New Zealand records one drowning every three days through summer

31 people drowned in New Zealand during last summer - around one drowning every three days.

The majority of drownings during the official summer period (1st December to 28th February) occurred while the victims were swimming (11 deaths) - a rise from from seven swimming related drownings in the 2011/12 summer.

12 drownings occurred at beaches - double the number from the previous summer while, encouragingly the number of drownings at rivers, traditionally rivers New Zealand's biggest drowning spots, is half the five-year average at six deaths.

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) Chief Executive Matt Claridge says while the number of deaths this summer is down ten from the five-year summer average of 41 and less than last year's 40, the numbers are still alarmingly high.

Claridge explains "it's promising that we're seeing a downward trend but the number of drownings still occurring in this country is disproportionately high. The number of drowning deaths in New Zealand this summer is still around 30% more than Australia's summer season toll on a per capita basis."

Claridge says the high number of swimming and beach related drownings could be a direct result of the season's great weather meaning more people entered the water, but it also shows people aren't remembering the water safety basics.

He adds "know your limits, swim between the flags, don't drink alcohol if you're planning on swimming and keep young children within arms reach.

"Remembering these things will go a long way towards keeping yourself safe."

Claridge says WSNZ will continue to work with the sector to get kiwi kidsin the water and learning to swim and to educate New Zealanders about the importance of understanding the water safety basics, continuing "initiatives such as Sealord Swim for Life - which has so far helped around 135,000 New Zealand kids learn how to swim- and ActivePost's Kia Maanu, Kia Ora Maori water safety education campaign,have never been more important.

"We know that these initiatives are having a positive impact on communities and changing the way New Zealanders behave around water, and our focus is growing these and other programmes to reach more of our high-risk communities."

Claridge says that males made up 81% of the total summer drownings with the vast majority of those that drowned in either the 15-24 or 45-54 age groups.

Here he explains "men are consistently the ones that are drowning in New Zealand, men in boats, men swimming or men fishing. There needs to be an attitudinal change in the way New Zealand men are behaving in and around the water and driving this change is a big focus for us."

One pre-schooler drowned this summer, down on the five-year summer average of three.

Another priority area is reducing our annual pre-school drowning toll to zero, says Claridge, stating "pre-school children should be within arm's reach and sight of an adult at all times."

As of the end of March there have been 28 drownings in New Zealand waters this year, compared to the same time last year when the drowning toll was at 37.

Claridge concludes "the water safety sector is doing everything we can to solve the problem we have with drowning in this country but we can't do it alone. We need all New Zealanders to make water safety a priority today."

WSNZ has also appointed two new staff.

Christine Lim joins WSNZ as the Senior Accounts Officer after working with the Inland Revenue Department as an Internal Auditor. Christine is vastly experienced holding a bachelor of commerce degree along with being a Chartered Accountant.

WSNZ also welcomes Esther Hone-Moore as she joins the team as AUSTSWIM programme Co-ordinator. AUSTSWIM NZ offers Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety and Teacher of Infant and Pre-school courses across the country.

For more information go to www.watersafety.org.nz/

12th August 2011 - NEW ZEALAND DROWNING DEATHS CONTINUE TO CAUSE CONCERN

18th March 2011 - KIWI DROWNING TOLL RISES BY 46%