2018/19 Life Saving Victoria

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2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
2018/19
Life Saving
Victoria
Drowning

56
Report
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
CEO’s Report                                                           3
Contents
            Summary Drowning Statistics                                            4
            Our Performance                                                        6
            Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes                               9
            Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes – Key Success                 10
            Who is Drowning?                                                       12
            When, Where, What                                                      16
            Risk Factors                                                           21
            Coronial Recommendations                                               22
            Snapshot: Murray River Drowning 2008/09 to 2018/19                     23
            Snapshot: Coastal Blackspot Projects                                   24
            Drowning Profiles by Victorian Statistical Areas, 2008/09 to 2017/18   26

  157
            Victorian Water Safety Industry                                        32
            Methods                                                                33

                                     total drowning incidents
                                     (fatal and non-fatal).
       Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 2
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
 69% increase in those walking or
                                             A

                                                                                                                                                   CEO’s Report
                                                                                        In terms of activities geared towards
                                             playing near water just prior to the       drowning prevention in the future,
                                             fatal drowning incident compared to        we have continued our progress
                                             the 10-year average. This was also         in developing swimming skills and
                                             the most common activity in 2018/19        water safety knowledge of primary
                                             representing 21% (12) of all incidents.    school children, which is a foundation
                                              nintentional water entry (including
                                             U                                          strategy for water safety in Victoria. We
                                             slips/trips/falls and attempting a         welcomed funding from the Department
                                             rescue) accounted for 46% (26) of          of Education and Training for the Public
                                             fatal drowning incidents this year.        Water Safety Initiative, which focusses
                                             This is double that of the past decade     on supporting schools and aquatic
                                             with an average of 13 (33%) per year       facilities in delivering swimming and
                                             from 2008/09 to 2017/18.                   water safety education.
                                              ine drowning deaths in which
                                             N                                          Meanwhile, the Safer Public Pools
                                             alcohol and/or illicit drugs were          Project, delivered in partnership with
Tragically, 56 people in Victoria lost                                                  the Victorian Government through
                                             reportedly consumed by the individual
their lives to drowning this year.           prior to drowning, representing 16%        Emergency Management Victoria, has
It was the state’s highest annual            of the total number of drowning            seen the introduction of a new code of
drowning toll in more than two               incidents in 2018/19.                      practice, as well as the establishment of
decades and 17 more than the                                                            a public pools register, allowing Victorians
                                              ignificant increases in the drowning
                                             S
average number of drowning                                                              to check their local pool’s safety
                                             rates of Victorians aged 15-24 years
incidents in Victoria over the past                                                     classification and accreditation history.
                                             (77%), 45-64 years (51%) and 65+ years
10 years (2008/09-2017/18). This             (71%), compared to the 10-year average.    There have been other positive
figure represents a significant rise                                                    developments in 2018/19, notably the
                                              en in those age groups had the
                                             M
in the number of families coming                                                        steps taken to reduce toddler drownings
                                             highest drowning rates per head of
home from a day on or around the                                                        in home pools and spas. Legislation
                                             population in 2018/19.
water to live with the unfathomable                                                     due to come into effect in December
                                              hose residing in regional areas
                                             T                                          2019, will include mandatory registration
reality of a lost loved one. The fatal       were almost twice as likely to drown       and inspections of pools and spas in
drowning rate stands out for being           compared to those in metropolitan          Victoria. This has been underpinned by
the highest in 14 years; 38% higher          Melbourne.                                 a significant body of work undertaken
than last year and a 29% increase           In response to this year’s drowning toll,   by LSV and the aquatic industry in the
on the 10-year average.                     the Victorian Minister for Police and       past few years advocating for stronger
The year also saw an above average          Emergency Services is leading a Water       measures to curb the drowning toll in
number of overall drowning incidents,       Safety Round Table, looking at short,       backyard pools.
with 157 incidents, including 56 fatal      intermediate and long-term solutions to     This year we’ve also welcomed the
and 101 non-fatal drownings. Children       tackle drowning in Victoria.                continued focus of the Victorian
aged 0-4 years had the highest hospital     It is important to acknowledge that         Government on water safety education
admission rate.                             since the start of the Play it Safe By      within multicultural communities, which
                                            the Water (PISBTW) campaign in              the research tells us is an ongoing area
By any yardstick these are sobering
                                            1998, there has been a 43% decrease         of focus for the growing demographic.
statistics, which bring into sharp focus
                                            in the fatal drowning rate in Victoria.     This year we saw a 60% increase
the ever-increasing need for water
                                            Of particular note, there has been          in the number of people from CALD
safety education among the growing
                                            a 79% decrease in the drowning              backgrounds taking part in LSV’s
number of people using Victoria’s
                                            rate of children aged 0-4 years over        water safety programs compared to
aquatic environments.
                                            this period. This highlights the key        the previous five years, with more than
Some of the trends in 2018/19 include:      advancements – including changes in         20,000 participants benefitting from
  29% increase on the fatal drowning
 A                                          pool fencing legislation and multiple       these programs.
 rate per 100,000 persons compared          child supervision campaigns – that have     Every drowning death is one too many
 to the 10-year average.                    been made since PISBTW’s inception,         and, as we well know from the troubling
                                            notwithstanding the steps we must           increase to the drowning toll this year,
  ales continue to be overrepresented
 M
                                            continue to take to reduce the drowning     more needs to be done to address
 in the drowning statistics and are four
                                            rate further.                               emerging trends and risk factors. With this
 times more likely to drown than females.
                                            Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is once again    in mind, I invite you to review the findings
  eople aged 65 years and above
 P
                                            working together with the Victorian         in this report and consider the benefits of
 have the highest age-specific fatal
                                            Government and the aquatic industry         a shared dialogue that seeks to enhance
 drowning rate.
                                            through the PISBTW working group to         the safety of all Victorians in and around
 
 18%   of drowning deaths in 2018/19        ensure that all Victorians are aware of     the water into 2020 and beyond.
 were of people from culturally             water safety issues in the lead up to and
 and linguistically diverse (CALD)          during this year’s summer season. This
 communities.                               includes launching a new hard-hitting,
  rowning in inland and coastal
 D                                          research-guided public awareness
 waterways continues to increase,           campaign focused on water safety
                                            messages targeting key at-risk groups       Dr Nigel Taylor ESM
 with 49% and 46% increases,
                                            for drowning deaths – especially men        CEO
 respectively, in 2018/19 compared
 to the 10-year average.                    aged 25-64.

                                                                                          Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 3
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
Summary Drowning Statistics
                                                                                      Fatal Drowning in 2018/19

                                                                                                               34     37      32

                                                                                                               37     37      45

                                                                                                               37     43      45

                                                                                      0.85                     40     56
                                                                                    Crude fatal
                                                                                 drowning rate per

                                             56                                 100,000                             29%                      $274m
                                           Drowning                                   persons                Increase on the 10 year            Direct cost
                                            deaths                                                           average drowning rate              of lives lost

                                  80%
                                  Male
                                                                                                                                                       20%
                                                                                                                                                       Female

                                                                                            Location (Fatal)

                                                                                        41%                                            38%
                                                                                        Bay/beach/                                     Lakes/dams/
                                                                                        ocean                                          rivers/creeks

                                                                                             Activity (Fatal)

                                                               21%                                          14%                                   16%
                                                               Walking/playing                              Swimming/                             Involved alcohol
                                                               near water                                   paddling/wading                       or illegal drugs

                                                                      Key Fatal Drowning Statistics in 2018/19

                                                                                          71%                                          46%
                                                                                                                                                  Increase
                                                                                                                                                  in drowning
                                                                                                                                                  deaths in coastal
                                                                                         Increase in                                              waterways*
                                                                                         drowning rate of
                                                                                         people aged 65
                                                                                         years and over*

                         Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 4
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
Non-fatal Drowning in 2018/19

          1.57
        Crude non-fatal
       drowning rate per

       100,000                                             101
           persons                                Non-fatal drowning incidents
                                                   attended by paramedics

65%
Male
                                                                                                           35%
                                                                                                           Female

                                Location (Non-fatal)
                           22%
                           Residential

        47%                                                                                          33%
                           pools

        Pools                                            25%                                         Bay/beach/
                                                         Public                                      ocean
                                                         pools

                                 Activity (Non-fatal)

                                60%                                             11%
                                Swimming/                                       Bathing
                                paddling/wading

             Key Fatal Drowning Statistics in 2018/19

                                69%
                                                                                18%
                                                                                Of drowning
                                Increase in fatal                               deaths were
                                drownings of people                             people
                                who were walking or                             from CALD
                                playing near water*                             communities

                                                                  *Compared to the 10-year average (2008/09 to 2017/18)

                                                                          Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 5
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
Our Performance
                  Every day, visitors to Victoria’s 811 kilometres of ocean beaches, 259 kilometres of
                  bay beaches, 85,000 kilometres of rivers, 13,000 natural wetlands and 450 public and
                  commercial swimming pools, engage in a wide variety of recreational aquatic activities
                  (Short, 1996; DSE, 2011; VAIC, 2001). Our prevention efforts span this setting.

                  Reduce Drowning                                                   Services
                  Reduce the Victorian drowning rate                                Expand to meet public need/ sustainability/
                                                                                    membership development, growth and support

                  56
                  Drowning deaths in Victoria in 2018/19.
                                                                                    630
                                                                                    Rescues by lifesavers and lifeguards on patrolled
                  This is 17 more than the 10-year average.                         beaches on average per year from 2008/09 to 2017/18.

