national coastal safety report 2015

NATIONAL COA S TAL SAFET Y REPORT 2015S U R F L I F E S A V I N G A U S T R A L I A

SURF LIFE SAVING AUS TR ALIA NATIONAL COA S TAL SAFET Y REPORT 2015

N A T I O N A L D R O W N I N G S N A P S H O T

COASTALDROWNING

DEATHS

MALE

AT THE BEACH

FEMALE

19

3712

014

182

16% 27 % 9 %RIP

CURRENTS

33%SWIMMING

19%BOATING

13%ROCK

FISHING

9%WATERCRAFT

MEDICALCONDITIONOR INJURY

ALCOHOL/DRUGSAT LEAST 5KM FROM A

LIFESAVING SERVICE

Location

Activity

Contributing Factors

02

C O N T E N T S

S E C T I O N O N E : C O M M U N I T Y A N D C A PA B I L I T Y

S E C T I O N T WO : D R OW N I N G A N A LYS I S

06 24

A U S T R A L I A N P O P U L AT I O N 0 8

C OA S TA L V I S I TAT I O N 0 9

S W I M M I N G A B I L I T Y 10

R I S K PE R C E P T I O N 12

C A PA B I L I T Y 14

M E M B E R S H I P C A PAC I T Y 18

R E S C U E S 2 0

I N T R O D U C T I O N 04

G LO S S A RY 48

R E F E R E N C E 50

N AT I O N A L OV E R V I E W 26

N E W S O U T H WA L E S 32

Q U E E N S L A N D 3 4

V I C TO R I A 3 6

W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A 3 8

S O U T H A U S T R A L I A 4 0

TA S M A N I A 4 2

N O R T H E R N T E R R I TO RY 4 5

D R O W N I N G C H A I N 4 6


I N T R O D U C T I O N

As the nation’s peak coastal water safety, drowning

prevention and rescue authority, Surf Life Saving

Australia’s vision is zero preventable deaths in

Australian waters. The National Coastal Safety Report 2015

provides a detailed analysis for 2014–15 and helps identify the

challenges ahead to improve water safety and lower Australia’s

drowning rate.

Our aim is to create great Australians, build better communities,

and continue our primary mission of saving lives. Australians and

visitors are drawn to our vast and beautiful coastline, with an

estimated 100 million visitations each year. Surf Life Saving

Australia (SLSA) has provided a reliable safety service to meet

the community’s needs for more than 100 years.

The National Coastal Safety Report 2015 details SLSA’s holistic

approach to drowning prevention via the Total Service Plan

and the National Safety Agenda. It recognises that drowning

is only part of the analysis that informs sound decision-making

regarding coastal safety. This report also features vital

information about the Australian community and how they

interact with the coast. Such evidence is crucial in understanding

how Surf Life Saving may need to adapt to carry on meeting

community needs, while also acting to increase people’s

resilience to coastal hazards. Surf Life Saving’s existing capacity

and capability, including lifesaving services and resources,

prevention strategies and emergency response activities,

are outlined in the report.

Surf Life Saving uses detailed analysis to deliver evidence-based

drowning prevention and resilience-building initiatives, including

our Beach Drowning Blackspot Reduction Program. We are

committed to using our limited resources to achieve the greatest

reduction in drowning and the best return on investment for

government, corporate partners and donors across the

community, including our dedicated fundraisers, the Guardians

of the Surf.

Despite the extensive national network of lifesaving services,

102 people drowned in 2014–15. Every one of these lives lost is

one too many.

Surf Life Saving is committed to the goal of Australian Water

Safety Strategy 2012–2015: to reduce coastal drowning by

50% by 2020. It is an ambitious undertaking that will only be

achievable with an evidence-based strategy delivered with

commitment and collaboration.

I commend this report to you as a vital element in the effort

to reduce drowning deaths on Australia’s coast.

Melissa King

Chief Executive Officer

Surf Life Saving Australia

SURF LIFE SAVING USES DETAILED ANALYSIS TO DELIVER EVIDENCE-BASED DROWNING PREVENTION AND RESILIENCE-BUILDING INITIATIVES.

04

T O T A L S E R V I C E P L A N

The Total Service Plan is Surf Life Saving Australia’s (SLSA)

national drowning reduction strategy and service plan. It

is created using an iterative process of analysis and review

to identify coastal safety issues of national importance. This

approach follows the public health model and is consistent with

international risk management principles.

In collaboration with stakeholders, SLSA identifies coastal

safety risks using incident monitoring, coastal risk assessments

and participation analysis. This information is analysed via

trend and target identification, GIS plotting and critical incident

analysis to identify the top national coastal safety issues,

priorities and blackspot areas that require intervention or

mitigation strategies.

THE NATIONAL SAFETY AGENDA

The issues and blackspots identified through

the Total Service Plan process form the basis of

SLSA’s National Safety Agenda. The agenda

influences lifesaving operations, including

services and equipment allocation, and

drives public education, including

evidence-based mitigation strategies,

communications campaigns and pilot

projects, and informs SLSA’s research

plan. Each component of the agenda is

regularly reviewed, evaluated and revised

as new evidence and data become available.

The Total Service Plan takes a risk management

approach, which allows SLSA to use the evidence to

ensure we locate lifesaving services and assets in areas

of need and have appropriate public education programs

and mitigation strategies to address the coastal safety issues

and known blackspots. Embedded in the process is continual

monitoring and evaluation of evidence, policies, strategies

and programs to ensure the treatments and interventions are

effective in reducing drowning deaths along the Australian coast.

The coastal safety needs of the Australian community

reflected in the National Safety Agenda and the Surf Life Saving

movement’s capacity and capability to meet these needs are

explored in the ‘Community and Capability’ section of this report.

Figure 1

TOTAL SERVICE PLAN PROCESS OVERVIEW

The Total Service Plan aligns with the International Standard ISO

31000:2009 framework, which provides principles and guidelines

for risk management.

ContextDrowning Statistics

Non-fatal Drowning DataOperational Statistics

Market ResearchPopulation Data

Participation/Behaviour Data

Communication and Consultation

Market ResearchStakeholder Consultation

Councils, Committees and Groups

Conferences and Forums

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitor TrendsMonitor and Evaluate Service/

Asset DeploymentEvaluate Pilot Programs

Evaluate Research

Incident Tracking Capability Statement

Participation/Behaviour Analysis

National Risk RegisterCoastal Risk Assessments

Risk Identification

Coastal Safety BriefsTrend Identification

GIS Analysis

Critical Incident AnalysisTarget Identification

Case Studies

Analysis

Evaluation

Treatment/InterventionLifesaving and Support Services

Blackspot Reduction ProgramBeach Safety Equipment Fund

Communication CampaignsPublic Education and Training

Early Warning Systems

Coastal Safety Hub Risk Assessment

National Coastal Safety Report

Strategic Research Agenda

National Safety AgendaNational Coastal

Safety IssuesBlackspot Identification

NATIONAL SAFETY AGENDA ISSUES

1. Rip Currents

2. Boating

3. Rock Fishing

4. Watercraft

5. Toxicity and Health

6. International Tourists

7. Snorkelling and Diving

8. Over 55 Years

9. Dangerous Marine

Creatures

10. New Migrants

SECTION ONE COMMUNIT Y AND CAPABILIT Y05

PROFICIENT MEMBERS

49,33612,690RESCUES

HelicopterMissions

1,499 313 1,035 IRBs Clubs

VOLUNTEER PATROL HOURS

1,300,000

C O M M U N I T Y A N D C A P A B I L I T Y

S E C T I O N O N E


A U S T R A L I A N P O P U L A T I O N

Figure 2

AUSTRALIAN POPULATION DENSITY PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA)

This map shows the estimated Australian population density per

LGA at 30 June 2014. Most LGAs with a population density higher

than 100 persons per square kilometre are located on Australia’s

coastal fringe.

1,000km

SCALE

0

0.1-1 persons per km2

< 0.1 persons per km2

1-10 persons per km2

10-100 persons per km2

> 100 persons per km2

Key to Population Density per LGA

Brisbane

Sydney

Canberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Adelaide

Darwin

Perth

Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics (3218.0 Regional Population Growth, Australia)

08

SECTION ONE COMMUNIT Y AND CAPABILIT Y

C O A S T A L V I S I T A T I O N

Figure 3

2014–15: COASTAL VISITATION BY ACTIVITY

Question: Which of the following coastal activities have you

participated in during the past 12 months? How often do you

participate in these activities? Almost half of the Australian

population visit the coast at least once per year to swim, making

it the most popular coastal activity. The second most popular

activity is boating, with 18% of people participating in boating at

least once a year.

