-12.Thisisanaveragerateof0.84per100,000population.In2011-12therewerefourcoastaldrowningdeathsinNT.

Further analysis of the 2011-12 coastal drowning deaths in the Northern Territory will not be published because there were less than five fatalities this past year.

Coastal Drowning DeathsNorthern Territory

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op.)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

0 0

1 1 1

4

6

2

Case Study 3ForeignEthnicityandInternationalTourists

2004-12

Foreign ethnicity and international tourist coastal drowning deaths

Figure56

Thenumberofcoastaldrowningdeathsthatoccurtopersonsofforeignethnicityremainsasignificantproportionofthetotaldrowningtoll.Therehavebeen262fatalitiesofpersonsofknownforeignethnicityfrom2004-2012,representing36%ofallcoastaldrowningdeaths.79(30%)ofthesewereinternationaltouristswhorepresent11%ofallcoastaldrowningdeaths.

Therewere33(28%)deathsofpersonsofknownforeignethnicityin2011-12,13(39%)wereinternationaltourists.TworegionsmostrepresentedinthesestatisticsareChina(15%)andtheUnitedKingdom(12%).MostofthedrowningdeathsoccurredinNSW(52%),whileswimmingandwading(33%)orrockfishing(24%),inabeach(42%)orrock/cliff(33%)location.

Thisover-representationofpersonsofaforeignethnicityinourdrowningdataremainsconsistentandwillcontinuetobeaninterventionpriority.

Num

ber

(n)

Foreign EthnicityInternational Tourists

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Case Studies | 21

Case Study 4AlcoholandDrugs

2004-11

Percentage of coastal drowning deaths with contributory alcohol or drug use, (n=613)*

Figure57

TheAustralianWaterSafetyCouncilhasidentifiedfourkeydrowningchallengesintheirrevisedstrategylaunched

thisyear(AWSC,2012).OneofthesechallengesisAlcoholandDrugRelatedDrowningDeaths.Therewere136coastaldrowningdeathsassociatedwithalcoholand/ordrugtoxicitybetween2004and2011*.Theserepresentover22%ofallcoastaldrowningdeaths.Thisislikelyanunderestimateas33%ofthecasesdonotincludeatoxicologyreport.

Atleast35%ofthedeceasedwereswimmingorwadingatthetimeoftheincident,20%wereboatingand8%wererockfishing.Malesrepresent85%ofthealcohol/drugrelateddeaths;theagegroupmostrepresentedis45-49years(15%).

Intoxicatedindividualsaremoreatriskfordrowningduetotheirimpairedjudgementandcoordination.Alcoholanddrugsshouldbeavoidedwhenrecreationalactivitiesincludewater.Interventionstrategiesshouldtargetmenintheir40swhointendtoswimorengageinboatingactivitiesundertheinfluence.

*2011-12numbersareexcludedduetotheunavailabilityoftoxicologyreportsatthistime.

Unknown

ToxicityNo toxicity

22.2%

33.4%

44.4%

Case Study 5RockFishing

2004-11

Rock fishing related coastal drowning deaths

Figure58

Anaverageof12coastaldrowningdeathsperyearhaveoccurredduringrockfishingactivitiesinAustraliafrom2004-12.Thispastyear,2011-12,therewere16,25%abovetheeightyearaverage.

Rockfishingremainstheactivitywiththethirdhighestrateofcoastaldrowningnationally,afterswimming/wadingandboating.

SLSAwascontractedbytheNSWDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriestoconductaresearchreviewofrockfishingsafetyinNSWfollowingrecommendationsbytheCoroner.Thereport(Bradstreetetal.,2012)madethreemainrecommendationstoaddressthishazardousrecreationalactivity.Therecommendationsare:todevelopastrategicplanforrockfishingsafetyunderanyproposedcomprehensivewatersafetystrategies;develop,implementandassessapubliceducationandcommunicationscampaign;andtolegislatethemandatorywearingofPersonalFlotationDevices(PFDs)whilerockfishingatcoastallocations.

