Rising drowning toll prompts AUSTSWIM to emphasise importance of educating new swimming teachers

Figures showing that Australia recorded its highest drowning toll in more than 25 years during the year from July 2021 to June 2022 has prompted AUSTSWIM - the national organisation for the teaching of swimming and water safety - to advise how its more than 33,000 licensed teachers currently working back-to-back shifts of the vital role they play in teaching skills for life.

Among a range of concerning findings, the just-released Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2022 shows that during the last year 32 drowning deaths occurred in children aged 0-14 years and 28% of drownings occurring in people over 65 years of age.

Swim schools across the country are operating at capacity and with not enough accredited and licensed teachers, many are being forced to turn away families.

The training, employment and engagement of licensed teachers is critical, resulting in more Australians participating in swimming and water safety lessons which will help reduce the number of preventable drownings and water-related incidents.

Highlighting that the body remains committed to raising awareness around drowning prevention through the teaching of vital swimming and water safety skills, AUSTSWIM Chief Executive, Bradley Low advised “AUSTSWIM licensed teachers are the lifeblood of swimming and water safety programs and have been for the past 43 years.

“Our focus is on educating as many new teachers as we can and developing and retaining current licensed teachers, ensuring that everyone across the country has access to swimming and water safety classes delivered by knowledgeable and experienced swimming and water safety teachers who have been trained to the highest quality standards”.

“AUSTSWIM is proud to support and collaborate with both of Australia’s leading water safety authorities Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia and their State and Territory Associations and acknowledges the fine work these organisations do in protecting and educating Australians”.

National Key Findings - Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2022

• 339 drowning deaths in Australia in 2021/22; this is a 15% increase on last year (295 deaths) and a 24% increase on the 10-year average (274 deaths). 83% of drowning deaths were males

• 17 drowning deaths among children aged 0-4 years; this is a 29% decrease on last year and a 23% decrease on the 10-year average, an improvement after a tragic increase during covid lockdowns

• 15 drowning deaths occurred in children aged 5-14 years, a 7% increase on last year and a 36% increase on the 10-year average, perhaps a reflection of children missing out on swimming lessons

• 94 drowning deaths occurred in people aged over 65 years, 34% increase on last year and a 57% increase on the 10-year average. In total, 28% of drowning occurred in people over 65 years

• 114 drowning deaths occurred in rivers and creeks; 39 were flood-related

• 75% of drowning deaths were not visitors to the location where they drowned, being within 100km of the person’s residence

National Key Findings - Surf Life Saving National Coastal Safety Report 2022

• 141 coastal drowning deaths, the highest number since recording began in 2004.

• 3.6 % increase on last year and a 16% increase on the 10-year average (n=122)

• Highest number of drowning deaths were among people aged 40-44, followed by those aged 34-44 years (20%) and 65-74 years (17%).

• 29% of coastal drowning deaths where while swimming, 18% while boating or personal watercraft (jet skis) and 11% while rock fishing and snorkelling.

• 49% of the coastal drowning deaths occurred more than 5km from a surf lifesaving service

• 33% of coastal drowning deaths were considered locals (within 10km), a further 25% were residents (10-50km), 30% intrastate visitors (greater than 50km) with interstate visitors at 6%. These numbers were potentially influenced by COVID-19 impacts and restrictions on travel

• Males accounted for 89% of all coastal drowning deaths

• Over the past 12 months surf lifesavers conducted 8,667 rescues, and 58,337 first aid supports provided. SLSA provided 1,626,133 preventative actions, across 1,312,891 volunteer patrol hours

Images: Swim lesson (top) and AUSTSWIM Chief Executive, Bradley Low (below). Credit: AUSTSWIM.