                  0.85
                  Crude fatal drowning rate per 100,000 persons in Victoria
                                                                                    25.2
                                                                                    Rescues per 100,000 beachgoers on average per year
                  in 2018/19; a 29% increase compared to the 10-year average.       from 2008/09 to 2017/18.

                  101
                  Non-fatal drowning incidents attended by paramedics
                                                                                    1,928
                                                                                    First Aid assistance by lifesavers and lifeguards on patrolled
                  in 2018/19. This represents a crude non-fatal drowning rate       beaches on average per year from 2008/09 to 2017/18.
                  of 1.57 per 100,000 persons in Victoria in 2018/19.

                  43                 %
                  Decrease in the fatal drowning rate in Victoria since the start
                                                                                    35,383
                                                                                    Volunteer members in 2018/19, patrolling our open waterways
                  of the Play it Safe by the Water (PISBTW) campaign in 1998        and providing education and training in lifesaving activities,
                  (baseline is the 3-year average 1996/97 to 1998/99 compared       to ensure the safety of Victoria’s waterway users.
                  to the follow-up 2016/17 to 2018/19 average).

                  $274m
                  Direct cost to society of lives lost (where the value
                                                                                    $235m
                                                                                    Total estimated value of coastal services
                  of a statistical life is estimated at $4.9 million;               in Victoria per year (PWC, 2011).
                  Office of Best Practice Regulation, 2019).

             Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 6
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
Education & Training                                              Risk & Research
Continue development to ensure efficiency                         Striving for excellence in evidence-based practice
and expansion of delivery

182,662
Participants took part in water safety education statewide in
                                                                  143
                                                                  Children aged 10-12 years participated in a study to determine
2018/19; a 3.5% reduction compared to the 5-year average          their level of water safety knowledge following a YMCA
(2013/14 to 2017/18).                                             pool-based swimming and water safety program, plus a half-day
                                                                  LSV Open Water Learning Experience, with demonstrated
                                                                  increases in water safety knowledge (Matthews et al., 2018).

22,000
Culturally and linguistically diverse participants took part
                                                                  38,111
                                                                  Lifesaving services analysed across 66 Victorian sites during a
in LSV programs in 2018/19; a 60% increase compared               10-year period. LSV partnered with the Bureau of Meteorology,
to the 5-year average (2013/14 to 2017/18).                       as part of a project to develop an active weather warning
                                                                  system for Victorian beachgoers.

21,606
People trained in CPR or other First Aid related
                                                                  88             %
                                                                  Average water safety knowledge score by student participants
courses in 2018/19.                                               (n=23) in a pilot study for the delivery of virtual reality using the
                                                                  online platform, Google Expeditions, which allows a ‘guide’
                                                                  to lead classroom-sized groups of ‘explorers’ through collections
                                                                  of 360-degree panoramas (Strugnell et al., 2019).

7,845
Participants in accredited aquatic safety training
                                                                  161
                                                                  Assessments conducted by LSV. Pool safety assessments
courses in 2018/19.                                               of 108 aquatic centres measured performance against best
                                                                  practice standards, and 53 beach risk assessments were
                                                                  conducted within coastal drowning blackspot areas.

187
Aquatic facilities are registered Watch Around Water facilities
                                                                  38             %
                                                                  Of council-owned aquatic facilities have not completed
in 2018/19. This represents an estimated 65% of aquatic           a pool safety assessment in the past three years.
facilities in Victoria.

                                                                                         Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 7
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
Our Performance
                  The following maps highlight the service provision that LSV directs to different areas
                  of Victoria based on the relative risk of drowning by i) place of incident and ii) place of
                  residence. Relative risk of drowning by place of incident is utilised to direct, for example,
                  risk assessment prioritisation, lifesaving service provision, and public awareness raising
                  for residents and local and international tourists. Relative risk of drowning by place of
                  residence is utilised to direct the provision of activities such as education program delivery
                  and further public awareness raising.

                                           !! !
                                          ! !!<
                                               Mildura - Wentworth
                                               !
                                               !
                                                                                                                                                                    Regional Programs
                                                                                                                                                                    and Relative Risk
                                             !!
                                             !

                                                     !
                               !!
                               !
                                                                        !
                                                                                                                                                                    of Drowning by
                                                !                                                                                                                   Incident Location
                                     !
                                    !
                                                                                     ! !
                                                            !                         !!
                                                        !                            !
                          !                             !               !
                         !                                                      Swan Hill
                                                                                                !
                                                    !            !                          !           !
                                                    !                                       !       !
                                                                                                    !                  !
                                                             !          !                                                   !
                                                                                                                 !        !
                                                                                                                          !
                                                                                                                        !     ! !!                                        !
                                                                                                                                                                             !
                                 !                                                     !!               !! !                                       ! !!                   !
                                  !                                                                    !                                            !!
                                                                                 Echuca - Moama!! ! !! !!                                           !
                                                  !                                                      !
                         !                       !                                                    !        !      !!                  !Wangaratta           !!
                                                                                                      !!                                 !
                                           !                                                                 !!! !   !
                                                                                                                      !!                  !
                                                                                                         !
                                                                                                                        Shepparton! - Mooroopna
                                                                                                                                          !           !
                                                    !                                    !!              !      !                                  !                !          !
                                                                   !           Bendigo                                      !
                             !          !      !                  !                   !!! !                                                                      !
                                                                                                                                                                 !
                                              !                                           !! !
                                                                                          !                                                              !
                                               !                                         !!    !         !!  !           !
                                                                                          ! !                             !
                                                Horsham                               ! !!
                                                                 !                                                !
                             !                            !              !
                                                                       ! ! !          ! !!!!
                                                                                                !             ! !                                       !
                                                         !                                         !! !                                                          !
                                                         !                              ! ! !
                                                                                                 ! !       !   !                       !
                                                            !        !                             !                    ! ! !          !!
                                          !                                             !                     !!     !                                                           !
                                         !
                                      !                               !                 !                                                                                             !
                                                                              !!                                                                                                     !
                                     !                                !        !!!!                                           !
                                                  !                                       !                                                       !           !
                                                      !                         !         !                                                       !                 !!
                                                                       Ballarat                                                                                   !!                          !
                                                                                                                                                                                              <
                                            !                         !   ! !                                                                                     !
                                           !                         !      !                !
                                                                                               !                                                                   !! Bairnsdale
                                                                                                                                                                            !!
                                        ! !! !                                  !                                                                                      !!! !!!
                                                                       !            !                                                     !!                                 <
                                                                                                                                                                             !
                                                                                                                                                                             <
                                                            !        !                          !!                                 !    !
                                           !      !                                         !!
                                                                                              !                                 ! Warragul! - Drouin
                                                 !                              !          !  !
                                                                                              !!
                                                                                               !                               !                    !      Sale
                                                                                           !
                                                                                           !!  <
                                                                                               ! !
                                                                                               !                                 ! !! !!
                                                             !      !                      !! !!  !!                            !                         !
                                  !!
                                 !! !        !!!
                                                                     !
                                                                           !!              !!!
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes
The following table outlines Victoria’s progress against the Victorian Water Safety Strategy 2016-2020 and
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2016-2020 with respect to fatal drowning incidents. Whilst the overall drowning
rate has decreased by 11% from baseline, this is well short of the target of a 50% reduction in drowning by 2020.

                                                                                    BASELINE          FOLLOW-UP
  Priority Areas                                                                      (3-YEAR
                                                                                     AVERAGE
                                                                                                        (3-YEAR
                                                                                                       AVERAGE            DIFFERENCE

  and Goals                                                                         2004/05 TO
                                                                                      2006/07)
                                                                                                      (2015/16 TO
                                                                                                        2017/18)
                                                                                                                          BASELINE TO
                                                                                                                          FOLLOW-UP              PROGRESS

                                                                                       Rate               Rate
 Priority Area One:                                                                (per 100,000       (per 100,000
 Taking a Life Stages Approach                                                      population)        population)               %

                    1.	Reduce drowning
                        in children                                                                                                                Work
                                                                 0-4 years            1.057              0.656                -38%
                        aged 0-14 years                                                                                                           needed

                                                                 5-14
                                                                                      0.615              0.129                -79%               On track
                                                                 years

                    2.	Reduce drowning
                        in young people                                                                                                            Work
                                                                                      0.712              0.666                 -6%
                        aged 15-24 years                                                                                                          needed

                    3. R
                         educe drowning
                        in males                                 25-44                                                                             Work
                                                                                      1.494              1.108                -26%
                        aged 25-64 years                         years                                                                            needed

                                                                                                                                                  Urgent
                                                                 45-64
                                                                                      1.097              1.252                 14%                 work
                                                                 years
                                                                                                                                                  needed

                    4. Reduce drowning                                                                                                           Urgent
                        in people aged 65+                                            1.134              1.194                 33%                 work
                                                                                                                                                  needed

 Priority Area Two:
                                                                                  Frequency           Frequency                  %
 Targeting High-Risk Locations

                       Reduce drowning
                    5.	                                                                                                                          Urgent
                       in inland waterways                                              16                 18                  15%                 work
                                                                                                                                                  needed

                    6. Reduce drowning                                                                                                           Urgent
                        in coastal waters                                               14                 20                  46%                 work
                                                                                                                                                  needed

                    7. R
                        educe drowning by strengthening
                       the aquatic industry*                                             0                  0                   0%               On track

 Priority Area Three:
                                                                                  Frequency           Frequency                  %
 Focusing on Key Drowning Challenges
                    8. Reduce alcohol-
                        and drug-related drowning†                                                                                                 Work
                                                                                        13                  9                 -33%
                                                                                                                                                  needed

                       Reduce boating, watercraft
                    9.	                                                                                                                          Urgent
                       and recreational activity-related                                 9                 11                  19%                 work
                       drowning**                                                                                                                 needed

                    10. R
                         educe drowning                                                                                                          Urgent
                        in high-risk populations***                                      8                 10                  30%                 work
                                                                                                                                                  needed

                    11. R
                         educe the impact of disaster
                        and extreme weather on drowning                                  1                  1                   0%               On track

* Figures include drowning deaths at public swimming pools.
** Includes boats and watercraft, rock fishing, fishing and diving.
***	Includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, international tourists and
     international students. Statistics are primarily determined from Country of Birth data.
†	Toxicology reports to confirm alcohol and/or drug involvement are available only once a case is closed therefore numbers may change once cases are closed.