Therehavebeenatotalof94rockfishingdeathsinthelasteightyears,91(97%)havebeenmaleindividuals;theaverageageis45years.Themajority,59(63%),havebeenindividualsofforeignethnicity,28(47%)ofthesehavebeenofChinesedecent.Rockfishingsafetymaterialshavebeendevelopedinseveraldifferentlanguages.Thereductionofrockfishingrelateddrowningremainsapriorityforourpubliceducationanddrowningpreventioncampaigns.

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op.)

0

5

10

15

20

25

2011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

9

20

4

12 11

16 16

6

22 | Glossary National Coastal Safety Report 2012

ALS -AustralianLifeguardService.

Attempting rescue -Anindividualmakesanefforttoremove someonefromadangeroussituation.

AWSC -AustralianWaterSafetyCouncilalsoAustralianWaterSafetyConference.

AWSS -AustralianWaterSafetyStrategy.

Bay -Abodyofwaterpartiallyenclosedbylandbutwithawidemouth,affordingaccesstothesea.

Beach -Anexpanseofsandorpebblesalongashoreline.

Blackspot -Anareawithahighconcentrationofcoastal/oceanincidentsandahighprobability/riskofongoingreoccurrence.

Boating -Individualsusingeitherapoweredvesselorsailingboatforpleasureand/orfishing.

Coastal -Theforeshore,seabed,coastalwater,andairspaceabovealargebodyofwater(harbour/bay/inlet),includingareasupto2NMoffshoreandofwhichthelandwardboundaryisthelineofmeanhighwater,exceptthatwherethatlinecrossesariver/inlet,thelandwardboundaryatthatpointshallbethepointupstreamthatiscalculatedbymultiplyingthewidthoftheriver/inletmouthby5(AdoptedfromtheResourceManagementAmendmentAct1991-NewZealand).

Coastal death -Afatalityarisingfromvariouscircumstances(e.g.heartattack,boatcollision,fall,sharkattack)occurringwherethelocationofthedeathiscoastal.

Coastal drowning death -Wherethelocationofthedrowningisonthecoast,intheoceanupto2NMoff-shoreorinlandupto5timesthewidthoftheinlet/river.

Crude drowning rate -Thecrudedrowningrateisacomparativerateofdrowningtothesizeofthepopulationinthatarea.

Disaster incident -Anexceptionaleventwhichsuddenlykills10ormorepeople;reportedlyaffects100ormoreindividuals;astateofemergencyisdeclared;orthereisacallforinternationalassistance(CRED,2009).Thismaybearesultofanaturaldisastersuchasseverefloodingoratsunami;oratechnologicaldisastersuchasamechanisedmodeoftransportaccident.

Diving -EngaginginrecreationalorcommercialSCUBAdiving.

Drowning -Theprocessofexperiencingrespiratoryimpairmentfromsubmersion/immersioninliquid.

Drowning death -Afatalityarisingfromtheprocessofrespiratoryimpairmentasaresultofsubmersion/immersioninliquid.

First Aid -Immediateoremergencyassistancegivenonthespottopeoplesufferingfromillnessorinjury.

Fishing -Theactofcatchingfish.

Foreign ethnicity -IndividualswhoidentifywithaculturalgroupotherthanAustralianbasedonheritage,language,orsharedcustoms.Thisidentificationisextrapolatedfromreporteddatasuchastheindividualscountryofbirthandthemainlanguagespokenathome.

Hotspot -Anareawithalow/mediumconcentrationofcoastal/oceanincidentscombinedwithahighnumberofrescues/preventativeactions.

HRS -Helicopterrescueservice.

ILS -InternationalLifeSavingFederation.

Inland -Anareathatisbeyondthelineofmeanhighwaterorbeyondalandwarddistanceof5timesthewidthofthecoastalinlet/rivermouth.

Inland death -Afatalityarisingfromvariouscircumstances(e.g.heartattack,boatcollision,fall,sharkattack)occurringwherethelocationofthedeathisnotconsideredcoastal,butoccursinaninlandbodyofwatersuchasariver,lake,creek,ordam.

Inland drowning death - A fatality arising from the

impairmentofrespiratoryfunctionasaresultofimmersioninliquid,wherethelocationofthedrowningisnotconsideredcoastalbutoccursinandinlandbodyofwatersuchasariver,lake,creek,ordam.

