Seniors urged to be ‘swim smart’
What two days of the week have the highest rate of drownings? A new report urges safety first for water-loving seniors.
Safety first this summer
Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia are preparing for summer, rolling out advertising campaigns, resourcing lifesaving services, and working with government agencies, councils, and community groups to promote water safety.
Royal Life Saving – Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia advise people to:
Always supervise children in, on, and around water
Learn swimming, water safety, and lifesaving skills
Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing, or paddling
Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
Check the conditions, including weather forecasts.
Australians are also advised to use the Surf Life Saving BeachSafe App to locate patrolled beaches.
More older people are drowning, with the death rate nearly three times that of children under five.
Adults 65 or older now account for 28% of drowning and, over the past decade, it has become the age group most likely to die this way.
In the year to 30 June 2024, people aged 75 and over recorded the highest drowning rate of all age groups – an increase of 26% on the 10-year average. The steady increase in drownings has occurred in all territories and states except Victoria.
Not surprisingly, Royal Life Saving Australia, which recently released its National Drowning Report 2024, is targeting older people, promoting lifelong swimming and water safety skills.
The report suggests older people are getting out into the great outdoors more – including boating and swimming, exercising by swimming, and generally enjoying sport and recreation whether at the beach or inland rivers and lakes.
While older people are participating more in sport and recreation and living closer to the water, they’re taking more risks – perhaps not managing underlying heart or other medical conditions, especially while boating or using watercraft, and not drilling up on the necessary safety skills and swimming fitness.
The report has prompted Aged Care Minister, Anika Wells, to urge seniors to prepare for and be safer for summer.
“Enjoying a swim has so many benefits, especially for older adults. If you are over 55 and love the water, having a pre-summer medical check-up to ensure you are swim fit and refreshing your skills at the local swimming pool are two great water safety ideas ahead of summer,” she said.
Emphasising the minister’s message, Royal Lifesaving Australia’s report says, “It’s frightening to think that many choose to enter the water but lack the skills to float and swim to safety when caught in a current or when they suddenly find themselves in deep water.
“Head to the local swimming pool to test your fitness and ability. Be realistic about your chances if something goes wrong in the water.
“If you can’t swim, set a goal to learn, and take extra caution until you are confident with your skills.”
Drowning deaths in the 50–64 age group represented 16% of total drowning deaths in 2023/24. The number of drowning deaths decreased by 2% when compared to the 10-year average.
Males accounted for 88% of drowning deaths in this age group. Those aged 59-60 recorded the highest number of deaths, with six drowning fatalities each.
The leading activity prior to drowning was swimming and recreating (35%), followed by boating (15%). Drowning deaths occurred at beaches (33%) followed by rivers/creeks (27%). Over one-third (37%) of drowning deaths occurred with 10km of where the person lived, including in their home environment.
In the 65+ age group, males accounted for 85% of all drowning deaths. People aged 76 recorded the highest number of drowning deaths overall in 2023/24, with eight drowning deaths, along with people aged 20 years.
Drowning deaths in this age group occurred mainly at beaches (25%) followed by rivers or creeks (21%). Swimming and recreation were the leading activity prior to drowning (29%) followed by boating (14%).
Interestingly, drowning in this age group most occurred mid-week, on a Tuesday or Wednesday (35%) – a departure from patterns observed in other age groups.
The National Drowning Report 2024 found there were 323 drowning deaths over the year from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 24 – 16% more than the 10-year average:
92 adults 65 years or older drowned (28% of the total), the largest number ever.
15 children under five drowned. This was down by 25% on the 10-year average.
25% were born overseas, with the highest countries being India, China, Nepal, and the UK. Long term data shows this figure is higher (34% over 10 years).
People from disadvantaged and regional areas drowned at a higher rate than those from higher advantaged areas, particularly among children aged 5–14.
46% occurred in coastal locations (150), including 84 drowning deaths (26%) at beaches.
34% occurred at inland waterway locations (110), including 80 drowning deaths (25%) in rivers.
11% occurred in swimming pools (35 deaths), half (51%) of which were backyard pools.
December and March recorded the highest numbers of drowning deaths.
Drowning rates increase tenfold from age 10 to 20, likely due to increases in risk taking, and a lack of swimming, water safety, and lifesaving skills.
Related reading: RLSA
