Mr Tehan is supporting Royal Life Saving in calling for widespread community action to reduce the drowning toll. Mr Tehan says we still need more water safety education in all areas of Australia as figures show 315 people drowned in the past 12 months.
Following the release of the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report at Parliament House in Canberra this week, Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan says we can all do more to be careful around water highlighting that drownings in rivers, creeks or streams are on the rise.
Mr Tehan is supporting Royal Life Saving in calling for widespread community action to reduce the drowning toll. Mr Tehan says we still need more water safety education in all areas of Australia as figures show 315 people drowned in the past 12 months. The report covers the period 1st July 2010 to 30th June 2011.
Drowning deaths are now at their highest level since 2003 and have jumped by 11% when compared to the 5 year average. Significantly, the new report highlights that 36% of all drowning deaths nationwide are now happening in a river, creek or stream. The number of people drowning in rivers, creeks or streams has almost doubled from 2008 to 2011.
The report shows men are three and a half times more likely to drown than women with men aged 18 to 34 being of continuing concern.
Mr Tehan said, “One life lost is one life too many. There are so many tragedies happening. So many families are being affected. I urge people to ensure their swimming skills are up to scratch. We are urging people to ensure their children have the strongest possible swimming skills.”
People often think drowning tends to happen more often at beaches, when the reality is inland waterways claim many more lives. Vigilance is the key. By visiting the Royal Life Saving website at www.royallifesaving.com.au you can get lots of practical tips that will help. The report is a sobering reminder for all Australians that drowning continues to be a significant problem. One the whole community needs to be concerned about.”
Royal Life Saving’s CEO Rob Bradley says it is alarming to see there has been a significant increase in the number of people aged over 55 years that are drowning. Deaths in people aged over 55 years have jumped to 117 in 2011 representing, 37% of all drowning deaths nationwide. They commonly drown in rivers, creeks and streams. Rob Bradley says it is clear with Australia’s ageing population this figure will get worse unless urgent action is taken.
Mr Tehan said, “It’s clear more work has to be done to identify and rectify drowning black spots. There needs to be clear risk reduction programs that include better signage and identification of safe swimming locations.”
Royal Life Saving points out that there were 52 flood related drowning deaths last year – 38 were as a result of the flooding in Queensland.
Picture caption: Dan Tehan MP pictured with Olympic Champion and UNLCE TOBYS® Ambassador Grant Hackett helping to launch the new Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2011. Full details can be found at www.royallifesaving.com.au.
Media Contact: Lisa Downs 03 5561 6405 or 0400 192 205
KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE 2010/11
• 315 people drowned in Australia between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011.
• 241 (77%) were male and 71 (23%) female. Sex was unknown in three cases.
• 107 (34%) drowning deaths occurred in NSW, 93 (30%) in Queensland.
• 38 (12%) people drowned in the Queensland floods throughout December and January.
• 114 (36%) drowning deaths occurred in River / Creek / Stream locations.
• 16% (50) of drowning deaths occurred while Swimming and Recreating in water.
• 15% (47) of drowning deaths occurred as a result of Falling or Wandering into water.
• Drowning deaths occurred all year round with 129 (41%) occurring in Summer.
The Victorian state breakdown of drowning deaths is as follows:
• Victoria – 38 drowning deaths in 2010/2011
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