International -Anindividualwhoisconfirmedtoresideoverseesand/orisatemporaryvisitortoAustralia.

IRB -Inflatablerescueboat.

JRB -Jetrescueboat.

Lake -Aninlandbodyofwatersurroundedbyland.

Leisure activity -Anactivitycommencedonlandsuchasplay,walking,jogging,orcycling.

Lifeguard -Typicallyapaidemployeeatabeachoranotheraquaticenvironmentwhoseroleistorescuepeopleindangerofdrowningorpreventthemgettingintothatsituation.

Glossary

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Glossary | 23

Lifesaving service -Aservicewhichexiststoprovideaquaticsafetyservicestothepublic.

Marina/jetty -Aboatbasinofferingdockageandotherserviceforsmallcraft,orapier/wharf.

NCIS -NationalCoronersInformationSystem.

Ocean death -Afatalityarisingfromvariouscircumstances(e.g.heartattack,boatcollision,fall,sharkattack)occurringwherethelocationofthedeathisintheoceangreaterthan2NMoffshore,butnogreaterthan12NM.

Ocean drowning death -Wherethelocationofthedrowningisintheoceangreaterthan2NMoffshore,butnogreaterthan12NM.

Open ocean -Theseabed,waterandairspaceabovethewaterbetween2NMand12NM(theAustralianterritorialwaterslimit)offshore.

ORB -Offshorerescueboat.

Patrolled location -Alocationsupervisedconstantlyorperiodicallybyalifesavingservice.

Prevention -Whereinterventionbyalifesavingresourceavertsaperson/sfromgettingintoapotentiallylifethreateningsituation.

Rescue -Whereinterventionbyalifesavingresourceremovesaperson/sfromalifethreateningorpotentiallylifethreateningsituation.

Resuscitation -Preservationorrestorationoflifebyestablishingandmaintainingapersonsairway,breathingandcirculation.

RIB -Rigidinflatableboat.

Rip current -Anarrowseawardflowingcurrentofwatermovingthroughasurfzone(Short,2003).

Rock/cliff -Arockyshorelinethatmayormaynothaveahighsteepface.

Rock/cliff related -Anactivitybesidesfishingthatisperformedonarockyshorelineoroffagroyne.

ROT -RemoteOffshoreTerritory.

River -Anaturalstreamofwaterflowingintoanoceanorbay.

RWC -Rescuewatercraft-sometimescalledapersonalwatercraft.

Rock fishing death - Afatalityarisingfromvariouscircumstancesoccurring(e.g.wavemotion,lossoffooting)wheretheVictimwasparticipatinginfishingactivitiesonarockycoastimmediatelypriortoorduringtheincident.

Service gap -Anareaidentifiedashavinganinadequatelevelofresourcestomeetpublicsafetydemands.

Service season & hours -Varybetweenstatesduetoclimacticfactors,butinthecontextofthisreport,theseasonisfortheperiodJuly2010toJune2011.

Snorkelling -Swimmingwithasnorkelandfacemask.

Support operations -Rapidresponserescueunits,notaffiliatedtoanyonesurflifesavingclub.

Surfcom -SLSradiocommunicationscentrewhichassistsinmanagingthecommunicationsoflifesavingoperationsanddatacollection.

Surf lifesaver -Typicallyavolunteeratabeachoranotheraquaticenvironmentwhoseroleistorescuepeopleindangerofdrowningorpreventthemgettingintothatsituation.

Swimming -Apersonwhoisactivewhileimmersedinwater.

Total service plan -Anassessmentofcurrentandfuturelifesavingresources,nationalblackspots,hotspotsandtrends.

Undetermined -CasesthatarenotassociatedwithaclosedcoronersreportonNCISareoftenleftundetermineduntilanofficialcauseofdeathhasbeendetermined.Someexamplesarecaseswherebodieshavebeenfoundwasheduponthebeachorreportsofindividualsstrugglingincoastalenvironmentsaremadeandthebodiesarenotfound.Thesedeathswillallbefolloweduponandtheincidentcategoryupdatedoncecoronerdeterminationsaremadeaccessible.