                                                                                                              Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 9
2018/19 Life Saving Victoria
Victorian Water Safety Strategy Outcomes – Key Success

                                                          79decrease in the
                                                            drowning rate
                                                            of children
                                                            aged 0-4 years
                                                                                                                    %
                                                            since 1998.
                                                         Play it Safe by the Water is a                        conducted with a random sample of           promotion and programs through
                                                         statewide public water safety                         400-600 Victorians on each occasion.        maternal and child health networks.
                                                         education and awareness program,                      Data were collected on drownings in
                                                                                                                                                           Whilst direct impact of public
                                                         a component of which includes                         Victoria from 1996/97 to 2017/18.
                                                                                                                                                           awareness campaigns is difficult to
                                                         public awareness raising through
                                                                                                                                                           measure, results indicate a significant
                                                         a multi-media campaign. Research                      KEY FINDINGS
                                                                                                                                                           impact on drowning for young
                                                         was conducted to determine the
                                                                                                               Since inception of the PISBTW               children. It also reinforces the need
                                                         impact of the PISBTW campaign on
                                                                                                               campaign the unintentional drowning         for awareness raising, practical
                                                         water safety message recall and the
                                                                                                               rate in Victoria decreased by 46%           interventions, legislation and
                                                         drowning rate in Victoria (Matthews
                                                                                                               (from 1.27/100,000 at baseline              enforcement to generate long-term
                                                         et al., 2018).
                                                                                                               3-year average 1996/97-1998/99              behavioural change.
                                                                                                               to 0.68/100,000 at follow-up 3-year
                                                         IMPLEMENTATION                                                                                    Ongoing measurement of campaign
                                                                                                               average 2015/16-2017/18). Shifts
                                                                                                                                                           impact has enabled continual update
                                                         Target audiences varied depending on                  in the drowning rate particularly in
                                                                                                                                                           of the campaign to ensure the most
                                                         drowning trends. Because children aged                children aged 0-4 years were identified,
                                                                                                                                                           appropriate messages are delivered
                                                         0-4 years had the highest age-specific                with a 79% decrease in the drowning
                                                                                                                                                           to the most appropriate audience.
                                                         drowning rate, a consistent focus was                 rate from baseline to follow-up. Baseline
                                                         prevention of drowning of this age                    recall was 41%, and the highest             PISBTW provides an example
                                                         group, targeting parents and carers.                  proportion of recall of any water safety    of a multi-focussed, multi-
                                                         Additional work focussed on policy and                advertising by Victorian respondents        sectoral approach to drowning
                                                         legislation change, particularly regarding            was 77%.                                    prevention and the way in which
                                                         home pool barriers.
                                                                                                               Key achievements by the PISBTW              epidemiological drowning data
                                                         Public awareness and attitudes to water               group, currently comprising 20              is utilised to inform the direction
                                                         safety advertising were assessed                      organisations, include: changes             for future drowning prevention
                                                         pre- and post-campaign across                         in home pool barrier standards and          strategies.
                                                         campaign seasons from 2004-2017.                      legislation along with key public
                                                         Telephone and/or online surveys were                  awareness campaigns and targeted

                                                 Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 10
CHILDREN 0-4 YEARS DROWNING RATE 1997/98-2017/18
AND KEY PISBTW ACTIVITIES AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

                                                                                                                                                              Fatal drowning rate per 100,000 population

6
5.6   1997/98                         2000/01             2002/03                                           2007/08                       2010/11                                   2014/15
      PISBTW                          Swimming            Retrospective pool                                ‘Always                       Isolation                                 Refresh ‘20
5.2   campaign                        pool & spa          fencing legislation                               Watch Them                    fencing                                   Seconds is
4.8   start                           committee           + penalties for                                   Around Water’                 regulations                               all it takes…’
                                      formed              non-compliance                                    campaign                                                                campaign
4.4
4.0                                             2001/02             2003/04                                                               2010/11                                             2016/17
                                                Building            Launch                                                                '20 seconds is                                      Launch
3.6                                             permit.             ‘Who’s looking                                                        all it takes for a                                  ‘Ten to
                                                Pools &             out for you?’                                                         toddler to drown'                                   One’
3.2                                             spas                campaign                                                              campaign                                            campaign

2.8
                                                                                                                                                                                                         2018
2.4                                                                                                                                                                                                      Legislation
                                                                                                                                                                                                         passes: Pool
2.0                                                                                                                                                                                                      register &
1.6                                                                                                                                                                                                      compliance
                                                                                                                                                                                                         regime
1.2
0.8
0.4
0
      1997/98

                1998/99

                          1999/00

                                    2000/01

                                              2001/02

                                                        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

                                                                                                                                                                                            2015/16

                                                                                                                                                                                                      2016/17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                2017/18

                                                                                                                                                            Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 11
Who is Drowning?

                       77                                                             %
                                                                                                                           increase
                                                                                                                           in the
                                                                                                                           drowning
                                                                                                                           rate of
                                                                                                                           people aged
                                                                                                                           15-24 years.

                   There were a total of 157 drowning                       highest rate of drowning of all age         A total of 706 males were admitted
                   incidents in Victoria in 2018/19,                        groups. There was a 51% increase in         to hospital for non-fatal drowning,
                   comprising 56 drowning deaths                            the fatal drowning rate of those aged       an average of 71 (71%) hospital
                   and 101 non-fatal incidents                              45-64 years (1.04 per 100,000               admissions per year.
                   attended by paramedics. People                           population). This is the second highest
                                                                                                                        Children aged 0-4 years had the highest
                   aged 65 years and above had the                          drowning rate of any age group.
                                                                                                                        rates of admission, with 6.01 per 100,000
                   highest age-specific fatal drowning                      There was also a 77% increase in the
                                                                                                                        population annually, followed by those
                   rate in 2018/19. However, children                       drowning rate of young people aged
                                                                                                                        aged 15-24 years (2.23 per 100,000
                   aged 0-4 have the greatest overall                       15-24 years. As in 2017/18, there was
                                                                                                                        population) and those in the 5-14 year
                   risk of drowning with the highest                        a decrease in the fatal drowning rate of
                                                                                                                        age group (1.80 per 100,000 population).
                   age-specific combined rate of                            children aged 0-4 years and 5-14 years.
                                                                                                                        Those aged 65 years and above
                   fatal and non-fatal drowning.
                                                                                                                        presented the lowest rate of admission
                                                                            NON-FATAL INCIDENTS
                                                                                                                        at 0.96 per 100,000 population.
                   DEATHS
                                                                            There were 101 non-fatal drowning
                   The 56 drowning deaths in 2018/19                        incidents attended by paramedics in         Emergency Department (ED)
                   represent a 45% increase (17 deaths)                     2018/19. This represents a crude            Presentations, 2008/09 to 2017/18
                   compared to the 10-year average. The                     non-fatal drowning rate of 1.57 per
                                                                                                                        There were 901 ED presentations in the
                   crude fatal drowning rate was 0.85 per                   100,000 persons in 2018/19.
                                                                                                                        10-year period from 2008/09 to 2017/18,
                   100,000 persons in 2018/19, this is a
                                                                            One third of non-fatal incidents involved   an average of 90 ED presentations for
                   29% increase compared to the 10-year
                                                                            children aged 0-4 years.                    non-fatal drowning annually. The average
                   average (0.66 per 100,000 persons).
                                                                                                                        annual rate of ED presentations was
                   Of the 56 drowning deaths in Victoria in                 Admissions, 2008/09 to 2017/18              1.52 per 100,000 persons per year.
                   2018/19, 45 (80%) were male. Males are                                                               Children aged 0-4 years had by far the
                                                             Over the previous decade there were
                   consistently overrepresented in drowning                                                             highest rate of ED presentations, with
                                                             1,001 hospital admissions, an average
                   statistics. Overall, they are four times                                                             10.25 per 100,000 population annually.
                                                             of 100 admissions for non-fatal
                   more likely to drown than females.                                                                   This was followed by those aged 5-14
                                                             drowning per year. The annual crude
                                                                                                                        years (2.24 per 100,000 population)
                   Sixteen adults aged 65 years and above hospital admissions rate was 1.70 per
                                                                                                                        and those in the 15-24 year age group
                   died as a result of drowning this year in 100,000 persons per year. The rate of
                                                                                                                        (1.33 per 100,000 population).
                   Victoria with a drowning rate of 1.62 per admissions remained largely similar over
                   100,000 population. This is a 71%         the 5-year period from 2012/13 to        The majority of the 901 ED presentations
                   increase compared with the 10-year        2016/17, with an increase to 2.24 in     were males (587, 65%). Similar to
                   average and places this group at the      2017/18.                                 hospital admissions, ED presentations
                                                                                                      decreased with increasing age.

              Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 12
DROWNING DEATHS AND DROWNING RATE
2008/09 TO 2018/19

                                     Rate (number of deaths per 100,000 population)                                                                                                                                                    Number of deaths per year
1.0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      100

0.8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      80

0.6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      60

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     56

0.4                                                                                                                                                        45                                                      45                                                                                    40
                                                                                                                                                                                               43
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   40
                                                     37                                                                37                37                                    37
                  34
                                                                                         32

0.2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      20

0.0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      0
                 2008/09

                                                    2009/10

                                                                                        2010/11

                                                                                                                      2011/12

                                                                                                                                        2012/13

                                                                                                                                                          2013/14

                                                                                                                                                                              2014/15

                                                                                                                                                                                              2015/16

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2016/17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2017/18

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2018/19
FREQUENCY OF FATAL                                                                                                              FATAL DROWNING RATE                                                     HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND
DROWNING IN VICTORIA BY SEX,                                                                                                    PER 100,000 PERSONS IN VICTORIA                                         EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
2008/09 TO 2018/19                                                                                                              BY AGE, 2008/09 TO 2018/19                                              (ED) PRESENTATIONS RATE PER
                                                                                                                                                                                                        100,000 PERSONS IN VICTORIA,
                                                                                                                                                                                                        2008/09 TO 2017/18

                                                                                       Males                                                                                2008/09-2017/18                                                                           Hospital admissions
                                                                                       Females                                                                              2018/19                                                                                   ED presentations
60                                                                                                                              2.0                                                                      2.5

50
                                                                                                                                1.6                                                                      2.0

40

                                                                                                                                1.2                                                                      1.5

30

                                                                                                                                0.8                                                                      1.0

20

                                                                                                                                0.4                                                                      0.5
10

0                                                                                                                               0.00                                                                     0.0
                                                                                                                                       0-4

                                                                                                                                                  5-14

                                                                                                                                                         15-24

                                                                                                                                                                    25-44

                                                                                                                                                                              45-64

                                                                                                                                                                                        65+

                                                                                                                                                                                                               2008/09

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         2009/10

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2010/11

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             2011/12

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2012/13

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2013/14

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2014/15

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     2015/16

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               2016/17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         2017/18
      2008/09
                2009/10
                           2010/11
                                     2011/12
                                               2012/13
                                                         2013/14
                                                                   2014/15
                                                                             2015/16
                                                                                       2016/17
                                                                                                  2017/18
                                                                                                            2018/19

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 13
18                                                         %
Who is Drowning?

                   of drowning deaths
                   in 2018/19 were of
                   people from CALD
                   communities.

                   CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC                                  The majority were males (86%), and the
                                                                                                                           PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING
                   DIVERSITY                                                most common age groups were 25-44              BY OVERSEAS COUNTRY OF BIRTH
                                                                            years (46%) followed by 15-24 years            2008/09 – 2018/19
                   This year 10 (18%) individuals that
                                                                            (21%); the median age was 31 years.
                   drowned were reported as being from
                                                                            Incidents typically occurred in open
                   culturally and linguistically diverse
                                                                            waterways; with 44% at beaches and             35%
                   (CALD) communities. This is one more
                                                                            21% in rivers/creeks/streams.
                   than the 10-year average of nine.                                                                       30%
                                                                            The most common activity prior to
                   Due to limitations with country of birth
                                                                            coastal drowning incidents was                 25%
                   data collected, data has also been
                                                                            swimming (46%), followed by fishing
                   analysed over the previous 10-year
                                                                            (35%). Of those fishing this included          20%
                   period from 2008/09-2017/18. On
                                                                            fishing for abalone (typically snorkelling/
                   average, 23% of drowning deaths were
                                                                            diving), rock fishing, or fishing from a       15%
                   of individuals known to have been born
                                                                            boat. Deaths whilst fishing for abalone
                   overseas (with 57% unknown country
                                                                            have increased since 2015.                     10%
                   of birth).
                                                                            The most common activities prior
                   Of those individuals where country of                                                                   5%
                                                                            to inland drowning incidents were
                   birth was recorded, the majority (86%)
                                                                            swimming (31%) and walking/ recreating
                   were Victorian residents. The median                                                                    0%
                                                                            near water (31%), with 25% unknown.
                   length of time living in Australia was
                                                                                                                                 2008/09

                                                                                                                                           2009/10

                                                                                                                                                     2010/11

                                                                                                                                                               2011/12

                                                                                                                                                                         2012/13

                                                                                                                                                                                   2013/14

                                                                                                                                                                                             2014/15

                                                                                                                                                                                                       2015/16

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2016/17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2017/18

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     2018/19

                   six years.                                               When swimming ability was recorded
                                                                            the majority were noted to be weak
                                                                            or non-swimmers, followed by average
                                                                            or fair with very few good or reasonable
                                                                            swimmers.
                                                                            Individuals from a CALD background
                                                                            are recognised as those who identify
                                                                            as ‘having a specific cultural or linguistic
                                                                            affiliation by virtue of their place of
                                                                            birth, ancestry, ethnic origin, religion,
                                                                            preferred language, language(s) spoken
                                                                            at home, or because of their parents’
                                                                            identification on a similar basis’
                                                                            (DHSMSU, 2002).

              Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 14
86
of individuals from a
CALD background who
                     %
drowned over the previous
10 years were male.

                            Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 15
When, Where, What
                                                                                                  Drowning
                     Relative risk of drowning by incident location
                                                                              Incident Location
                                                                              2008/09 - 2012/13
                                                                                                  by incident
                                                                                                  location
                                                                                                  from 2008/09
                                                                                                  to 2017/18
                                                                                                  These maps outline the relative risk of
                                                                                                  drowning based on incident location
                                                                                                  counts within Victorian postcodes and
                                                                                                  then smoothed across the state. Dark
                                                                                                  red areas are areas of greater risk
                                                                                                  while lighter red areas indicate areas
                                                                                Lower risk        of lower risk. The relative risk values
                                                                                                  also take into consideration postcode
                                                                                                  population densities.
                                                                                Higher risk       The relative risk maps are provided
                                                                                                  as a three-part map series. The first
                                                                                                  two maps illustrate incident ratios
                                                                                                  based on two comparative 5 year
                                                                              Incident Location   timeframes: 2008/09 to 2012/2013
                                                                              2013/14 - 2017/18   and 2013/14 to 2017/18. The third
                                                                                                  map combines the incident data
                                                                                                  for these two timeframes providing
                                                                                                  a 10 year (2008/09 to 2017/18)
                                                                                                  comparative summary.

                                                                                Lower risk

                                                                                Higher risk

                                                                              Incident Location
                                                                              2008/09 - 2017/18

                                                                                Lower risk

                                                                                Higher risk

                Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 16
Drowning
Relative risk of drowning by place of residence
                                                  Resident Location
                                                  2008/09 - 2012/13
                                                                      by place of
                                                                      residence
                                                                      from 2008/09
                                                                      to 2017/18
                                                                      The below relative risk maps are
                                                                      similar to incident location maps
                                                                      except they are based on place of
                                                                      residence of the person, at the time
                                                                      of the drowning event. They outline
                                                                      the relative risk of drowning based
                                                    Lower risk        on place of residence counts and
                                                                      population density within each
                                                                      postcode area. Dark red areas are
                                                                      areas of greater risk while lighter red
                                                    Higher risk
                                                                      areas indicate areas of lower risk.
                                                                      The relative risk maps are provided as
                                                                      a three-part map series. The first two
                                                  Resident Location   maps illustrate resident ratios based
                                                  2013/14 - 2017/18   on two comparative 5 year timeframes:
                                                                      2008/09 to 2012/2013 and 2013/14 to
                                                                      2017/18. The third map combines the
                                                                      resident data for these two timeframes
                                                                      providing a 10 year (2008/09 to
                                                                      2017/18) comparative summary.

                                                    Lower risk

                                                    Higher risk

                                                  Resident Location
                                                  2008/09 - 2017/18

                                                    Lower risk

                                                    Higher risk

                                                                       Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 17
When, Where, What
                     WHEN DID THEY DROWN?
                                                                               PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING
                                                                               BY MONTH 2008/09 – 2018/19
                     Month and Season
                     Almost half (46%, 26) of the drowning                                                                                                                                                       2008/09-2017/18
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2018/19
                     deaths occurred in the summer months in                    25%
                     2018/19. This is a 59% increase
                     compared to the five-year average
                     (2013/14 to 2017/18) and is the highest                    20%

                     crude number recorded in over twenty
                     years, since 1997/98. Autumn
                     represented the second largest number                      15%

                     of drowning deaths, with 12 (21%), which
                     is also a 58% increase on the five-year
                                                                                10%
                     average. Winter and spring saw a
                     decrease in drowning deaths in 2018/19.
                     These figures may reflect warmer than                      5%
                     average temperatures, with Victoria
                     experiencing its warmest summer on
                     record (Bureau of Meteorology, 2019a)                      0%
                     and eighth warmest autumn on record
                     (Bureau of Meteorology, 2019b).                                        July