0 10 20 30 40 50

Swimming or Wading

Boating

Land-based or Rock Fishing

Surfing

Watercraft

Snorkelling or Scuba Diving

Less Often

3-11 Times per Year

1-4 Times per Week

1-3 Times per Month

5+ Times per Week3%1% 1% 4%

1%

1%

2% 2% 2%

2% 2% 2%

2% 2% 2% 2%

2%

3%

4%

7% 6%1% 1% 3%

6% 8% 22% 9%4%

3% 2%7% 4%

Total - 49%

Total - 18%

Total - 12%

Total - 10%

Total -9%

Total - 9%

Reference: SLSA National Coastal Safety Survey 2015

Swimming8.1 million swimmers

2.9 million frequent swimmers (at least once a month)

7 swimming hours per occasional swimmer per year

48 swimming hours per frequent swimmer per year

Boating3 million boaters

0.8 million frequent boaters (at least once a month)

17 boating hours per occasional boater per year

110 boating hours per frequent boater per year

Watercraft1.4 million watercraft users

0.9 million frequent watercraft users (at least once a month)

8 watercraft hours per occasional watercraft user per year

379 watercraft hours per frequent watercraft user per year

Land-based or Rock Fishing1.9 million fishers

0.8 million frequent fishers (at least once a month)

15 fishing hours per occasional fisher per year

284 fishing hours per frequent fisher per year

Surfing1.7 million surfers

1 million frequent surfers (at least once a month)

8 surfing hours per occasional surfer per year

279 surfing hours per frequent surfer per year

Snorkelling or Scuba Diving1.4 million snorkellers or scuba divers

0.3 million frequent snorkellers or scuba divers (at least

once a month)

8 snorkelling or diving hours per occasional snorkeller/

diver per year

261 snorkelling or diving hours per frequent snorkeller/

diver per year

09


S W I M M I N G A B I L I T Y


Can't SayHighlyCompetent

Swimmer

CompetentSwimmer

AverageSwimmer

WeakSwimmer

Unable To Swim

Swimming Ability in General

Swimming Ability in the Ocean

9%

14%

23%

33%

39%

31%

20%

14%

8%

4%2%

3%

Unableto Swim

WeakSwimmer

AverageSwimmer

CompetentSwimmer

HighlyCompetent

Swimmer

Total

26%

47%

36%

27%25%

13%

UnpatrolledBeach

21%45%

25%

21%

4%3%

1%

Netted \ Enclosed Pool

Rock PoolUnpatrolled Beach

Patrolled Beach, but Not Always During Patrolled Hours

Patrolled Beach DuringPatrol Hours Only

Can’t Say

Able to Swim 50m in a Pool without Stopping

Able to Swim 50m in the Oceanwithout Stopping

56%

38%

Figure 4

2014–15: SWIMMING ABILITY OF THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC

Question: How would you rate your swimming ability? And how

would you rate your swimming ability in the ocean? Australians

rate themselves as less competent swimmers in the ocean than in

other locations. While 28% of people say they are competent or

highly competent swimmers in general, only 18% of people rate

themselves similarly in the ocean.

Figure 7

2014–15: SWIMMERS’ ABILITY TO IDENTIFY RIP CURRENTS

Question: Please look at the picture below and identify the

location of any rip currents. Only 26% of respondents were

able to accurately identify rip currents when shown two images

containing rip currents. While 47% of people who reported

themselves as highly competent ocean swimmers correctly

identified the rip currents, only 13% of people who reported they

are unable to swim were able to identify the rip currents.

Figure 5

2014–15: ABILITY TO SWIM 50M WITHOUT STOPPING

Question: Are you currently able to swim 50m without stopping

or touching the bottom? Are you currently able to swim 50m

in the ocean without stopping or touching the bottom? While

56% of people say they are able to swim 50m or more without

stopping in a pool or other enclosed body of water, only 38% of

people say they are able to swim 50m in the ocean.

Figure 6

2014–15: USUAL SWIMMING LOCATION

Question: Where do you usually go swimming in the ocean?

Less than half of the Australian population (45%) usually swim

at patrolled beaches during patrol hours, while 25% swim at

patrolled beaches outside of patrol hours. More than one in five

Australians (21%) usually swim at unpatrolled locations.

10

R I P C U R R E N T S S N A P S H O T2 0 0 4 –15

ANALYSISOn average, at least 19 people drown per year as a result of rip currents.

It’s the highest number of deaths for an individual hazard or activity.

AVERAGE DEATHS PER YEAR

19AVERAGE FATALITY RATE

0.10PER 100,000 POPULATION

RANK

1st102

43

218

1716

3

14%

9%

1%

CONTRIBUTING FACTORSSwimming at unpatrolled locations

Attempting a rescue

Alcohol/drug toxicity

FATALITIES

210fatalities 2004–15

86%WERE MEN

AVERAGE AGE

36YEARS

ACTIVITIES

PARTICIPATIONSwimming/Wading

• 8.1 million swimmers

• 2.9 million frequent swimmers (at least once a month)

• Occasional swimmers average 7 hours per year

• Frequent swimmers average 48 hours per year

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW/ACTFemaleMaleTotal

49% 49%54% 54%

38%

47%

40% 41%44%

52%

Per

cen

tag

e o

f Po

pu

lati

on

(%)

2014–15: NATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN COASTAL SWIMMING

Swimming/Wading

Attempting a Rescue

Watercraft

Rock Fishing

Rock/Cliff Related

Diving

Snorkelling

Other

72%

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

MEN AGED

15–39YEARS

Australian residents, Australian-born and overseas-born



R I S K P E R C E P T I O N

Can't Say

Not at All Hazardous

Not Very Hazardous

Somewhat HazardousVery Hazardous

Extremely Hazardous

8%

14%

50%

16%

5%

7%

SomewhatHazardous

50%

RISK PERCEPTION AND BEHAVIOURAL INSIGHTS

There is a lack of awareness among the public about the

hazards posed by the Australian coast. Surf Life Saving

Australia’s 2015 National Coastal Safety Survey revealed:

• 50% of people say the coast is only somewhat hazardous,

while 41% of people say the beach is not very or not at

all hazardous.

• 70% of people perceive rip currents to be very or extremely

hazardous, but only 26% of people are able to correctly

identify a rip current.

• Only 38% of people say they are able to swim more than

50m in the ocean without stopping or touching the bottom.

• Participants in coastal activities do not follow key safety

procedures—only 45% of people usually swim at a

patrolled beach during patrol hours, while 21% say they

usually swim at unpatrolled locations; only 18% of fishers,

42% of watercraft users and 53% of boaters always wear

a lifejacket.

While certain coastal hazards, such as rip currents, are

recognised as dangerous by people, participation in coastal

activities where rip currents may be present (such as

swimming and wading) is not seen to be hazardous. In

general, occasional (and potentially less experienced)

participants in coastal activities see the activity as less

hazardous than frequent participants say they perceive

the same activity.

This lack of understanding about the coastal environment,

together with people’s poor swimming ability in the ocean

and their low level of adherence to safety procedures, form

a dangerous combination that contributes to coastal

drowning deaths.

Surf Life Saving Australia is undertaking behavioural insights

research into high-risk groups to better understand people’s

perception of hazards and what motivates them to follow

water safety procedures. The intelligence from the research

will be used to inform water safety strategies and mitigations

as well as communications plans to more effectively influence

people’s behaviour. The research will provide a behaviour

change framework that will ultimately be used to improve

people’s resilience to coastal hazards and reduce drowning

deaths among beachgoers and coastal users.

Can't Say

Not at All HazardousNot Very HazardousSomewhat Hazardous

Very HazardousExtremely Hazardous

Not Very or Not at All Hazardous

41%

5%

9%

39%31%

10%

6%

Figure 8

2014–15: HAZARD PERCEPTION OF THE COAST

Question: How hazardous do you believe the coast (by coast

we mean the ocean and surf zone and the adjacent rocky coast)

to be? Half of the Australian population believe the coast to be

somewhat hazardous, while 21% of people perceive it to be not

very or not at all hazardous.

Figure 9

2014–15: HAZARD PERCEPTION OF THE BEACH

Question: How hazardous do you believe the beach (by beach

we mean the ocean and surf zone and the adjacent sandy beach)

to be? Four out of ten (41%) people say the beach is not very or

not at all hazardous, while 14% of people believe it to be very or

extremely hazardous.


12


Figure 10

2014–15: PERCEPTION OF COASTAL ACTIVITIES

Question: How hazardous do you think it is to participate in each of

the following activities in Australian coastal areas? How would you

rate the following hazards in Australian coastal areas? Rip currents

are seen to be very or extremely hazardous by 70% of Australians,

while 35% of people think similarly about waves. Participating in

popular coastal activities such as swimming (13%) and wading

(10%) is not perceived to be very hazardous. Rock fishing is

perceived to be very or extremely hazardous by 46% of people.

Figure 11

2014–15: PERCEPTION OF COASTAL ACTIVITIES BY PARTICIPANTS

Question: How hazardous do you think it is to participate in

each of the following activities in Australian coastal areas? In

general, frequent participants in coastal activities (at least once

per month) rate participation in the activity to be more hazardous

than occasional participants view the same activity. However,

49% of frequent rock fishers think the activity is very or extremely

hazardous, while 56% of occasional participants rate it similarly.

Rip

Cur

rent

s

Sun

Exp

osur

e

Trop

ical

Mar

ine

Stin

ger

Cre

atur

es

Mar

ine

Stin

ger

Cre

atur

es

Cro

cod

iles

Shar

ks

Roc

k Fi

shin

g

Wav

es

Scub

a D

ivin

g

Surfi

ng

Wat

ercr

aft

Snor

kelli

ng

Boa

ting

Swim

min

g

Wad

ing

Land

-bas

edFi

shin

g

10% 10%13%

15%17%

21%

26% 27%

35%

46%

53% 53% 54%

61%63%

70%Activities People Say are Very or Extremely HazardousCoastal Hazards People Say are Very or Extremely Hazardous

Scub

a D

ivin

g

Snor

kelli

ng

Boa

tin

g

Roc

kFi

shin

g

Lan

d-b

ased

Fish

ing

Wat

ercr

aft

Surfi

ng

Wad

ing

Swim

min

g

Frequent Participants Who Say the Activity is Very or Extremely HazardousOccasional Participants Who Say the Activity is Very or Extremely Hazardous

23%

5%

20%

2%

45%

12%

45%

7%

37%

6%

36%

11% 11%

30%

49%46%

50%

56%

13


C A P A B I L I T Y

Surf Life Saving (SLS) has significant

capability to provide coastal

surveillance patrols and aquatic

search and rescue (SAR) operations,

working in close partnership with police

and emergency services.