Wading -Apersonwhoispartiallyimmersedinwaterwhilestanding.

Watercraft -Apieceofnonpoweredrecreationalequipmentusedinthewaterwhichisnotaboat.Examplesincludesurfboards,boogieboards,andwindsurfers.

Glossary

24 | Why do people drown? National Coastal Safety Report 2012

Anunderstandingofwhypeopledrownissignificantwhendevelopingdrowningpreventionstrategies.Fourkeyfactorshavebeenidentifiedthatmayleadtoaccidentaldrowning,knownastheDrowningChain.Anyofthesefactorsalone,oracombination,couldleadtodeathbydrowning(George,2011).

Drowning chain and drowning prevention strategiesTable 2

Why do people drown?

Drowning Chain Drowning Prevention Strategies

Lackofknowledge,disregardormisjudgmentofahazard Educationandinformation

Uninformed,unprotectedorunrestrictedaccesstoahazard Denialofaccess,improvementofinfrastructureand/orprovisionofwarnings

Lackofsupervisionorsurveillance Provisionofsupervision

Inabilitytocopeonceindifficulty Acquisitionofsurvivalskills

REDUCE DROWNING

LACK

OF

KNOW

LEDG

E, DIS

REGARD

FOR

OR M

ISUN

DERS

TAND

ING OF

THE HA

ZARD

RISK

ASSE

SSME

NT

TO IN

CREA

SE K

NOWL

ED

GE TH

ROUGH Q

UALITY

PUBL

IC E

DUCA

TION A

ND AW

ARENESS

TO PROMOTE SAFE AQUATIC

ENVIRONMENTS

TO PROMOTE QUALITY

LIFESAVING SERVICES

TO PROM

OTE T

HE AC

QUIS

ITIO

N

OF SU

RVIVA

L SKI

LLS

EDUC

ATE A

ND

INFO

RM

PROVIDE WARNINGS

AND DENY ACCESSEXTEND

LIFESAVING SERVICESINCR

EASE

SURVIV

AL SK

ILLS

RISK ASSESSMENTRISK ASSESSMENTRIS

K ASS

ESSM

ENT

UNINFORMED OR UNRESTRICTED

ACCESS TO THE HAZARDLACK OF SURPERVISIONOR SURVEILLANCE

INABIL

ITY TO

COP

E

ONCE IN

DIFF

ICUL

TY

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 Methodology | 25

The2011-12NationalCoastalSafetyReportcontainsinformationonallcoastaldrowningdeathsfortheperiodof1July2011to30June2012.Thisinformationiscorrectasof16October2012.

Allcareistakentoensurethestatisticalinformationincludedwithinthisreportiscorrect.However,pendingtheoutcomeofongoingcoronialinvestigations,thisdatamaybeamended.

Data Sources

SLSAcollectsincidentdatafromourownSurfGuardIncidentReportDatabase(IRD),theNationalCoronialInformationSystem(NCIS)andbymonitoringmediareportsfordrowningincidents.

TheinformationisverifiedwiththeassistanceofeachstateSurfLifeSavingcentreandcompliedforanalysisbySLSAsLifesavingandResearchDepartments.Thefollowinginformationisrecordedforeachdrowningincident:state;date;drowninglocation;GPScoordinates;time;age;gender;incidenttype;activityinformation;whethertheincidentwasworkrelated;enteredintoIRD;IRDnumber;NCIScasenumber;whetherthecaseisopen/closed;whetherthecasewasreportedbythestate;theoriginalsourceofinformation;drowninglocationsuburb;localgovernmentarea;postcode;associatedSLSclub;month;day;season;quarter;victimsname;address;residencecountry;residencedistancetocoastline;residencedistancetodrowninglocation;victimsbirthcountry;nationality;timeinAustralia;mainlanguage;additionalactivityinformation;thevictimsexperienceintheactivity;whethertheincidentwasripcurrentrelated;detaileddescriptionoftheincident;detailsrelatingtoalcohol;drugs;orhealthconditions;weatherconditions;windconditions;seaconditions/wavesize;wavetype;watersurface;temperature;tides;locationtoalifeguardingservice;whetherornotthelocationwaspatrolledatthetime;personnelwhofirstsightedtheincident;firstrescued;otherservices;andresuscitationdetails.