                                                                                                   August

                                                                                                                  September

                                                                                                                                    October

                                                                                                                                              November

                                                                                                                                                         December

                                                                                                                                                                    January

                                                                                                                                                                                 February

                                                                                                                                                                                                March

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   April

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      May

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      June
                     In the previous decade the majority of
                     drowning deaths occurred in summer
                     (37%), followed by spring (24%),
                     autumn (21%), and winter (18%).                           PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING                                                         PERCENTAGE OF FATAL DROWNING
                     There were increases in drowning                          BY REMOTEANESS AREA OF INCIDENT                                                      BY SEASON
                     deaths in December in 2018/19 when                        IN VICTORIA, 2008/09 – 2018/19
                     compared with the 10-year average,
                     with almost one-quarter (13, 23%)                               2008/09-2012/13         2013/14-2017/19                     2018/19                      Summer                              Winter
                     occurring in December.                                                                                                                                   Autumn                              Spring
                                                                                60%
                     Similar to fatal drowning, non-fatal
                     drowning incidents were far more                           50%                                                                                              20%
                     common in summer (46, 45%). This
                     was followed by spring (22, 22%),                          40%
                     autumn (20, 20%), and winter (13, 13%).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    46%
                                                                                30%
                     WHERE DID THEY DROWN?                                                                                                                          13%
                                                                                20%
                     Region
                     This year, 55% (31) of drowning deaths                     10%

                     occurred in major cities in Victoria, this
                     is a 10% increase when compared with                       0%                                                                                                            21%

                     the 10-year average from 2008/09 to
                                                                                         Major
                                                                                         Cities

                                                                                                          Inner
                                                                                                       Regional

                                                                                                                                Outer
                                                                                                                              Regional

                                                                                                                                              Remote

                     2017/18.
                     When accounting for the differences
                     in the distribution of the residential                   Waterways                                                                             FREQUENCY OF FATAL DROWNING
                     population, the drowning rate increased
                                                                              In 2018/19, 41% (23) of all drowning                                                  PER YEAR BY BODY OF WATER
                     for those residing in metropolitan
                                                                              deaths occurred in coastal environments                                               2008/09 – 2018/19
                     Melbourne and regional areas in
                     Victoria. There was a 17% increase                       (bay/beach/ocean), making it the most
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2008/09-2017/18                              2018/19
                     in the drowning rate of those residing                   common location for drowning. The
                     in metropolitan Melbourne this year                      deaths represent a 46% increase in                                                     25

                     (0.64 per 100,000 population in                          drowning deaths in coastal waterways
                     2018/19) compared with the 10-year                       compared with the 10-year average                                                      20
                     average (0.54 per 100,000 population.                    of 16.
                     Regional areas of Victoria saw a                         A further 38% of people drowned in                                                     15
                     30% increase in the drowning rate                        inland waterways (18 in rivers/creeks/
                     (1.20 per 100,000 population in                          streams and lakes/dams), which is a 49%
                     2018/19) compared with the ten-year                      increase on the 10-year average of 13.                                                 10
                     average (0.92 per 100,000 population).
                                                                              One-third of non-fatal drowning
                     Unlike in 2017/18, where fatal drowning                  incidents in 2018/19 occurred in bay/                                                  5
                     rates were very similar (0.53 per                        beach/ocean environments, (33, 33%).
                     100,000 population), those residing                      A further 25% (25) occurred in public
                                                                                                                                                                     0
                     in regional areas were almost twice                      swimming pools. Other common
                     as likely to drown compared to those                     waterways for non-fatal incidents were
                                                                                                                                                                                   Bath/
                                                                                                                                                                                Spa Bath

                                                                                                                                                                                              Private/
                                                                                                                                                                                            Home Pool

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Public
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Swimming Pool

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Bay/Beach/
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Ocean

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       River/Creek/
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Stream

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Lake/Dam

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Other

                     in metropolitan Melbourne in 2018/19.                    private/home pools (22%), and bath/
                                                                              spa baths (11%).

                Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 18
46                 %
increase in drowning deaths
in coastal waterways.

                              Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 19
69                                                             %
When, Where, What
                                                                                                                                                                   increase in
                                                                                                                                                                   those walking
                                                                                                                                                                   or playing
                                                                                                                                                                   near water
                                                                                                                                                                   prior to the
                                                                                                                                                                   drowning
                                                                                                                                                                   incident.

                     WHAT WERE THEY DOING?
                                                                              FREQUENCY OF FATAL DROWNING PER YEAR
                                                                              BY ACTIVITY 2008/09 – 2018/19
                     Activity
                                                                                                                                                                                                         2008/09-2017/18
                     The most common activity immediately                     12                                                                                                                         2018/19
                     prior to a fatal drowning in 2018/19 was
                     walking/playing near water (12, 21%),
                                                                              10
                     followed by swimming/paddling/wading
                     (8, 14%), and boating/fishing from a
                     boat (6, 11%)                                            8

                     There was a 69% increase in those that
                     fatally drowned whilst walking/playing                   6

                     near water in 2018/19 compared to the
                     10-year average from 2008/09 to                          4
                     2017/18 (7, 18%). By far the greatest
                     proportion of non-fatal drowning                         2
                     incidents involved those swimming/
                     paddling/wading (61, 60%). These
                                                                              0
                     figures again highlight the importance of
                     children learning swimming and water
                                                                                        Boating/
                                                                                    Fishing from
                                                                                          a boat

                                                                                                   Rock Fishing

                                                                                                                  Other Fishing

                                                                                                                                      Diving/
                                                                                                                                  Skin Diving

                                                                                                                                                Craft Riding

                                                                                                                                                                 Walking/
                                                                                                                                                                  Playing
                                                                                                                                                               Near Water

                                                                                                                                                                            Attempting
                                                                                                                                                                             a Rescue

                                                                                                                                                                                         Swimming,
                                                                                                                                                                                           Paddling
                                                                                                                                                                                          or Wading

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Bathing/
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Having a
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Spa Bath

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Transport
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       (for work/
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  for recreation)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Other/
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Unknown

                     safety in the school curriculum.
                     Additionally, 11 non-fatal incidents
                     occurred while bathing/having a spa

                                                                              Unintentional water entry
                     bath (11%), indicating that bath tubs
                     remain a risk factor for drowning.
                     Unintentional water entry (including
                     slips/trips/falls and some attempted
                                                                              (including slips/trips/falls
                     rescues) accounted for 46% (26)                          and some attempted rescues)
                                                                              accounted for 46% (26) of fatal
                     of fatal drowning incidents this year.
                     This is double that of the past decade
                     with an average of 13 (33%) per year
                     from 2008/09 to 2017/18.                                 drowning incidents this year.

                Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 20
73                                              %

                                                                                                                                                       Risk Factors
of people that
drowned in boating
incidents over
the past decade
were not wearing
a lifejacket.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS                             LACK OF LIFEJACKET USE
                                                                                         LIFEJACKET WEAR WHEN BOATING
There were 9 drowning deaths in               The lack of a lifejacket has potentially   2008/09-2017/18
2018/19 in which alcohol and/or illegal       claimed many lives in Victoria. Of the
drugs were reportedly consumed                56 boating-related drowning deaths             Not worn
by the individual prior to drowning,          over the past decade (2008/09 to               Not worn correctly/inappropriate
                                                                                             type for the conditions
representing 16% of the total number          2017/18), lifejacket usage was known           Worn correctly
of drowning incidents. This is one more       in 44 cases. Of these 44, in 32 (73%)
than the average per year over the past       incidents the deceased was not
decade of 8, which represents 27%             wearing a lifejacket at the time.              5 (11%)
of total drowning deaths.                     A further 7 (16%) had an incorrectly
                                              fitted lifejacket or wore the incorrect
The consumption of alcohol and/or             type recommended for the conditions.
illegal drugs prior to recreating in, on or
around water increases the risk of            Wearing a lifejacket when rock fishing                   7 (16%)
drowning because they can impair              could also have saved another 6 lives

16
judgment, slow reaction times, affect         over the past decade with all those
coordination and promote risk-taking          individuals that drowned while rock
behaviour. Prescription medications can       fishing not wearing a lifejacket.                                                     32 (73%)
also increase the risk of drowning as

                                              %
they can heighten the risk of falls and
affect reaction times.

of lives lost in 2018/19 involved alcohol
and/or illegal drug use prior to drowning.
                                                                                         Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 21
Coronial Recommendations
                           The role of the coroner in Victoria
                           is to investigate reportable deaths,
                           which include drowning, in order
                           to determine the identity of the
                           person who died, the cause of
                           the death and, in some situations,
                           the circumstances surrounding
                           the death. As part of this process
                           the coroner may recommend ways
                           to help prevent similar deaths
                           in the future.
                           The following is a summary of
                           two coronial findings in 2018/19
                           where recommendations were
                           made relating to drowning deaths.
                           Note, they are not exact replications
                           from the findings; these should be
                           accessed from the Coroners Court
                           of Victoria website:
                           http://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/
                           home/coroners+written+findings/

                           2017
                           Desmond Watson, aged 65 years, died as a result of neck trauma and severe heart disease in the setting of
                           immersion, at Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula. Mr. Watson was competing in the Victorian
                           State Kneeboard Titles when he caught a powerful wave, his board flew vertically up in the air before a wave
                           closed over it. He was seen floating with the board but did not get up. It was undetermined as to whether
                           he suffered a heart attack or was hit by his board, or a combination of both. Conditions were described as
                           challenging, with approximately 20-25 kilometre per hour northerly winds and waves approximately four to six
                           foot high. In-water CPR was performed with difficulty due to the swell, before efforts were relocated to the shore
                           where he could not be revived. Mr. Watson was an experienced kneeboarder and was reportedly confident and
                           capable in the conditions but had a history of high blood pressure and back injuries.

                           Recommendation
                           That Kneeboard Surfing Victoria should conduct a risk assessment prior to the commencement of each day before an event to
                           take into consideration the location, weather, wind and surf conditions, and any other relevant conditions on the day of an event.