Our lifesavers are equipped with fit-for-

purpose equipment designed to operate

in hazardous and challenging conditions.

Thousands of rescue boards and tubes

are used around the flagged patrol areas

of our 313 Surf Life Saving clubs. They

are supported by 1,499 inflatable rescue

boats (IRBs), allowing lifesavers to quickly

navigate the surf zone and near-shore

environment.

Roving surveillance patrols that

actively monitor a stretch of coastline

near a primary patrolled area are vital

to our drowning prevention strategy.

Lifesavers undertake these patrols

using 414 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

and 4WD vehicles.

SLS support operations services extend

further beyond the red and yellow flags

to provide surveillance and emergency

response in isolated and hazardous

coastal areas. Agile craft such as 156

rescue water craft (RWC) and eight jet

rescue boats (JRBs) allow lifesavers to

access white-water areas such as coastal

bars and rocky coastlines.

A national fleet of 15 offshore rescue

boats (ORBs) and eight rigid-hull

inflatable boats (RIBs) further expand the

SLS response capability providing longer

range surveillance and blue-water rescue

services as well as supporting lifesaving in

SAR operations.

For rapid, isolated or complex rescues,

11 Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters

provide aerial support to lifesavers and

further extend our surveillance and

SAR capability. These important assets

also support police and emergency

services in a range of emergency and

disaster situations.

Critical radio communications support

these services via a broad coastal radio

network connected to communications

and operations centres. The centres

coordinate the SLS emergency response

system and input data into our SurfCom

data management system.

These services are expertly delivered

and managed through the 49,336

proficient lifesavers (Bronze Medallion

and Surf Rescue Certificate holders)

across the country. They receive

specialised training to industry best-

practice standards under the Australian

Qualifications Framework to ensure the

community receives reliable service of the

highest quality across the nation.

AUSTRALIAN LIFEGUARD SERVICE

The Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS)

is a national lifeguard provider of beach

and pool lifeguard services to 69 local

government councils and land managers

all across Australia. It is the largest

supplier of professional lifeguards in

Australia. Annually, the ALS employs more

than 700 full-time, seasonal and casual

lifeguards and management staff.

ALS patrols are fully integrated into

and work alongside Surf Life Saving’s

volunteer beach patrol services, support

operations services, 24-hour emergency

response systems and strategically

located Westpac Life Saver Rescue

Helicopter Services.

ALS patrols vary from single-day patrols

on peak periods and public holidays (e.g.

Australia Day) to private providers to 365-

day services for large local governments.

They are a crucial component in offering a

seamless service to the community during

peak periods.

A number of local councils around

Australia maintain lifeguard services.

Statistics for those services have not been

included in this report.

14


Brisbane

SydneyCanberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Adelaide

Darwin

Perth

1,000km

SCALE

0

59

57

30

3

21

14

129

Figure 12

2014–15: SURF LIFE SAVING CLUBS

There are 313 clubs around Australia: 129 in New South Wales,

59 in Queensland, 57 in Victoria, 30 in Western Australia, 21 in

South Australia, 14 in Tasmania and 3 in Northern Territory.

15


C A P A B I L I T Y

Brisbane

SydneyCanberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Adelaide

Darwin

Perth

1,000km

SCALE

0

80

39

17

3

2

1

84

Figure 13

2014–15: AUSTRALIAN LIFEGUARD SERVICE

The Australian Lifeguard Service provides 226 lifeguard services

around Australia: 84 in New South Wales, 80 in Queensland,

39 in Victoria, 17 in Western Australia, 2 in South Australia,

1 in Tasmania and 3 in Northern Territory.

16


1,000km

SCALE

0

Jet Rescue Boat (JRB)

Rescue Water Craft (RWC)

Rigid-hull Inflatable Boat (RIB)

Offshore Rescue Boat (ORB)

Helicopter

Brisbane

SydneyCanberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Adelaide

Darwin

Perth

Figure 14

2014–15: SLS MAJOR ASSET LOCATION AND SERVICE RANGE

SLS maintains a fleet of 156 rescue water craft in 63 local

government areas, as well as 8 jet rescue boats, 8 rigid-hull

inflatable boats, 15 offshore rescue boats and 11 helicopters.

Their locations and service ranges are depicted on this map.

17


M E M B E R S H I P C A P A C I T Y

Figure 15

2014–15: PROFICIENT LIFESAVERS

There were a total of 38,748 proficient Bronze Medallion holders

and 10,588 proficient Surf Rescue Certification holders for the

entire 2014–15 season.

Figure 17

2014–15: INFLATABLE RESCUE BOAT OPERATORS

There were 6,672 proficient inflatable rescue boat (IRB) drivers

and 13,339 proficient IRB crew for the entire 2014–15 season.

Figure 18

2014–15: FIRST AID QUALIFICATIONS

There were a total of 11,516 Apply First Aid and 12,761 Advanced

Resuscitation Techniques certificate holders who were proficient

for the entire 2014–15 season.

Figure 16

2014–15: PATROLLING LIFESAVERS

There were a total of 42,956 members who performed a patrol

during the 2014–15 season.

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW

Bronze Medallion

Surf Rescue Certificate17,973

4,115

7,996

2,431

5,471

1,784

4,187

1,601 2,365

482 656 154 21 100

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW

19,403

8,844

6,260

4,889

2,600

810150

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW

Proficient IRB Driver

Proficient IRB Crew

3,077

5,805

1,681

3,305

877

1,960

478

1,067

403

875

140 301

2616

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW

Advanced Resuscitation Techniques

Apply First Aid

6,250

5,145

2,757

3,349

1,671 1,247

937 877 798 778309 104 1639

18

B O A T I N G S N A P S H O T2 0 0 4 –15

ANALYSISOn average, at least 16 people drown per year as a result of boating.

It’s the second highest number of deaths for an individual activity.




RANK

2nd

NSW24%

42

38

3319

23

16

4

QLD22%

VIC19%

SA13%

TAS11%

WA9%

NT2%

CONTRIBUTING FACTORSNo lifejacket usage

Boating alone

Boating at night

Alcohol/drug toxicity

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

MEN AGED

40–69YEARS

Australian residents, Australian-born

FATALITIES


91%WERE MEN

AVERAGE AGE

50YEARS

LOCATION

PARTICIPATION• 3 million total boaters

• 0.8 million frequent boaters (at least once a month)

• Occasional boaters average 17 hours per year

• Frequent boaters average 110 hours per year

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW/ACT FemaleMaleTotal

18% 18% 18%

12%13%

18%

45%

19% 19%23%

Per

cen

tag

e o

f Po

pu

lati

on

(%)

2014–15: NATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN COASTAL BOATING



R E S C U E S

1,000km

SCALE

0

Key to Rescues per LGA

1 - 9 Rescues

10 - 49 Rescues

50 - 149 Rescues

150 - 449 Rescues

> 450 Rescues

3,644

6,741

498

244

302

1,205

56

Brisbane

Sydney

Canberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Adelaide

Darwin

Perth

Figure 19

2014–15: RESCUES PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA)

SLS lifesavers, lifeguards and support service personnel

performed rescues across 99 LGAs around Australia.

20


Figure 20

2014–15: RESCUES PER STATE


performed 12,690 rescues during 2014–15.

Figure 21

2014–15: PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS PER STATE


performed 1,255,090 preventative actions during 2014–15.

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW

6,741

3,644

498

1,205

244 56 302

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW

425,106

648,831

113,442

44,503 19,003

696 3,509

21


1,000km

SCALE

0

3- 5 Emergency Responses




>25 Emergency Responses

Key to Emergency Responses per LGA

9

65

37

505

270

18

101

Brisbane

Sydney

Canberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Adelaide

Darwin

Perth

Figure 22

2014–15: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA)

SLS support service personnel responded to requests

for assistance from emergency services across 95 LGAs

around Australia.

R E S C U E S

22


1,000km

SCALE

0

5 - 9 Drowning Deaths

1- 4 Drowning Deaths

10 -16 Drowning Deaths

17-30 Drowning Deaths

> 31 Drowning Deaths

Key to Coastal Drowning Deaths per LGA

406

171

21

141

83

157

51

Brisbane

Sydney

Canberra

Hobart

Melbourne

Adelaide

Darwin

Perth

Figure 23

2004–15: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS PER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA)

During 2004 to 2015, there were 1,031 drowning deaths in 144

LGAs throughout Australia.

23

D R O W N I N G A N A LY S I SS E C T I O N T W O

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

MALE86% 14%

FEMALE102 COASTALDROWNING DEATHS

9%

Alcohol/Drugs

27%

Medical Conditionor Injury

16%

Rip Currents


N A T I O N A L O V E R V I E W

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0

0.1

0.2

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op

.)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

8995 98

89

8985

69

113118

83

102

No COD Listed COD Listed

Figure 24

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF NATIONAL COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

National coastal drowning death numbers and crude drowning

rates 2004–15. The 11-year average rate per 100,000 population

is 0.43 and the number is 94, while the rate for 2014–15 is 0.43

and the number is 102.

Figure 25

2004–15: 11-YEAR COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY

The national rates of activity types being undertaken when

coastal drowning deaths occur vary over time. The rates of

rock fishing (0.05 vs. 0.06 average rate per 100,000 pop.) and

attempting a rescue (0.004 vs. 0.02 average rate per 100,000

pop.) activities are below the 11-year average rate. Swimming and

wading (0.14 rate per 100,000 pop.), snorkelling (0.02 rate per

100,000 pop.) and other activities (0.02 rate per 100,000 pop.)

have rates equal to the 11-year averages. Boating (0.08 vs. 0.07

average rate per 100,000 pop.), watercraft (0.04 vs. 0.03 rate per

100,000 pop.), diving (0.03 vs. 0.02 average rate per 100,000

pop.) and rock/cliff related (0.02 vs. 0.01 rate per 100,000 pop.)

activities have a higher rate this year than the 11-year average.