Thefollowingvariablesareusedtomatchdrowningcasesfrommorethanonedatasource:incidentdate;location;age;gender;andincidentdescription.TheNCISisconsideredthegoldstandardwhenthereisadiscrepancyinthedetailscollectedfromdifferentdatasources.

Verification Process

ThecoastaldrowningdatathathasbeenpublishedinpreviousNCSReditionssince2004-05isconstantlyreviewedtoensurethevalidityofthedata.Eachcasewasanalysedtoensurethatthedescriptionsascoastaldrowningdeath,coastaldeath,inlanddrowningdeath,oceandrowningdeath,andundeterminedmeetbothourcurrentdefinitionsand

theNCISinformationavailable.Deathsthatarereportedasunintentional,unknownintentandunlikelytoknowintentareincluded.Deathsareexcludediftheyarereportedasintentionaldeaths,theyareinland/oceanlocationsdrowningordrowning/immersionisnottheprimarycauseofdeath.

Thenewlistiscomparedtotheoriginalworkbookandanynecessaryinclusionsaremade.AlldetailsarealsomatchedwiththeNCISreports.WhenincidentsonourworkbookarenotfoundonNCISweliaisewithNCISpersonnelforhelp.CaseswithdetailedIRDandmediareportsareinvestigatedandincludedwhetherpersonnelcanfindanNCIScasenumberornot.

Limitations

OveryearsofinvestigationaspartoftheNCISprocess,somecasesareamendedpriortotheirclosure,resultinginchangestotheclassificationofcasesinourdatasets.Therefore,thenumberofcoastaldrowningdeathspublishedinthisreportmaybedifferentfromannualtotalspreviouslyreported.Inanefforttoproduceatimelyreportonourcurrentyearsdataweacknowledgethatthesefigureswillchange.Eachyear,thechangesthatoccurinthepreviousyearsreportwillbemadetransparent.Thedatainthiscurrentreportarenotthefinalfiguresas68%of2011-12coastaldrowningdeathsreportedremainopencasesand31%ofcasesdonothaveacauseofdeath(COD)listedyet.OnceaclosureoccurstoNCIScaseswecanmodifyundeterminedcases,thosewithunknownintent,andthosewherethecauseofdeathisnotdrowning.

Alldeathsknowntohaveoccurredincoastalwatershavebeenincludedascoastaldrowningdeaths,unlesstheCODislistedasotherwise.BarsoftwodifferentcoloursareusedtoillustratetheeventswhereaCODhasnotbeenlistedonNCIS.Theincidentsareincludedinourannualtotalsandanalysis,theywillremainsountiltheeventaCODislistedotherthandrowning/immersion.

What is a coastal drowning death?

SLSAdefinesacoastaldrowningdeathasafatalityarisingfromtheprocessofrespiratoryimpairmentfromsubmersion/immersionintheforeshore,seabed,coastalwater,andairspaceabovealargebodyofwater(harbour/bay/inlet),includingareasupto2nauticalmilesoffshoreandofwhichthelandwardboundaryisthelineofmeanhighwater,exceptthatwherethatlinecrossesariver/inlet.Inthiscasethelandwardboundaryatthatpointshallbethepointupstreamthatiscalculatedbymultiplyingthewidthoftheriver/inletmouthby5.Theseunambiguouscoastal/inlandboundarieshavebeenadoptedfromNewZealandsResourceManagementAmendmentAct1993.

Methodology

26 | Methodology National Coastal Safety Report 2012

Changes from previous reports

OveryearsofinvestigationaspartoftheNCISprocess,somecasesareamendedpriortotheirclosureandhaveresultedinchangestoourdatasets.Thenewnumbersofcoastaldrowningdeathsaredifferentfromtheannualtotalsthathavebeenpreviouslyreportedascaseshaveclosed.

Changes in the number of coastal drowning deaths per year

as reported in 2011

Welookforwardtocontinuingourverificationprocessesinthefuturetoensurethemostcorrectdataisbeingreported.