                           2018
                           Graham Hill, aged 51 years, drowned whilst out fishing on his boat, in Port Phillip Bay near Frankston. It was
                           a warm summer morning and ideal sea conditions for small boating. The boat carried all the required safety
                           equipment. Lifejackets were on board and stored under the helm. The boat flooded with water and as his
                           partner attempted to get the lifejackets, the boat capsized, and the couple was thrown into the water. After
                           approximately 60 minutes in the water the couple were assisted by a passer-by. Mr. Hill’s partner survived;
                           however, he was unable to be resuscitated. According to the coroner, had Mr. Hill been wearing a lifejacket,
                           his death may have been prevented.

                           Recommendations
                           1.	That Transport Safety Victoria consider introducing requirements that: (a) all boats be fitted with a manual or electrical
                               pumping mechanism to all bilge areas; and (b) when scuppers are fitted to a vessel, ensure that scuppers can be closed
                               shut from within the vessel when they are fitted to a vessel.
                           2.	That Transport Safety Victoria continue to explore potential models for a non-commercial vessel seaworthy inspection
                               and certificate regime as a means to ensuring the seaworthiness of vessels at points of registration, transfer of ownership,
                               and after a modification of the vessel.

                      Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 22
19
                                                                                                                                                   Snapshot
Victorians
drowned in the
Murray River
over the previous
decade.

Murray River Drowning
2008/09 To 2018/19
The Murray River has been identified       The majority of incidents occurred on a
as the number one river drowning           weekday (15, 79%), and in summer (8,
blackspot in Australia (Peden &            42%) or spring (5, 26%). The most
Queiroga, 2014). At 2,508 km, the          common activity just prior to drowning
Murray River is Australia’s longest        was swimming (7, 37%). Other activities

                                           47
river. It forms a majority of the border   included boating, kayaking, water-
length between Victoria and New            skiing, driving and recreating on a
South Wales and stretches down             houseboat. In 9 (47%) of the drowning
into South Australia. Due to state         deaths the person had reportedly

                                                                                        %
government legislation, drowning           consumed alcohol prior to the incident.
incidents that occur in the Murray
River are under New South Wales
jurisdiction and are therefore
reported in New South Wales
drowning. However, many of the
drowning victims resided in Victoria.
Therefore, the key trends of
Victorians drowning in the Murray
River are a focus for this report.
Two Victorians drowned in the Murray
River in 2018/19. Over the previous
decade, 44 Australians drowned in
the Murray River including 19
Victorians, an average of two per year
over the previous decade. Of the 19,       of Victorians that drowned
the majority, 15 (79%) were males,
the most common age groups were
                                           in the Murray River had
25-44 years (5, 26%) and 55-64 years       reportedly consumed alcohol
(4, 21%), and 2 (11%) were reported
as being from CALD communities.            prior to the incident.

                                                                                     Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 23
48
Snapshot

            individual beaches
            risk assessed
            (70 km of coastline)
            in Bass Coast Shire.

            Coastal                                                  BASS COAST                                SURF COAST

            Blackspot
                                                                     A coastal risk assessment including 48    The Surf Coast Shire VISIT (Victorian
                                                                     beaches (70 km of coastline) in Bass      Information on Safety Initiative for

            Projects
                                                                     Coast Shire was conducted and a           Tourists) project included research into
                                                                     detailed signage strategy was produced    how best to integrate key water safety
                                                                     in line with international signage        and drowning prevention messaging
            In order to address drowning and                         standards. This project also outlined     effectively into the tourism sector. LSV’s
            aquatic-related injury in concentrated                   additional multifactorial treatment       Risk and Research team surveyed 750
            areas along Victoria’s coastline,
                                                                     options such as pre-arrival public        beach visitors across 10 beaches to
            LSV has conducted projects in key
            blackspot drowning locations as                          awareness raising methods and safety      identify who is visiting the area, why and
            part of the Surf Life Saving Australia                   instruction, to guide land managers in    where they source information on their
            (SLSA) Beach Drowning Black Spot                         order to remove Bass Coast Shire from     visit. Sixty-eight local businesses and
            Reduction Program, thanks to federal                     the national drowning blackspot list.     tourism operators were engaged
            government funding.                                                                                to identify possible relationships to
                                                  MORNINGTON PENINSULA                                         promote beach safety to visitors.
            Since 2016, projects have been
            conducted in three key blackspot                                                                   From this, QR codes linking visitors
                                                  Surveys of 437 visitors on Mornington
            drowning locations: Bass Coast Shire, Peninsula beaches and 620 online                             to beach-specific safety information,
            Mornington Peninsula Shire, and Surf respondents provided insights to gain a                       local businesses and points of interest
            Coast Shire.                                                                                       were trialled at five Surf Coast beaches
                                                  better understanding of the behavioural
                                                                                                               in 2019.
            The intention of these projects was   and attitudinal characteristics of beach
            to improve water safety for residents goers on the Mornington Peninsula.                           In addition, LSV’s Risk and Research
            and visitors to these regions and     In addition, site assessments of 100                         team evaluated the impact of a
            ultimately reduce the drowning rate   beach areas (including The Pillars in                        multifaceted water safety campaign
            within these areas.                   Mount Martha) were conducted to                              at Eastern Beach in Geelong during
                                                  propose a shire-wide signage strategy,                       the 2016/17 summer. The campaign
                                                  taking into account beach goer                               engaged 1,070 beach patrons,
                                                  perceptions.                                                 particularly children aged 5-14 years
                                                                                                               and their parents/carers to provide
                                                                     Multicultural messaging around beach
                                                                                                               education on key water safety
                                                                     safety and parent/carer supervision was
                                                                                                               messages. Additionally, over 250 beach
                                                                     developed and collateral produced for
                                                                                                               goers were reached via discussions
                                                                     tourists visiting the Mornington
                                                                                                               with lifesavers around the dangers of
                                                                     Peninsula as part of the project.
                                                                                                               partaking in high-risk activities around
                                                                                                               water, including alcohol consumption
                                                                                                               and pier jumping.

       Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 24
750
Surf Coast beach visitors
surveyed by LSV’s Risk
and Research team across
10 beaches to identify who
is visiting the area, why and
where they source information
on their visit.

                                Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 25
Drowning Profiles
           By Victorian Statistical Areas 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                                                                         North West

                                                                                                                                     Shepparton

                                                                                                                   Bendigo
                                                                                                                                                            Hume
                                                                                                                                             Melbourne
                                                                                                                                             Inner East

                                                                                                                Ballarat
                                                                                                                                                                           Latrobe-Gippsland

                                                                                                                    Geelong
                                                                                               Warrnambool
                                                                                               and South West

                                                                                                                        Melbourne            Melbourne
                                                                                                                             West            North East

                                                                                                                       Melbourne             Mornington               Melbourne
                                                                                                                       North West            Peninsula                Outer East

                                                                                                                        Melbourne            Melbourne        Melbourne
                                                                                                                             Inner           Inner South      South East

                                                               Ballarat

                                                                 9
                                                                                     Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                                                                                    20           Ballarat SA4 residents
                                                                                                                 hospitalised due to
                                                                                                                 non-fatal drowning

                                                                                                    21
                                                                                                                 Emergency Department
                                                                                                                 presentations of Ballarat
                                                                                    Drowning

                                                                 8
                                                                                                                 SA4 residents for non-
                                                                                    Deaths                       fatal drowning
                                                                                                                                                                Ballarat

                                                                                                    59%
                                                                                                                 Likelihood of one or
                                                                                                                 more drowning deaths
                                                                                                                 occurring in Ballarat
                                                                                                                 SA4 in any given year
                                                                                    Ballarat
                                                                                    SA4

                                                                                                    55%
                                                                                                                 Likelihood of one
                                                                                    Residents                    or more residents of
                                                                                    Drowned                      Ballarat SA4 drowning
                                                                                    in Victoria                  in any given year

                                                               DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                     LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

                                                               Proportion of drowning deaths and population
                                                               by age group (years) 
                                                                                                                                                           Lakes
                                                                                                                                                                                               Males
                                                               40%
                                                                                                                                                           Other inland (dams, rivers/
                                                                                                                                                           creeks/streams)
                                                                                                                                                                                               were
                                                               30%                                                                                         Bathtubs/spa baths
                                                                                                                                                                                               2.0 times
                                                               20%
                                                                                                                                                                                               more likely
                                                               10%
                                                                                                                                                           Bathing
                                                                                                                                                                                               to drown
                                                                                                                                                           Walking/recreating
                                                                                                                                                           near water
                                                                                                                                                                                               than
                                                                                                                                                                                               females.
                                                                0%
                                                                          0-4        5-14      15-24    25-44      45-64         65+
                                                                                                                                                           Transport
                                                                                                                                                           (for work/recreation)
                                                                     Ballarat SA4 Population             Ballarat SA4 Drowning

                                     Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 26
Bendigo Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

  7                                33          Bendigo SA4 residents
                                               hospitalised due to
                                               non-fatal drowning

                                   15
                                               Emergency Department
                                               presentations of Bendigo
                    Drowning                                                     Bendigo

  3
                                               SA4 residents for
                    Deaths                     non-fatal drowning

                                   50%
                                               Likelihood of one or
                                               more drowning deaths
                                               occurring in Bendigo
                                               SA4 in any given year
                    Bendigo
                    SA4

                                   26%
                                               Likelihood of one
                    Residents                  or more residents of
                    Drowned                    Bendigo SA4 drowning
                    in Victoria                in any given year

DEMOGRAPHICS                                                              LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years) 
                                                                              Dams
                                                                                                                         Males
30%
                                                                              Lakes, rivers/
                                                                              creeks/streams
                                                                                                                         were
                                                                              Home swimming pools
                                                                                                                         7.0 times
20%
                                                                                                                         more
10%
                                                                              Walking/recreating
                                                                              near water                                 likely to
                                                                              Boating/fishing                            drown
                                                                                                                         than
 0%
          0-4        5-14      15-24   25-44     45-64         65+
                                                                              Transport
                                                                              (for work/recreation)
                                                                                                                         females.
      Bendigo SA4 Population            Bendigo SA4 Drowning