Other activities include vehicular events, plane crash, beach

fishing and falls.

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

0.20

2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

UnknownOtherRock/Cliff RelatedSnorkellingDivingAttempting a RescueWatercraftRock FishingBoatingSwimming/Wading

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op

.)

26

SECTION T WO DROWNING ANALYSIS

Figure 26

2014–15: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS BY STATE

Of the 102 coastal drowning deaths, 37 (36%) occurred in NSW,

19 (19%) in Qld, 18 (18%) in Vic, 14 (14%) in WA, 12 (12%) in SA,

2 (2%) in Tas, and zero in NT.

Figure 27

2014–15: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS BY AGE GROUP AND SEX

The age group representing the highest rate of fatalities is 45–49

years (n=15, 0.06 rate per 100,000 pop.). Eighty-eight fatalities

(86%) were male.

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op

.)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8Crude Drowning Rate per 100,000

Crude Drowning Deaths (n)

Nu

mb

er (n

)

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0

0.03

0.04

0.02

0.01

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

unknown85+80-8475-7970-7465-6960-6455-5950-5445-4940-4435-3930-3425-2920-2415-1910-145-90-4

Female

Male

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op

.)

27


BLACKSPOTS

A blackspot is an area with a high concentration of coastal/

ocean incidents and a high probability/risk of ongoing

reoccurrence. SLSA has identified the local government areas

(LGAs) listed below as blackspots. These LGAs are priorities

for conducting coastal risk assessments and implementing

drowning prevention activities via the Beach Drowning

Blackspot Reduction Program.

New South Wales: Bega Valley Shire, Byron Shire,

City of Coffs Harbour, City of Gosford, City of Randwick,

City of Shoalhaven, City of Wollongong, Pittwater,

Sutherland Shire, Warringah, Waverley, Wyong Shire

Northern Territory: City of Darwin

Queensland: Cairns Region, City of Gold Coast, Noosa Shire,

Redland City, Sunshine Coast

South Australia: City of Victor Harbor

Tasmania: City of Clarence

Victoria: City of Greater Geelong, Mornington Peninsula

Shire, Bass Coast Shire, Surf Coast Shire

Western Australia: City of Stirling

Beach

Rock/Cliff

Offshore

Bay

Marina/Jetty

Beach

56%56%

22%

16%

4% 3%

Swimming/Wading

Boating

Rock Fishing

Watercraft

DivingSnorkellingRock/Cliff RelatedOtherAttempting a RescueUnknown

Swimming/Wading

33%

33%

19%13%

9%

7%

5%

5%

4%5%

1%

N A T I O N A L O V E R V I E W

Figure 28

2014–15: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY (N=102)

The majority of coastal drowning deaths occurred when an

individual was participating in swimming or wading (n=34, 33%),

boating (n=19, 19%), rock fishing (n=13, 13%), using non-powered

watercraft (n=9, 9%) or scuba diving (n=7, 7%).

Figure 29

2014–15: LOCATION OF COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS (N=102)

The majority of coastal drowning deaths occurred at a beach

(n=57), at a rock/cliff location (n=22) and offshore (n=16). When

compared to last year (2013–14), the percentages illustrate a

decrease in offshore (16% from 33%) and rock/cliff locations

(22% from 25%) and an increase in drowning deaths in beach

(56% from 38%) and bay (4% from 0%) locations. There were,

again, no drowning deaths between the flags.

28


Greater than 5km

1km to 5km

Less than 1km

Greater than5km

41% 41%

30%

28%

Greater than 50km

Less than 10km

10km to 50km

International

Unknown

32%

28%

28%

7%4%

Greater than50km

32%

Per

cen

tag

e (%

)

0

3

6

9

12

15

Jun

e

May

Ap

ril

Mar

ch

Feb

ruar

y

Jan

uary

Dec

emb

er

Nov

emb

er

Oct

ober

Sep

tem

ber

Aug

ust

July

11:0

1pm

-12a

m

10:0

1pm

-11p

m

9:01

pm

-10p

m

8:01

pm

-9p

m

7:01

pm

-8p

m

6:01

pm

-7p

m

5:01

pm

-6p

m

4:01

pm

-5p

m

3:01

pm

-4p

m

2:01

pm

-3p

m

1:01

pm

-2p

m

12:0

1pm

-1p

m

11:0

1am

-12p

m

10:0

1am

-11a

m

9:01

am-1

0am

8:01

am-9

am

7:01

am-8

am

6:01

am-7

am

5:01

am-6

am

4:01

am-5

am

3:01

am-4

am

2:01

am-3

am

1:01

am-2

am

12:0

1am

-1 a

m

Per

cen

tag

e (%

)0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Figure 30

2014–15: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS BY MONTH (N=102)

The highest number of coastal drownings occurred in the month

of January (n=14); this is followed by December, February and

March (n=10). Sixty-eight occurred outside of the summer

months. Shading denotes season.

Figure 32

2014–15: DISTANCE FROM DROWNING LOCATION TO A LIFESAVING SERVICE (N=102)

Forty-two individuals (41%) drowned further than 5km from the

nearest lifesaving club. No coastal drowning deaths occurred

between the red and yellow flags.

Figure 31

2014–15: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS BY TIME (N=84)*

There are currently 84 coastal drowning deaths (82% of the total)

with known times. Approximately one third of these fatalities

occurred between 1:01pm and 3pm (n=22).

* Only incidents with known times are represented.

Figure 33

2014–15: DISTANCE FROM RESIDENCE TO DROWNING LOCATION (N=102)

Thirty-three individuals (32%) lived further than 50km from

the drowning location, and 7 coastal drowning deaths (7%)

involved international tourists.

29

BRISBANE

SYDNEY

CANBERRA

HOBART

MELBOURNE

ADELAIDE

DARWIN

PERTH

1,000km

SCALE

0

22

3

8

5

3

5

2

222

2

2

2 2

2

2

2 225

23

3

2

52

42

2

8 3 2

5 34

2

4

2 334 2 3 2

2 2

2

2

2

32

33

2

2

44

22

3

49

42

3 28

9 8 419 25 4 4 2

9 6 312 3727

4 342 2 3222

822322

22

3 2210

2 3 3

3 22

3

2

32

62

24

2

4382

4 425

72

52

215

823

3 2

22 3

2 7

3 22

2

2

2

24

6 2

2

2

2

2

3

22

4

2

2

2

2 2

2

2

3 3

3

2

32

22 3

2

224

3

2

3

22

2

2

2

2

D R O W N I N G L O C AT I O N M A P2 0 0 4 –15

KEY TO DROWNING ACTIVITY

Attempting a Rescue

Boating

Diving

Rock Fishing

Rock/Cliff Related

Snorkelling

Swimming/Wading

Watercraft

Other

Unknown

Multiple instances per activity

at the same location

2

141


BRISBANE

SYDNEY

CANBERRA

HOBART

MELBOURNE

ADELAIDE

DARWIN

PERTH

1,000km

SCALE

0

22

3

8

5

3

5

2

222

2

2

2 2

2

2

2 225

23

3

2

52

42

2

8 3 2

5 34

2

4

2 334 2 3 2

2 2

2

2

2

32

33

2

2

44

22

3

49

42

3 28

9 8 419 25 4 4 2

9 6 312 3727

4 342 2 3222

822322

22

3 2210

2 3 3

3 22

3

2

32

62

24

2

4382

4 425

72

52

215

823

3 2

22 3

2 7

3 22

2

2

2

24

6 2

2

2

2

2

3

22

4

2

2

2

2 2

2

2

3 3

3

2

32

22 3

2

224

3

2

3

22

2

2

2

2

171

406

51

21

83

157


N E W S O U T H W A L E S

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

201

4-1

5

201

3-1

4

201

2-13

201

1-12

201

0-1

1

20

09

-10

20

08

-09

20

07-0

8

20

06

-07

20

05

-06

20

04

-05

Nu

mb

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)

Rat

e (p

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op

.)

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

35 35

45

29

39 40

23

4846

29

37

Swimming/Wading

Rock Fishing

Boating

Watercraft

DivingOtherRock/Cliff RelatedSnorkellingUnknown

Swimming/Wading

38%38%

19%

16%

8%

5%

3%3%

3%5%

Figure 34

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF NEW SOUTH WALES COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

In 2014–15, there were 37 coastal drowning deaths or a rate of

0.49 per 100,000 population in New South Wales (NSW). From

2004 to 2015, there has been an average number of 37 coastal

drowning deaths per year, which is an 11-year average rate of

0.52 per 100,000 pop.

Figure 35


The majority of coastal drowning deaths in NSW occurred when

an individual was participating in swimming and wading (n=14,

38%), rock fishing (n=7, 19%), boating (n=6, 16%) or watercraft

(n=3, 8%).

Figure 36

2004–15: COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS BY ACTIVITY

The rates of activity types being undertaken when coastal

drowning deaths occur vary over time in NSW. The rock fishing

activity rate is less than the 11-year average (0.09 vs. 0.11 average

rate per 100,000 pop.) this year. Activities that have a rate

equal to the 11-year average are swimming and wading (0.18

per 100,000 pop.), watercraft (0.04 per 100,000 pop.), rock/

cliff related activities other than fishing (0.01 per 100,000 pop.)

and snorkelling (0.01 per 100,000 pop.). Activities that have a

rate greater than the 11-year average are boating (0.08 vs. 0.05

average rate per 100,000 pop.) and diving (0.03 vs. 0.02 average

rate per 100,000 pop.). There were no incidents related to

attempting a rescue in 2014–15.