Suggested Citation

SurfLifeSavingAustralia(2012)NationalCoastalSafetyReport2012.SLSA:Sydney.

Table3

2011 NCSR 2012 NCSR

2004 - 05 92 89

2005 - 06 103 95

2006 - 07 103 98

2007 - 08 92 89

2008 - 09 91 89

2009 - 10 84 83

2010 - 11 61 70

Methodology

National Coastal Safety Report 2012 References | 27

Withthanks

SurfLifeSavingAustraliawishestothankthefollowingpeopleandorganisationsfortheircontributiontothe2012NationalCoastalSafetyReport:

TheAustralianGovernment,principallytheDepartmentofthePrimeMinisterandCabinet;SLSApartners,includingDHL,TelstraandWestpac;SurfLifeSavingstatecentres,branches,clubsandsupportoperations;SLSAsResearchDepartment,Dr.ShaunaSherker,BarbaraBrightonandtheSLSAResearchAdvisoryCommittee;RoyalLifeSavingSocietyAustralia,AmyPeden;NationalCoronialInformationSystempersonnel,JoCotsonisandLeanneDaking.

AustralianWaterSafetyCouncil(2012).Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-2015.AustralianWaterSafetyCouncil:Sydney.

Bradstreet,A.,Sherker,S.,Brighton,B.,Weir,A.,Thompson,M.(2012)Research Review of Rock Fishing in New South Wales. SurfLifeSavingAustralia:Sydney.

CentreforResearchontheEpidemiologyofDisasters-CRED(2009)Explanatory Notes: Criteria and Definition. Retrievedfromhttp://www.emdat.be/criteria-and-definitionon05/09/2011

George,P.(2011)Drowning Prevention Strategies 2011.WorldConferenceonDrowningPrevention. InternationalLifeSavingFederation,Danang.

NewZealand,MinistryfortheEnvironment(1991)Resource Management Act 1991. Retrievedfromhttp://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1991/0069/latest/DLM230265. html?search=ts_act_Resource+Management+Act_resel&p=1&sr=1on05/09/2011

Short,A.D.(2003)Australia beach systems - the morphodynamics of wave through tide-dominated beach-dune systems.JournalofCoastalResearchSI35,7-20.

References

28 | Contents National Coastal Safety Report 2012

SurfLifeSavingreceivesvaluableGovernmentfundingtocommencevaluableinitiativesandprograms.However,werelyonthegenerosityofthecommunityandcorporatesupporttoensuretheycontinue.

To help Surf Life Saving, please donate to the

Surf Life Saving Foundation

www.sls.com.au

For more information

Surf Life Saving Australia

www.sls.com.au

Surf Life Saving New South Wales

www.surflifesaving.com.au

Surf Life Saving Northern Territory

www.lifesavingnt.com.au

Surf Life Saving Queensland

www.lifesaving.com.au

Surf Life Saving South Australia

www.surfrescue.com.au

Surf Life Saving Tasmania

www.slst.asn.au

Life Saving Victoria

www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au

Surf Life Saving Western Australia

www.mybeach.com.au

2011-12 National Coastal Drowning Snapshot Overall

119coastaldrowningdeaths Abovetheeightyearaverageof92

Demographics

106(89%)weremales 35(29%)wereagedbetween15-29years;individuals

70-74hadthehighestdrowningrateof1.2per100,000population

33(28%)wereknowntobeofaforeignethnicity;13(11%)wereinternationalvisitors

Time

38(32%)occurredbetween12pm4pm 79(66%)occurredoutsideofthesummermonths

Activity

32(27%)wereattributedtoswimming/wading 20(17%)wereattributedtoboating 16(13%)wereattributedtorockfishing

Contributory Factors

22(19%)wereattributedtoripcurrents 12(10%)wereattributedtoamedicalconditionorinjury 8(7%)wereattributedtoalcoholand/ordrugtoxicity

Location

53(45%)occurredatabeach 50(42%)ofindividualslivedmorethan50kmfromthe

drowninglocation 67(56%)ofindividualsdrownedwithin5kmfromthe

nearestlifesavingservice

national coastal safety report 2012

Documents