Geelong Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                   80
29
                                               Geelong SA4 residents
                                               hospitalised due to
                                               non-fatal drowning

                                   50
                                               Emergency Department
                                               presentations of Geelong
                    Drowning                   SA4 residents for
                    Deaths                     non-fatal drowning                 Geelong

                                   94%
                                               Likelihood of one or
                                               more drowning deaths

24
                                               occurring in Geelong
                                               SA4 in any given year
                    Geelong
                    SA4

                                   91%
                                               Likelihood of one
                    Residents                  or more residents of
                    Drowned                    Geelong SA4 drowning
                    in Victoria                in any given year

DEMOGRAPHICS                                                              LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years) 
                                                                              Beaches
                                                                                                                         Males
50%
                                                                              Ocean                                      were
40%
                                                                              Dams, rivers/creeks/streams
                                                                                                                         1.9 times
30%                                                                                                                      more likely
20%                                                                           Swimming/attempting
                                                                              a rescue                                   to drown
10%
                                                                              Walking/recreating
                                                                              near water
                                                                                                                         than
                                                                                                                         females.
 0%
          0-4        5-14      15-24   25-44     45-64         65+
                                                                              Diving
                                                                              (SCUBA/snorkelling)
      Geelong SA4 Population            Geelong SA4 Drowning

                                                                                                Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 27
Drowning Profiles
           By Victorian Statistical Areas 2008/09 to 2017/18   Hume             Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                                                                                        24
                                                                                                                   Hume SA4 residents

                                                               27
                                                                                                                   hospitalised
                                                                                                                   due to non-fatal
                                                                                                                   drowning

                                                                                                        27
                                                                                                                   Emergency Department
                                                                                                                   presentations of Hume
                                                                                   Drowning                        SA4 residents for
                                                                                   Deaths                          non-fatal drowning

                                                                                                        93%
                                                                                                                   Likelihood of one or
                                                                                                                   more drowning deaths

                                                               18
                                                                                                                   occurring in Hume                           Hume
                                                                                                                   SA4 in any given year

                                                                                   Hume SA4

                                                                                                        83%
                                                                                                                   Likelihood of one or
                                                                                   Residents                       more residents of Hume
                                                                                   Drowned                         SA4 drowning in any
                                                                                   in Victoria                     given year

                                                               DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                    LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

                                                               Proportion of drowning deaths and population
                                                               by age group (years) 
                                                                                                                                                    Rivers/creeks/streams
                                                                                                                                                                                  Males
                                                               50%
                                                                                                                                                    Lakes/dams                    were
                                                               40%
                                                                                                                                                    Home swimming pools
                                                                                                                                                                                  3.3 times
                                                               30%                                                                                                                more
                                                               20%                                                                                  Swimming/
                                                                                                                                                    paddling/wading               likely to
                                                               10%
                                                                                                                                                    Boating                       drown
                                                                                                                                                                                  than
                                                                0%
                                                                         0-4        5-14       15-24     25-44      45-64         65+
                                                                                                                                                    Fishing
                                                                                                                                                                                  females.
                                                                     Hume SA4 Population                  Hume SA4 Drowning

                                                               Latrobe-Gippsland                                 Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                                                                                        77
                                                                                                                   Latrobe-Gippsland SA4

                                                               55
                                                                                                                   residents hospitalised
                                                                                                                   due to non-fatal
                                                                                                                   drowning

                                                                                                        54
                                                                                                                   Emergency Department
                                                                                                                   presentations of Latrobe-
                                                                                   Drowning                        Gippsland SA4 residents
                                                                                   Deaths                          for non-fatal drowning

                                                                                                                                                              Latrobe-Gippsland

                                                                                                        99%
                                                                                                                   Likelihood of one or more
                                                                                                                   drowning deaths occurring

                                                               28
                                                                                                                   in Latrobe-Gippsland SA4
                                                                                   Latrobe-                        in any given year
                                                                                   Gippsland
                                                                                   SA4

                                                                                                        94%
                                                                                                                   Likelihood of one or more
                                                                                   Residents                       residents of Latrobe-
                                                                                   Drowned                         Gippsland SA4 drowning
                                                                                   in Victoria                     in any given year

                                                               DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                    LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

                                                               Proportion of drowning deaths and population
                                                               by age group (years) 
                                                                                                                                                    Beaches
                                                                                                                                                                                  Males
                                                               40%
                                                                                                                                                    Ocean                         were
                                                               30%                                                                                  Rivers/creeks/streams
                                                                                                                                                                                  3.6 times
                                                               20%
                                                                                                                                                                                  more likely
                                                               10%
                                                                                                                                                    Swimming/
                                                                                                                                                    attempting a rescue           to drown
                                                                                                                                                    Boating/fishing               than
                                                                                                                                                                                  females.
                                                                0%
                                                                         0-4        5-14       15-24     25-44      45-64         65+
                                                                                                                                                    Walking near water/
                                                                                                                                                    rock walking
                                                                     Latrobe-Gippsland SA4 Population     Latrobe-Gippsland SA4 Drowning

                                     Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 28
Inner, Inner East, Inner South, North East, North West, Outer East, South East, West
Melbourne                    Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

Melbourne                                          Melbourne
North West                                         North East

Melbourne                                                               Melbourne
West                                                                    Outer East

                                                                        Melbourne
Melbourne                                                               Inner East
Inner
               Melbourne                                                Melbourne
               Inner South                                              South East

DROWNING STATISTICS FOR ALL MELBOURNE SA4S

                                                                                                         Emergency          Likelihood of one Likelihood of one
                                                                                       Hospital          department         or more drowning or more residents
                                                         Drowning deaths             admissions         presentations         deaths in any    drowning in any
Statistical Area 4               Drowning deaths           of residents              of residents        of residents           given year        given year

Melbourne – Inner                         40                       33                      77                68                     98%                    96%

Melbourne – Inner East                    11                       19                      63                54                     67%                    85%

Melbourne – Inner South                   23                       18                      70                54                     90%                    83%

Melbourne – North East                    12                       21                      47                52                     70%                    88%

Melbourne – North West                    10                       15                      40                44                     63%                    78%

Melbourne – Outer East                    16                       35                      66                63                     80%                    97%

Melbourne – South East                    14                       38                      116               91                     75%                    98%

Melbourne – West                          27                       39                      82                96                     93%                    98%

DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                               LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

Male : Female Drowning Ratio in Melbourne SA4s                                                   Rivers/creeks/streams

 5.0
                                                                                                 Beaches/ocean

 4.0                                                                                             Swimming pools

 3.0                                                                                             Bathtubs/spa baths

 2.0                                                                                             Walking/recreating near water

 1.0                                                                                             Swimming/
                                                                                                 paddling/wading
 0.0
       Inner     Inner   Inner    North    North      Outer     South     West                   Bathing
                  East   South    East     West       East       East

PROPORTION OF DROWNING DEATHS AND POPULATION BY AGE GROUP (YEARS) FOR ALL MELBOURNE SA4S

                                          0-4                      5-14                 15-24              25-44                   45-64                   65+

Statistical Area 4               Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning Population Drowning

Melbourne – Inner                  5%           3%            7%          0%         16%         13%   42%        43%         20%         30%        11%         13%

Melbourne – Inner East             5%           0%        12%             18%        15%         0%    27%        18%         25%          9%        17%         55%

Melbourne – Inner South            6%           9%        12%             4%         12%         9%    27%        35%         26%          9%        16%         35%

Melbourne – North East             7%           23%       12%             8%         13%         38%   30%        15%         24%          0%        14%         15%

Melbourne – North West             8%           30%       13%             10%        13%         0%    30%        10%         23%         30%        13%         20%

Melbourne – Outer East             6%           13%       12%             13%        13%         19%   27%        19%         26%         19%        16%         19%

Melbourne – South East             7%           29%       13%             0%         15%         0%    30%        14%         22%         50%        13%         7%

Melbourne – West                   8%           15%       13%             0%         13%         11%   33%        15%         22%         33%        10%         26%

                                                                                                                   Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 29
Drowning Profiles
           By Victorian Statistical Areas 2008/09 to 2017/18   Mornington Peninsula                                      Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                                                                                       72
                                                                                                                    Mornington Peninsula

                                                               50
                                                                                                                    SA4 residents
                                                                                                                    hospitalised due to
                                                                                                                    non-fatal drowning

                                                                                                       85
                                                                                                                    Emergency Department
                                                                                                                    presentations of Mornington
                                                                                    Drowning                        Peninsula SA4 residents
                                                                                    Deaths                          for non-fatal drowning
                                                                                                                                                  Mornington
                                                                                                                                                  Peninsula

                                                                                                       99%
                                                                                                                    Likelihood of one or more
                                                                                                                    drowning deaths occurring

                                                               24
                                                                                                                    in Mornington Peninsula
                                                                                    Mornington                      SA4 in any given year
                                                                                    Peninsula
                                                                                    SA4

                                                                                                       91%
                                                                                    Residents                       Likelihood of one or more
                                                                                                                    residents of Mornington
                                                                                    Drowned                         Peninsula SA4 drowning
                                                                                    in Victoria                     in any given year

                                                               DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                       LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