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op

.)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

UnknownSnorkellingOtherRock/Cliff RelatedDivingAttempting a RescueWatercraftBoatingRock FishingSwimming/Wading

32


CASE STUDY: ROCK FISHING

Fishing is one of the most popular sports in New South

Wales (NSW). About 656,000 people in NSW/ACT fish at

least once a year (SLSA NCSS, 2015). Rock fishers make up

a small, but passionate, sector of the fishing community.

While rock fishing is an enjoyable pastime, unfortunately, it

also poses many dangers. Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA)

partnered with the University of New South Wales in the

development of the Research Review of Rock Fishing in

New South Wales. Three recommendations were presented

as a result of the research.

1. Develop a state-wide strategic plan for rock fishing

safety in NSW, including the delegation of responsibilities

to key agencies, stakeholders and non-government

organisations, and the development of clear objectives

and key performance indicators. 2. Develop, implement

and assess a public education and communication

campaign, incorporated into the state-wide strategy

to promote safe rock fishing practices and support the

introduction of legislation. 3. Legislate the mandatory

wearing of lifejackets while rock fishing at coastal locations

in NSW. In July 2015, the NSW coroner made the same

recommendations after an inquest into nine NSW rock-

fishing deaths that have occurred since 2012.

ISSUE INTERVENTION

Rip currents Surf education programs

Watercraft Enhancing triple zero (000) awareness Improve effective emergency response

Boating Dangerous surf warnings

OTHER NEW SOUTH WALES COASTAL SAFETY ISSUES

Figure 37

2004–15: NEW SOUTH WALES COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

Figure 38

2004–15: ROCK FISHING RELATED DROWNING DEATHS IN NSW

There have been 85 rock fishing drowning deaths in NSW

since 2004, an average of 7.7 per year. Males make up 94% of

the deaths, and the average age of individuals is 46 years.

2

44

22

3

49

42

3 28

9 8 419 25 4 4 2

9 6 312 3727

4 342 2 3222

822322

22

3 2210

2 3 3

3 22

3

2

32

62

24

2

4382

4 425

2

2

22

SYDNEY

CANBERRA

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Nu

mb

er (n

)

6

9 9

1211

4 4

7 78 8

201

4-1

5

201

3-1

4

201

2-13

201

1-12

201

0-1

1

20

09

-10

20

08

-09

20

07-0

8

20

06

-07

20

05

-06

20

04

-05

Attempting a RescueBoatingDivingRock FishingRock/Cliff Related SnorkellingSwimming/WadingWatercraftOther UnknownMultiple instances per activity at the same location

2

33


Q U E E N S L A N D

Figure 39

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF QUEENSLAND COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS


0.40 per 100,000 population in Queensland (Qld). From 2004 to

2015, there has been an average number of 16 coastal drowning

deaths per year, which is an average rate of 0.36 per 100,000 pop.

Figure 40


The majority of coastal drowning deaths in Qld occurred when an

individual was swimming and wading (n=7, 37%), boating (n=4,

21%), and diving or snorkelling (each n=2, 11%).

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

201

4-1

5

201

3-1

4

201

2-13

201

1-12

201

0-1

1

20

09

-10

20

08

-09

20

07-0

8

20

06

-07

20

05

-06

20

04

-05

Nu

mb

er (n

)

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op

.)

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

18

11

17

12

9

16 17

24

1315

19

Swimming/Wading

Boating

Diving

Snorkelling

WatercraftAttempting a RescueUnknown

Swimming/Wading

37%37%

21%

11%

11%

11%

5%

5%

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

UnknownRock/Cliff RelatedOtherRock FishingDivingAttempting a RescueWatercraftSnorkellingBoatingSwimming/Wading

Rat

e (p

er 1

00

,00

0 p

op

.)

Figure 41



drowning deaths occur vary over time in Qld. The watercraft

activity rate is less than the 11-year average (0.02 vs. 0.04 average

rate per 100,000 pop.) this year. Activities that have a rate equal

to the 11-year average are snorkelling (0.04 per 100,000 pop.)

and attempting a rescue (0.02 per 100,000 pop.). Activities that

have a rate greater than the 11-year average are swimming and

wading (0.15 vs. 0.13 average rate per 100,00 pop.), boating (0.08

vs. 0.07 average rate per 100,000 pop.) and diving (0.04 vs. 0.01

average rate per 100,000 pop.). There were no incidents related

to rock fishing or other rock/cliff-related activities in 2014–15.

34


72

52BRISBANE

215

823

3 2

22 3

2 7

3 22

2

2

2

24

6 2

CASE STUDY: SWIMMING AND WADING

During 2014–15, drowning while swimming and wading

represented 37% of all coastal drowning deaths in

Queensland. The rip current hazard is the top national safety

agenda issue and rip currents were known to be contributory

factors in at least 53% of all swimming and wading coastal

drowning deaths in Queensland in 2004–15.

To address this issue, Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ)

has identified the need to undertake risk assessments

in drowning blackspot local government areas (LGA).

The assessments include identifying coastal risks and

signage requirements and providing recommendations for

mitigation strategies for threats to public safety, lifesaving

services, rescue equipment, training, communications,

emergency response and community education.

Following recommendations from coastal risk

assessments, SLSQ has implemented increased lifesaving

services at locations identified as areas of need, for

example Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. SLSQ

also works closely with the accommodation providers in

known blackspot locations to provide visitors with water

safety information.

Issue Intervention

Diving/Snorkelling Charter boat awareness program Coastal risk assessments

Unpatrolled locations Emergency response beacons

Inter-state and international tourists

Airport greeting programs

OTHER QUEENSLAND COASTAL SAFETY ISSUES

Figure 42

2004–15: QUEENSLAND COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

Figure 43

2004–15: SWIMMING AND WADING RELATED DROWNING DEATHS IN QUEENSLAND

There have been 60 swimming and wading related

drowning deaths in Queensland since 2004, which is an

average of 5.5 per year. Rip currents were known to be

contributory factors in at least 32 (53%) of these deaths.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

201

4-1

5

201

3-1

4

201

2-13

201

1-12

201

0-1

1

20

09

-10

20

08

-09

20

07-0

8

20

06

-07

20

05

-06

20

04

-05

Swimming/Wading Known Rip Currents

Nu

mb

er (n

)


2

35


V I C T O R I A

Boating

Swimming/Wading

Diving

Rock Fishing

WatercraftOtherUnknown

Boating

33%

33%

17%17%

11%

11%

6%6%

0

5

10

15

20

25

201

4-1

5

201

3-1

4

201

2-13

201

1-12

201

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.)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.45

1415

11

17

1112

10 10

23

16

18

Figure 44

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF VICTORIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS


0.30 per 100,000 population in Victoria (Vic). From 2004 to 2015,

there has been an average number of 14 coastal drowning deaths

per year, which is an average rate of 0.26 per 100,000 pop.

Figure 45


The majority of coastal drowning deaths in Vic occurred when an

individual was boating (n=6, 33%), swimming and wading (n=3,

17%), and diving (n=3, 17%).

Figure 46


The rates of activity types undertaken when coastal drowning

deaths occur vary over time in Vic. The swimming and wading

activity rate is less than the 11-year average (0.05 vs. 0.08

average rate per 100,000 pop.) this year. Activities that have a

rate greater than the 11-year average are boating (0.10 vs. 0.05

average rate per 100,000 pop.), watercraft (0.03 vs. 0.02 average

rate per 100,000 pop.), rock fishing (0.03 vs. 0.02 average rate

per 100,000 pop.) and diving (0.05 vs. 0.02 average rate per

100,000 pop.). There were no incidents related to attempting

a rescue, rock/cliff related activities other than rock fishing, or

snorkelling activities in 2014–15.

0.00

0.02

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2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

UnknownSnorkellingRock/Cliff RelatedAttempting a RescueOtherDivingRock FishingWatercraftBoatingSwimming/Wading

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2 225

23

MELBOURNE

3

2

52

428 3 2

5 34

2

4

2 2

2

2 334 2 3 2

CASE STUDY: LIFEJACKETS AND BOATING

Drowning while participating in boating represented

33% of all coastal drowning deaths in Victoria in 2014–15,

and boating is the second highest number of coastal

deaths for an activity in Australia. In most instances, the

victim was not wearing a lifejacket. In 2005, regulation

was introduced in Victoria to make wearing lifejackets

compulsory, and a study by Bugeja et al (2014) reported

a significant reduction in drowning deaths following its

introduction. However, the lack of lifejacket use continues

to be a contributing factor in coastal boating drowning

deaths. Surf Life Saving Australia is a signatory to the

International Lifejacket Principles, which ‘recognise

the importance of promoting the wearing of lifejackets

when boating’. Through the Play it Safe by the Water

program and other initiatives, Life Saving Victoria (LSV)

works collaboratively with Maritime Safety Victoria to

promote lifejacket usage to Victorians. In addition, LSV

members provide role modelling for the community—it

is compulsory for lifesavers and lifeguards to wear

lifejackets while operating inflatable rescue boats or

rescue watercraft.

