Drowning deaths rise over ‘deadliest week’ of the Christmas holidays

Despite warning about the dangers of open water through the peak holiday period, the summer has brought a rise in drowning deaths.

Royal Life Saving Society - Australia has reported 18 fatal drownings since 1st December - a rate 20% higher than the five-year average, according to Royal Life Saving Australia data.

Authorities across the country are reporting drownings on beaches and open water, prompting Royal Life to reissue its warning for people to be careful around water.

With one in four drowning deaths are known to happen between Christmas Day and the New Year, Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr stated “the festive season is a time for relaxing, social gatherings and celebrations, but we know this is the riskiest time to be around water.

“So it’s also when we need to stay most vigilant around water.”

“The dangers are heightened when people travel, visit unfamiliar locations, or celebrate near water, and the risk is highest on public holidays, particularly Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which consistently record the highest drowning rates.”

Royal Life Saving research also shows a number of trends associated with drownings during the holiday period.

• Drowning deaths occur across all water environments, including beaches, rivers, lakes, and backyard pools.

• The first day of a trip is often the most hazardous, as people are unfamiliar with their surroundings.

• 33% of drowning deaths last year involved incidents where more than one person drowned.

• 39% of people who drowned over the holiday period were migrants.

• 41% of deaths were people who had travelled 50 kilometres or more from home to where they drowned, suggesting unfamiliarity with water conditions as a major factor.

• 25% of drowning deaths during this period involved alcohol.

Between 1st July 2023 and 30th June this year, Royal Life Saving reported that 323 drownings had occurred nationwide, which represented a 16% increase on the 10-year average of 278 deaths.

Since 1st December, 18 people have died from drowning, compared to 14 fatalities recorded during the same period last year. Royal Life Saving Society - Australia data as at 22nd December. Credit: Royal Life Saving.

More than eight in 10 of the deaths recorded in the last financial year involved men, while 40% of fatalities were adults aged 55 and over, and 83 of the incidents involved people who drowned in Australia but were born overseas.

The latest National Drowning Report annual report also revealed that while 26% of drowning deaths in the 2023/24 financial year happened at beaches, one in five fatalities happened at rivers and creeks.

Dr Scarr went on to stated “afternoon hours are especially dangerous, as people gather near pools, rivers, beaches, and lakes, so this Christmas, we’re urging everyone to take simple but vital precautions around water.

“Don’t overestimate your swimming abilities, supervise children, avoid alcohol around water, check the weather forecast and be prepared to change your plans and always wear a life jacket when boating or fishing.”

Main image: Shutterstock.