                                                               Proportion of drowning deaths and population
                                                               by age group (years) 
                                                                                                                                                       Beaches/rocky outcrops
                                                                                                                                                                                      Males
                                                               50%
                                                                                                                                                       Ocean                          were
                                                               40%
                                                                                                                                                       Home swimming pools
                                                                                                                                                                                      4.6 times
                                                               30%                                                                                                                    more
                                                               20%                                                                                     Swimming/
                                                                                                                                                       paddling/wading                likely to
                                                               10%
                                                                                                                                                       Diving
                                                                                                                                                       (SCUBA/snorkelling)
                                                                                                                                                                                      drown
                                                                                                                                                                                      than
                                                                0%
                                                                          0-4        5-14        15-24     25-44      45-64         65+
                                                                                                                                                       Boating/fishing/rock fishing
                                                                                                                                                                                      females.
                                                                     Mornington Peninsula SA4 Population    Mornington Peninsula SA4 Drowning

                                                               North West                     Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                                                                                       28
                                                                                                                    North West SA4

                                                               10
                                                                                                                    residents hospitalised
                                                                                                                    due to non-fatal
                                                                                                                    drowning

                                                                                                       36
                                                                                                                    Emergency Department
                                                                                                                    presentations of North
                                                                                    Drowning                        West SA4 residents
                                                                                    Deaths                          for non-fatal drowning
                                                                                                                                                        North West

                                                                                                       63%
                                                                                                                    Likelihood of one or
                                                                                                                    more drowning deaths

                                                                        7
                                                                                                                    occurring in North West
                                                                                                                    SA4 in any given year
                                                                                    North
                                                                                    West SA4

                                                                                                       50%
                                                                                                                    Likelihood of one or
                                                                                    Residents                       more residents of North
                                                                                    Drowned                         West SA4 drowning
                                                                                    in Victoria                     in any given year

                                                               DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                       LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

                                                               Proportion of drowning deaths and population
                                                               by age group (years) 
                                                                                                                                                       Lakes/dams/
                                                                                                                                                       irrigation channels            Males
                                                               40%
                                                                                                                                                       Rivers/creeks/streams          were
                                                               30%                                                                                     Home swimming pools
                                                                                                                                                                                      10.0 times
                                                               20%
                                                                                                                                                                                      more likely
                                                               10%
                                                                                                                                                       Swimming
                                                                                                                                                                                      to drown
                                                                                                                                                       Boating                        than
                                                                                                                                                                                      females.
                                                                0%
                                                                          0-4        5-14        15-24     25-44      45-64         65+
                                                                                                                                                       Transport
                                                                                                                                                       (for work/recreation)
                                                                     North West SA4 Population              North West SA4 Drowning

                                     Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 30
Shepparton                        Statistical Area 4 – Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                      34
12
                                                  Shepparton SA4 residents
                                                  hospitalised due to
                                                  non-fatal drowning

                                      33
                                                  Emergency Department
                                                  presentations of
                    Drowning                      Shepparton SA4 residents
                    Deaths                        for non-fatal drowning

                                      70%
                                                  Likelihood of one or
                                                  more drowning deaths

14
                                                  occurring in Shepparton
                                                  SA4 in any given year                  Shepparton
                    Shepparton
                    SA4

                                      75%
                    Residents                     Likelihood of one or more
                                                  residents of Shepparton
                    Drowned                       SA4 drowning in any
                    in Victoria                   given year

DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                    LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years) 
                                                                                     Bathtubs/spa baths
                                                                                                                             Males
40%
                                                                                     Lakes/dams/irrigation
                                                                                     channels
                                                                                                                             were
30%                                                                                  Rivers/creeks/streams
                                                                                                                             5.0 times
20%
                                                                                                                             more
10%
                                                                                     Bathing
                                                                                                                             likely to
                                                                                     Walking/recreating
                                                                                     near water
                                                                                                                             drown
                                                                                                                             than
 0%
          0-4        5-14         15-24   25-44     45-64         65+
                                                                                     Swimming
                                                                                                                             females.
      Shepparton SA4 Population            Shepparton SA4 Drowning

                                                                               Statistical Area 4 –
Warrnambool and South West                                                     Drowning Statistics 2008/09 to 2017/18

                                      21
                                                  Warrnambool and South

32
                                                  West SA4 residents
                                                  hospitalised due to
                                                  non-fatal drowning

                                      16
                                                  Emergency Department
                                                  presentations of
                    Drowning                      Warrnambool and South
                    Deaths                        West SA4 residents
                                                  for non-fatal drowning
                                                                                   Warrnambool

                                      96%
                                                  Likelihood of one or more        and South West
                                                  drowning deaths occurring

22
                    Warrnam-                      in Warrnambool and South
                    bool and                      West SA4 in any given year
                    South
                    West SA4

                                      89%
                                                  Likelihood of one or more
                    Residents                     residents of Warrnambool
                    Drowned                       and South West SA4
                    in Victoria                   drowning in any given year

DEMOGRAPHICS                                                                    LOCATION AND ACTIVITY

Proportion of drowning deaths and population
by age group (years) 
                                                                                     Ocean
                                                                                                                             Males
40%
                                                                                     Beaches                                 were
30%                                                                                  Rivers/creeks/streams
                                                                                                                             9.7 times
20%
                                                                                                                             more likely
10%
                                                                                     Boating
                                                                                                                             to drown
                                                                                     Swimming/
                                                                                     attempting a rescue
                                                                                                                             than
                                                                                                                             females.
 0%
          0-4        5-14         15-24   25-44     45-64         65+
                                                                                     Walking/recreating
                                                                                     near water
      Warrnambool & South West             Warrnambool & South West
      SA4 Population                       SA4 Drowning

                                                                                                    Life Saving Victoria Victorian Drowning Report 2018/19 / 31
Victorian Water Safety Industry
                                  AGENCY                                                   GOVERNMENT ENTITIES                  LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
                                                                                                                                AND LAND MANAGERS
                                  Life Saving Victoria                                     Ambulance Victoria
                                  Aquatics and Recreation Victoria                         Country Fire Authority               Contributors to the
                                  Australian Sailing                                       Department of Education              Victorian Paid Lifeguard Service
                                  Australian Volunteer Coast Guard                         and Training                         Barwon Coast Committee
                                                                                           Department of Environment,           of Management INC
                                  AUSTSWIM
                                                                                           Land, Water and Planning             Bass Coast Shire Council
                                  Belgravia Leisure
                                                                                           Department of Justice and            Borough of Queenscliffe
                                  Boating Industry Association
                                                                                           Community Safety                     Colac Otway Shire Council
                                  Coroners Prevention Unit
                                                                                           Emergency Management Victoria        Corangamite Shire Council
                                  Dragon Boating Victoria
                                                                                           Emergency Services                   East Gippsland Shire Council
                                  Kidsafe Victoria                                         Telecommunications Authority         Frankston City Council
                                  Kiteboarding Australia                                   Municipal Association of Victoria    Glenelg Shire Council
                                  Landscaping Victoria                                     Parks Victoria                       Great Ocean Road Coast Committee
                                  Outdoors Victoria                                        Royal Children’s Hospital            Greater Geelong City Council
                                  Paddle Victoria                                          Safety Centre                        Greater Geelong City Council –
                                  Surfing Victoria                                         Sport and Recreation Victoria        Waterfront
                                  Swimming Pool and Spa                                    Transport Safety Victoria            Hobsons Bay City Council
                                  Association of Victoria                                  Tourism Victoria                     Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
                                  Swimming Victoria                                        Victoria Police                      Moyne Shire Council
                                  Triathlon Victoria                                       Victoria State Emergency Service     Parks Victoria Wilsons Promontory
                                  Victorian Municipal Building                             Victorian Building Authority         National Park
                                  Surveyors Group
                                                                                           Victorian Coastal Council            Port Phillip City Council
                                  Victorian Recreational Fishing
                                                                                           Victorian Fisheries Authority        South Gippsland Shire Council
                                  World Wide Swim School
                                                                                           Victorian Institute of Forensic      Surf Coast Shire Council
                                  YMCA Victoria                                            Medicine                             Warrnambool City Council
                                                                                           Victorian Multicultural Commission   Wellington Shire Council

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                                  Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016a). Census DataPacks.
                                  https://datapacks.censusdata.abs.gov.au/datapacks/ (downloaded Aug 2019). Australian Bureau of Statistics: Canberra.
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                                  Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, July 2016 (cat. no. 1270.0.55.001). Australian Bureau of Statistics: Canberra.
                                  Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2019). Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2019. Cat. No. 3101.0, Australian Bureau
                                  of Statistics: Canberra.
                                  Australian Water Safety Council. (2016). Australian Water Safety Strategy 2016-20. Australian Water Safety Council: Sydney.
                                  Bureau of Meteorology. (2019a). Victorian Seasonal Summary: Victoria in summer 2019. Retrieved from http://www.bom.
                                  gov.au/climate/current/season/vic/archive/201902.summary.shtml
                                  Bureau of Meteorology. (2019b). Victorian Seasonal Summary: Victoria in autumn 2019. Retrieved from http://www.bom.
                                  gov.au/climate/current/season/vic/archive/201905.summary.shtml
                                  Department of Human Services Multicultural Strategy Unit. (2002). Cited in Department of Human Services (2004),
                                  Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Strategy: Planning and Delivering Culturally Appropriate Supports for People with a
                                  Disability, Their Families and Carers. Department of Human Services: Melbourne.
                                  Department of Sustainability and Environment. (2011). My Victorian Waterway: Personal Connections with Rivers,
                                  Estuaries and Wetlands in Victoria. Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment: Melbourne.
                                  Matthews, B.L., Arch, J., and Shannon, P. (2018). Impact of a multi-sectoral injury prevention initiative: Play it Safe by the Water
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