1

2

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09

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08

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05

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20

04

-05

Issue Intervention

Rip currents Open Water Learning Experience

Watercraft Promoting lifejacket usage

Inconsistent or incomplete coastal safety signage

Coastal risk assessments, including recommendations about signage

Rock fishing Promoting lifejacket usage and key safety messages

60+ year olds Play it Safe by the Water program Grey Medallion

OTHER VICTORIAN COASTAL SAFETY ISSUES

Figure 47

2004–15: VICTORIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

Figure 48

2004–15: BOATING RELATED DROWNING DEATHS IN VICTORIA

There have been 33 boating related drowning deaths in

Victoria since 2004, which is an average of three per year.

Males make up 97% of the deaths, and the average age of

individuals is 53 years.


2

37


W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A

Figure 49

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS


0.54 per 100,000 population in Western Australia (WA). From

2004 to 2015, there has been an average number of 13 coastal

drowning deaths per year, which is an average rate of 0.40 per

100,000 pop.

Swimming/Wading

Rock Fishing

Watercraft

Rock/Cliff Related

Swimming/Wading

36%36%

29%

21%

14%

0

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25

30

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15

24

8

14

Figure 50


The majority of coastal drowning deaths in WA occurred when

an individual was swimming and wading (n=5, 36%), rock fishing

(n=4, 29%), or using non-powered watercraft (n=3, 21%).

Figure 51



drowning deaths occur vary over time in WA. Activities that have

a rate greater than the 11-year average are swimming and wading

(0.19 vs. 0.15 average rate per 100,000 pop.), rock fishing (0.15

vs. 0.12 average rate per 100,000 pop.), watercraft (0.12 vs. 0.06

average rate per 100,000 pop.) and rock/cliff related activities

other than rock fishing (0.08 vs. 0.04 average rate per 100,000

pop.). There were no incidents related to boating, snorkelling,

diving or attempting a rescue activities in 2014–15.

0.00

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0.10

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0.25

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0.35

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2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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CASE STUDY: SURFING AND OTHER WATERCRAFT

Surfing and using other watercraft are popular activities

in Western Australia (WA), The Surf Life Saving Australia

National Coastal Safety Survey 2015 reported that 12%

of the WA population surf and 7% use other watercraft.

The Cape Regions on the state’s south-western coast

is a popular tourist and surfing destination. However,

there have been seven fatalities while surfing or using

watercraft in that region between 2004 and 2015. Some of

the preferred surfing locations are remote or very remote,

which can be an influencing factor in the success of any

rescue or medical emergency.

Three off-duty Australian Lifeguard Service WA lifeguards

were awarded the Surf Life Saving Australia Rescue of the

Month for December 2014. In 1.8 m swell, they rescued

a body boarder at Cape Naturaliste who required spinal

management and was transported via ambulance to

hospital. This incident highlights the importance of

having trained personnel on site to provide appropriate

emergency care. Surf Life Saving Western Australia

(SLSWA) is focused on enhancing lifesaving services

to meet changing community needs. SLSWA support

services and lifeguard services are key to providing

effective emergency response in remote areas.

22

4

2

2

2

2 2

2

2

3 3

3

2

32

22 3

2

224

3

2

3PERTH

Issue Intervention

Swimming and wading BeachSAFE education and capacity building programs

Rock fishing Promoting the Emergency Preparedness Principle of BeachSAFEMaintaining capability to provide emergency response

OTHER WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COASTAL SAFETY ISSUES

Figure 52

2004–15: WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

Figure 53

2004–2015: WATERCRAFT RELATED DROWNING DEATHS IN WA (N=13)

There have been 13 watercraft related drowning deaths

in WA since 2004, which is an average of 1.2 per year.

Most of the watercraft related deaths are a result of

surfing (n=6, 46%).

Kite/Wind surfing

Body boarding

Surfing

46%

38%

15%


2

39


S O U T H A U S T R A L I A

Figure 54

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS


0.70 per 100,000 population in South Australia (SA). From 2004

to 2015, there has been an average number of 8 coastal drowning

deaths per year, which is an average rate of 0.47 per 100,000 pop.

Figure 55


The majority of coastal drowning deaths in SA occurred when an

individual was swimming and wading (n=4, 33%), boating (n=3,

25%), or snorkelling (n=2, 17%).

Swimming/Wading

Boating

Snorkelling

Other

Rock/Cliff Related

Swimming/Wading

33%

33%

25%

17%

17%

8%

0

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6

8

10

12

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76

7

12

Figure 56



drowning deaths occur vary over time in SA. Activities that have a

rate greater than the 11-year average are swimming and wading

(0.24 vs. 0.17 average rate per 100,000 pop.), boating (0.18 vs.

0.12 average rate per 100,000 pop.), rock/cliff related activities

other than rock fishing (0.06 vs. 0.03 average rate per 100,000

pop.) and snorkelling (0.12 vs. 0.06 average rate per 100,000

pop.). There were no incidents related to watercraft, diving,

attempting a rescue, or rock fishing activities in 2014–15.

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

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2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

UnknownRock FishingAttempting a RescueSnorkellingDivingOtherRock/Cliff RelatedWatercraftBoatingSwimming/Wading

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22

3

8

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2

222

2

2

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2

ADELAIDE

2

2

CASE STUDY: BOATING

During 2014–15, drowning while boating represented

25% of all coastal drowning deaths in South Australia,

and boating is the second highest number of deaths for

an individual activity in South Australia. In most instances

the victim was not wearing a lifejacket. Currently, South

Australia does not have legislation mandating the use

of lifejackets while boating, although using lifejackets

is encouraged.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is a signatory to the

International Lifejacket Wear Principles, which report that

‘the single greatest challenge facing the recreational

boating safety community today is increasing the lifejacket

wear rate among the boating public’. SLSA recommends

that boaters always wear lifejackets when travelling in

small open boats and promotes this message to the public.

SLSA’s National Coastal Safety Survey 2015 revealed

that only 53% of boaters always wear a lifejacket. SLSA

has identified the need for a national campaign to raise

awareness about lifejacket usage among boaters. A

current research project investigating coastal boaters’

behaviour and attitudes will provide key behavioural

insights to inform the campaign and other public

education initiatives.

Issue Intervention

Swimming and wading Community education programs Vacation swimming programs

Drowning in regional locations Extend lifesaving services

OTHER SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COASTAL SAFETY ISSUES

Figure 57

2004–15: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

Figure 58

2004–15: BOATING RELATED DROWNING DEATHS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

There have been 23 boating related drowning deaths

in SA since 2004, which is an average of two per year.

Males make up 91% of the deaths, and the average age

of individuals is 48 years.

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41


T A S M A N I A

Figure 59

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF TASMANIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

In 2014–15, there were 2 coastal drowning deaths or a rate of 0.39

per 100,000 population in Tasmania (Tas). From 2004 to 2015,

there has been an average number of 5 coastal drowning deaths

per year, which is an average rate of 0.92 per 100,000 pop.

0

1

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2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-050.0

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Figure 60



drowning deaths occur vary over time in Tas. Activities that

have a rate greater than the 11-year average are swimming

and wading (0.19 vs. 0.15 average rate per 100,000 pop.) and

rock/cliff related activities other than rock fishing (0.19 vs.

0.04 average rate per 100,000 pop.). There were no incidents

related to boating, rock fishing, diving, watercraft, snorkelling or

attempting a rescue activities in 2014–15.

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

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2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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CASE STUDY: PADDLE SAFE

The use of paddlecraft, such as kayaks, canoes and ocean

skis, is popular in Tasmania. Retailers have seen sales

increase—in 2014–15, more than 4,000 paddlecraft

were sold. The SLSA National Coastal Safety Survey 2015

reported that at least 55,000 Tasmanians use a paddlecraft

in coastal waters.

The proliferation of paddlecraft in Tasmania combined

with increased numbers of lightweight-craft-related

rescues during 2014–15 has been identified as an area

requiring attention. Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST), in

partnership with Marine and Safety Tasmania (MaST),

have produced a three-year strategy focusing on

lightweight craft. A cornerstone of the strategy is the

Paddle Safe program, which has a multi-faceted approach

to strengthen community resilience. The program is

a consolidated intervention, education and practical

skills program aimed at encouraging and increasing safe

participation and recreation. It promotes paddle safety

messages (including lifejacket usage) via traditional media

as well as social media channels. It includes a holistic safety

program for paddlecraft users, supervisors and teachers,

including skills development sessions for the general

public and school groups. Additionally, retailers, school

staff, outdoor educators and tourism staff were engaged

and provided professional development to improve their

understanding of aquatic safety. The program began in

2014–15 and will continue into the following years.

Issue Intervention

Rip currents Community education programs

Boating Boatwise app (collaboration with MaST)Promoting awareness about inflatable lifejacket usage (collaboration with MaST)

Cold water immersion Public awareness campaigns and on-water education (collaboration with MaST)

OTHER TASMANIAN COASTAL SAFETY ISSUES

Figure 61

2004–15: TASMANIAN COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

2

2

2

32

33

2

HOBART


2

43


R O C K F I S H I N G S N A P S H O T2 0 0 4 –15

ANALYSISOn average, at least 13 people drown per year as a result of rock fishing.

It’s the third highest number of deaths for an individual activity.




RANK

3rd

NSW62%

85

4

116

1

30

0

WA22%

VIC8%

TAS4%

QLD3%

SA1%

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

No lifejacket usage

Dangerous conditions

Fishing alone

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

MEN AGED

25–64 YEARS

Australian residents, Australian-born and overseas-born

FATALITIES


94%WERE MEN

AVERAGE AGE

45YEARS

LOCATION

PARTICIPATION• 1.3 million rock fishers

• 0.6 million frequent rock fishers (at least once a month)

• Occasional rock fishers average 9 hours per year

• Frequent rock fishers average 309 hours per year 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW/ACT FemaleMaleTOTAL

8%

5% 5%

11%

5%

11%

14%

10%9%9%

Per

cen

tag

e o

f Po

pu

lati

on

(%)

2014–15: NATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN COASTAL ROCK FISHING



N O R T H E R N T E R R I T O R Y

Figure 62

2004–15: 11-YEAR TREND OF NORTHERN TERRITORY COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

In 2014–15, there were no coastal drowning deaths in the

Northern Territory (NT). From 2004 to 2015, there has been an

average number of 2 coastal drowning deaths per year, which is

an average rate of 0.84 per 100,000 pop. Issue Intervention

Boating Promoting safe boating practices Providing emergency response

Dangerous marine creatures Wet season patrols

NORTHERN TERRITORY COASTAL SAFETY ISSUES

Figure 63

2004–15: NORTHERN TERRITORY COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS

Figure 64



drowning deaths occur vary over time in NT. There were no

coastal drowning deaths to report in 2014–15.

0.0

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2014-152013-142012-132011-122010-112009-102008-092007-082006-072005-062004-05

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DARWIN


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45


D R O W N I N G C H A I N

REDUCE DROWNING

LACK

OF

KNOW

LEDGE, D

ISREGARD FOR

OR

MIS

UNDE

RSTA

NDING OF THE HAZARD

RISK

ASSESSMENT

TO IN

CREA

SE K

NOW

LEDGE THROUGH QUALITY

PUBL

IC E

DUCA

TION AND AWARENESS TO PROMOTE SAFE AQUATIC

ENVIRONMENTS

TO PROMOTE QUALITY

LIFESAVING SERVICES

TO PROMOTE THE ACQUI

SITI

ON

OF SURVIVAL S

KILL

S

EDUCAT

E AND

INFO

RM

PROVIDE WARNINGS

AND DENY ACCESSEXTEND

LIFESAVING SERVICESINCREASE

SURVIVAL SKILL

S

RISK ASSESSMENTRISK ASSESSMENTRISK ASSESSMEN

T

UNINFORMED OR UNRESTRICTED

ACCESS TO THE HAZARDLACK OF SUPERVISION

OR SURVEILLANCEINABILITY TO

COPE

ONCE IN DIFF

ICULT

Y

Breaking the Drowning ChainUnderstanding why people drown is vital to developing drowning prevention strategies. Four key

factors have been identified that may lead to accidental drowning, known as the ‘Drowning Chain’.

Any of these factors alone, or in combination, could lead to death by drowning (George, 2011).

Figure 65

THE DROWNING CHAIN AND DROWNING PREVENTION STRATEGIES

The key factors that lead to drowning deaths are lack of

knowledge, disregard for or misunderstanding of the hazard;

uninformed or unrestricted access to the hazard; lack of

supervision or surveillance; and inability to cope once in

difficulty. Each of these factors can be mitigated using drowning

prevention strategies. Examples of types of strategies to address

the factors are show adjacent to the factors in this visualisation of

the Drowning Chain.

Mitigation Strategy: Educate and Inform

• Increase community awareness of hazards

• Provide education and training• Undertake advocacy

Mitigation Strategy: Warnings and Access

• Provide warnings• Coastal risk assessments• Improve infrastructure

Mitigation Strategy: Survival Skills

• Develop people’s aquatic skills • Improve community resilience

to the hazard

Mitigation Strategy: Lifesaving Services

• Provide lifesaving services • Emergency response

46

W A T E R C R A F T S N A P S H O T2 0 0 4 –15

ANALYSISOn average, at least eight people drown per year as a result of using

non-powered watercraft. It’s the fourth highest number of drowning

deaths for an individual activity.




RANK

4th32

18

123

413

0

17%

16%

5%

4% 5%

CONTRIBUTING FACTORSUnpatrolled locations

No lifejacket use (paddlers and other watercraft)

Rip currents

Surfing/paddling alone

FATALITIES


92%WERE MEN

AVERAGE AGE

41YEARS

TYPE OF CRAFT

PARTICIPATION• 1.7 million surfers

• 1 million frequent surfers (at least once a month)

• Occasional surfers average 8 hours per year

• Frequent surfers average 279 hours per year

• 1.4 million total watercraft users

• 0.9 million frequent watercraft users (at least once a month)

• Occasional watercraft users average 8 hours per year

• Frequent watercraft users average 379 hours per year

0

5

10

15

20

25

NTTASSAWAVICQLDNSW/ACT FemaleMaleTotal

10%9%

7%8% 8%

5% 5%

21% 21%

3%4%

6%7% 7%

6%

14%

11%

16%

12% 12%

Per

cen

tag

e o

f Po

pu

lati

on

(%)

2014–15: NATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN COASTAL WATERCRAFT USE

Surfing/Body BoardingOther Watercraft

Surfboard

Body board

Kayak/Canoe

Kite surfing/Wind surfing

Wave ski/Surf ski

Other54%

KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

MEN AGED

25–49 YEARS

Australian residents, surfers and body boarders

MEN AGED

25–49 YEARS

Australian residents, paddlecraft users



G L O S S A R Y

Advanced Resuscitation Techniques - A certification providing

the skills and knowledge required to use specialised

equipment in the provision of resuscitation in line with the

Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.

ALS - Australian Lifeguard Service.

Apply First Aid - A certification providing the skills and

knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a

casualty.

Attempting a rescue - An individual who makes an effort to

remove someone from a dangerous situation.

AWSC - Australian Water Safety Council—also Australian Water

Safety Conference.

AWSS - Australian Water Safety Strategy.

Bay - A body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide

mouth, affording access to the sea.

Beach - An expanse of sand or pebbles along a shoreline.

Blackspot - An area with a high concentration of coastal/ocean

incidents and a high probability/risk of ongoing reoccurrence.

Boating - Individuals using either a powered vessel or sailing

boat for pleasure and/or fishing.

Coastal - The foreshore, seabed, coastal water and air space

above a large body of water (harbour/bay/inlet), including

areas up to 2NM offshore and of which the landward boundary

is the line of mean high water, except that where that line

crosses a river/inlet, the landward boundary at that point

shall be the point upstream that is calculated by multiplying

the width of the river/inlet mouth by 5. (Adopted from the

Resource Management Amendment Act 1993-New Zealand).

Coastal death - A fatality arising from various circumstances

occurring (e.g. heart attack, boat collision, fall, shark attack)

where the location of the death is coastal.

Coastal drowning death - Where the location of the drowning is

on the coast, in the ocean up to 2NM offshore or inland up to

five times the width of the inlet/river.

COD - Cause of death

Crude drowning rate - The crude drowning rate is a comparative

rate of drowning to the size of the population in that area.

Dangerous surf warning - An alert issued by the Bureau of

Meteorology indicating that surf conditions in an area are

unsafe for coastal activities. The warnings are calculated

based on wave height, swell direction and swell period.

Diving - Engaging in recreational or commercial scuba diving.

Drowning - The process of experiencing respiratory impairment

from submersion/immersion in liquid.

Drowning death - A fatality arising from the process of

respiratory impairment as a result of submersion/immersion

in liquid.

Emergency response - An action taken by an SLS entity

in response to a call for assistance from an emergency

management organisation.

First Aid - Immediate or emergency assistance given on the spot

to people suffering from illness or injury.

Fishing - The act of catching fish.

Foreign ethnicity - Individuals who identify with a cultural group

other than Australian based on heritage, language or shared

customs. This identification is extrapolated from reported

data such as the individuals’ country of birth and the main

language spoken at home.

Hazard - The potential origin of danger, injury or difficulty.

HRS - Helicopter rescue service.

ILS - International Life Saving Federation.

Inland - An area that is beyond the line of mean high water or

beyond a landward distance of five times the width of the

coastal inlet/river mouth.

Inland Drowning Death - A fatality arising from the impairment

of respiratory function as a result of immersion in liquid, where

the location of the drowning is not considered coastal but

occurs in an inland body of water such as a river, lake, creek or

dam.

International - An individual who is confirmed to reside overseas

and/or is a temporary visitor to Australia.

IRB - Inflatable rescue boat.

JRB - Jet rescue boat.

Lake - An inland body of water surrounded by land.

Leisure Activity - An activity commenced on land such as play,

walking, jogging or cycling.

Lifeguard - Typically a paid employee at a beach or another

aquatic environment whose role is to rescue people in danger

of drowning or prevent them getting into that situation.

Lifejacket - A buoyant or inflatable garment or device designed

to keep a person afloat in water and increase their likelihood

of survival.

48

GLOSSARY GLOSSARY

Lifesaving service - A service that exists to provide aquatic

safety services to the public.

Local Government Area (LGA) - Also known as local councils,

LGAs include cities, towns, shires, municipalities or boroughs.

Marina/jetty - A boat basin offering dockage and other service

for small craft, or a pier/wharf.

NCIS - National Coronial Information System.

Ocean drowning death - Where the location of the drowning is

in the ocean further than 2NM offshore, but no further than

12NM.

Open ocean - The seabed, water and air space above the water

between 2NM and 12NM (the Australian territorial waters

limit) offshore.

ORB - Offshore rescue boat.

Other - An uncommon known activity not otherwise listed (e.g.

paragliding, aircraft crash, fall from pier).

Patrol - Surf lifesavers or lifeguards actively supervising a coastal

location.

Patrolled location - A location supervised constantly or

periodically by a lifesaving service.

Prevention - Where intervention by a lifesaving resource averts

a person/s from getting into a potentially life-threatening

situation.

Rescue - Where intervention by a lifesaving resource removes a

person/s from a life-threatening or potentially life-threatening

situation.

Resuscitation - Preservation or restoration of life by establishing

and maintaining a person’s airway, breathing and circulation.

RIB - Rigid-hull inflatable boat.

Rip current - A narrow seaward flowing current of water moving

through a surf zone (Short, 2003).

River - A natural stream of water flowing into an ocean or bay.

Rock/cliff - A rocky shoreline that may or may not have a high

steep face.

Rock/cliff related - An activity besides fishing that is performed

on a rocky shoreline or off a groyne.

Rock-fishing death - A fatality arising from various

circumstances occurring (e.g. wave motion, loss of footing)

where the victim was participating in fishing activities on a

rocky coast immediately prior to or during the incident.

RWC - Rescue water craft - sometimes called a personal water

craft.

Service season and hours - Vary between states due to climatic

factors, but in the context of this report, the season is for the

period July 2014 to June 2015.

Snorkelling - Swimming with a snorkel and face mask.

Support operations - Rapid response rescue units, not affiliated

to any specific surf life saving club.

Surf Life Saving Club - A not-for-profit organisation that provides

coastal safety services.

Surf lifesaver - Typically a volunteer at a beach or another

aquatic environment whose role is to rescue people in danger

of drowning or prevent them getting into that situation.

Surfcom - SLS radio communications centre which assists in

managing the communications of lifesaving operations and

data collection.

Swimming - Being active while immersed in water.

Total Service Plan - An assessment of current and future

lifesaving resources, trends, national blackspots and coastal

safety issues combined with evidenced-based mitigation

strategies to address these issues.

Undetermined - Cases that are not associated with a closed

coroner’s report on NCIS are often left ‘undetermined’

until an official cause of death has been determined. Some

examples are cases where bodies have been found washed

up on the beach, reports of individuals struggling in coastal

environments are made and the bodies are not found/missing

persons reports are not made, or a suspected heart attack in

a coastal environment rather than death due to immersion.

These deaths will all be followed up on and the incident

category updated once coroner determinations are made

accessible.

Wading - A person who is partially immersed in water while

standing.

Watercraft - A piece of non-powered recreational equipment

used in the water. Examples include surfboards, boogie

boards, windsurfers or kayaks.

49


R E F E R E N C E

METHODOLOGY

The 2015 National Coastal Safety Report contains information on

Australian community behaviours and attitudes to the coast; SLS

capability and membership capacity; rescues and emergency

response; and coastal drowning deaths for the period of 1 July 2014

to 30 June 2015. This information is correct as of 9 October 2015.

All care is taken to ensure the statistical information included

within this report is correct. However, pending the outcome

of ongoing coronial investigations and as SLS state/territory

entities update their operational information, this data may

be amended.

Data illustrated in figures may not always add up to 100% due

to rounding.

THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Information about community swimming ability, behaviours

and attitudes to coastal safety was gathered from the National

Coastal Safety Survey. Conducted by Newspoll Market Research,

the survey was run online over the period 9–12 April 2015 among

a national sample of 1,463 respondents aged 16 to 69. The study

was carried out in compliance with ISO 20252 - Market, Social

and Opinion Research. To reflect the population distribution,

results were post-weighted (on age, gender, geographic strata

and education) and projected to Australian Bureau of Statistics

data. The Australian population aged 16 to 69 (the reference

population for this survey) is 16,444,000.

CAPABILITY AND RESCUE ANALYSIS

Data Sources

SurfGuard, the Incident Report database (IRD) and SurfCom

management system (SurfCom) are web-based applications

and are part of a suite of applications that enables members,

clubs, branches, state offices and SLSA to enter and access

SLS operational (including rescues and first aids), capability

(including assets and services), educational and administrative

data. Information was extracted from SurfGuard to identify

how many rescues were performed by volunteers, lifeguards

and support services during 2014–15; and how many active

lifesavers and new award holders there were during 2014–15.

The data was verified by SLS state/territory entities. Information

about assets, services and the number of responses to requests

from emergency services was gathered from each SLS state/

territory entity.

DROWNING DATA ANALYSIS

SLSA collects incident data from SurfGuard, the IRD,

SurfCom, the National Coronial Information System (NCIS)

and by monitoring media reports for drowning incidents.

The information is verified with the assistance of each state/

territory SLS entity and complied for analysis by SLSA’s Coastal

Safety Department. The following variables are used to match

drowning cases from more than one data source: incident date;

location; age; gender; and incident description. The NCIS is

considered the ‘gold standard’ when there is a discrepancy

in the detail collected from different data sources. Deaths are

excluded if they are reported as ‘intentional deaths’, they are

inland/ocean locations drowning, or drowning/immersion is not

a primary cause of death.

DROWNING DATA LIMITATIONS

Over years of investigation as part of the NCIS process, some

cases are amended prior to their closure, resulting in changes

to the classification of cases in our datasets. Therefore, the

number of coastal drowning deaths published in this report

may be different from annual totals previously reported. In

an effort to produce a timely report on our current year’s data

we acknowledge that these figures will change. Each year, the

changes that occur in the previous year’s report will be made

transparent. The data in this current report are not the final

figures as 63% of 2014–15 coastal drowning deaths reported

remain open cases and 13% of cases do not have a cause of

death (COD) listed yet. Once a closure occurs to NCIS cases

we can modify undetermined cases, those with unknown intent,

and those where the cause of death is not drowning.

All deaths known to have occurred in coastal waters have

been included as coastal drowning deaths, unless the COD is

listed as otherwise. Bars of two different colours are used to

illustrate the incidents where a COD has not been listed on NCIS

in Figure 24. The incidents are included in our annual totals and

analysis, and they will remain so until a COD is listed other than

drowning/immersion.

CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS REPORTS

Over years of investigation as part of the NCIS process, some

cases are amended prior to their closure and have resulted in

changes to our data sets. The new numbers of coastal drowning

deaths are different from the annual totals that have been

previously reported as cases have closed.

50

REFERENCE METHODOLOGY

Table 1

CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF COASTAL DROWNING DEATHS PER YEAR AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED

SUGGESTED CITATION

Surf Life Saving Australia (2015) National Coastal Safety Report

2015. SLSA: Sydney.

REFERENCES

• Australian Water Safety Council (2012). Australian Water

Safety Strategy 2012–15. Australian Water Safety Council:

Sydney.

• Bugeja L, Cassell E, Brodie LR, Walter SJ (2014). Effectiveness

of the 2005 Compulsory Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

Wearing Regulations in Reducing Drowning Deaths

among Recreational Boaters in Victoria, Australia. Injury

Prevention. Published Online First: 26 June 2014 doi:10.1136/

injuryprev-2014-041169.

• George, P (2011). Drowning Prevention Strategies 2011. World

Conference on Drowning Prevention. International Life Saving

Federation, Danang, Vietnam.

• International Lifejacket Wear Principles (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.lifejacketwear.com/en/ on 30/10/2015

• New Zealand, Ministry for the Environment (1991). Resource

Management Act 1991. Retrieved from http://www.legislation.

govt.nz/act/public/1991/0069/latest/DLM230265.

html?search=ts_act_Resource+Management+Act_

resel&p=1&sr=1 on 30/10/2015

• Short, AD (2003). Australia Beach Systems—The

morphodynamics of wave through tide-dominated beach-

dune systems. Journal of Coastal Research SI 35, 7–20.

• Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Survey

(2015). Newspoll Online Omnibus April 2015.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Surf Life Saving Australia wishes to thank the following people

and organisations for their contribution to the National Coastal

Safety Report 2015:

• The Australian Government, principally the Department of

Health

• SLSA major national corporate partners, including DHL,

Telstra and Westpac

• Surf Life Saving state centres, branches, clubs and support

operations

• The SLSA Research Advisory Committee

• Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Amy Peden

• The Australian Lifeguard Service

• National Coronial Information System, Leanne Daking

2011 NCSR

2012 NCSR

2013 NCSR

2014 NCSR

2015 NCSR

2004–05 92 89 89 89 89

2005–06 103 95 95 95 95

2006–07 103 98 98 98 98

2007–08 92 89 89 89 89

2008–09 91 89 89 89 89

2009–10 84 83 85 85 85

2010–11 61 70 72 69 69

2011–12 119 115 113 113

2012–13 121 118 118

2013–14 84 83

2014–15 102

CONTACT INFORMATION

Surf Life Saving receives Government funding to commence

valuable initiatives and programs. However, we rely on the

generosity of the community and corporate support to ensure

they continue.

To help Surf Life Saving please donate to:

Surf Life Saving Foundation —slsfoundation.com.au

For more information:

Surf Life Saving Australia—sls.com.au

Surf Life Saving New South Wales—surflifesaving.com.au

Surf Life Saving Northern Territory—lifesavingnt.com.au

Surf Life Saving Queensland—lifesaving.com.au

Surf Life Saving South Australia—surflifesavingsa.com.au

Surf Life Saving Tasmania—slst.asn.au

Life Saving Victoria—lifesavingvictoria.com.au

Surf Life Saving Western Australia—surflifesavingwa.com.au

51

P A G E H E A D I N GP A G E S U B H E A D I N G


COASTALDROWNING

DEATHS

MALE

AT THE BEACH

FEMALE

19

3712

014

182

16% 27 % 9 %RIP

CURRENTS

33%SWIMMING

19%BOATING

13%ROCK

FISHING

9%WATERCRAFT

MEDICALCONDITIONOR INJURY

ALCOHOL/DRUGSAT LEAST 5KM FROM A

LIFESAVING SERVICE

Location

Activity

Contributing Factors

D R O W N I N GS N A P S H O T

national coastal safety report 2015

Documents