Surf Life Saving Australia research explores impacts of alcohol and drug intoxication on coastal deaths

Recent research by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) investigated the impact of alcohol and drugs on unintentional coastal deaths between 1st July 2004 and 30th June 2020 (both drowning and non-drowning related).

Many people know that alcohol and drug use are considered risky behaviours. Alcohol and drugs can have a variety of physiological, psychological, and behavioural impacts leading to increased risk from impaired decision-making skills, and greater levels of risk-taking. Sadly this can also increase the chance of dying on the Australian coast.

Published in the Journal of Safety Research, SLSA found that 23% of coastal drowning deaths and 19% of fatalities involved alcohol and/or drug intoxication. This means that more than 500 people’s lives have been lost on the coast due to alcohol or drugs since July 2004.

Alcohol, benzodiazepine, and amphetamine use while recreating on the coast significantly increased mortality risk. The average BAC of decedents who were intoxicated with alcohol was 0.19 g/100 mL – this is nearly four times the Australian legal limit for driving!

Young adults, people born in Australia, and Indigenous Australians were also identified to be at a higher mortality risk due to alcohol and drug intoxication. Intoxication was found to increase mortality risk significantly for high-risk activities including recreational jumping (almost four times greater), personal watercraft (PWC, i.e. jet skis; almost three times greater) and fall-related deaths (over three times greater).

Alcohol and drugs are known to be significant risk factors leading to injury or death. This research presents the first comprehensive investigation into the impacts of alcohol and drug intoxication on coastal deaths. It explored common causal factors within coastal deaths, including risk-taking behaviours and the different risks associated with coastal activities or cultures.

High-risk target demographic groups were identified and will allow for practical applications of this research to inform future tailored intervention strategies around alcohol and drug usage in coastal environments, particularly for young Australians.

SLSA note “it is crucial that we know the increased risk we put ourselves, and others, in when we get intoxicated with alcohol and drugs on the coast so we can try to keep ourselves and our friends safe.”

In February this year, Adelaide-based Coopers Brewery became the official beer sponsor of World Surf League Australia under a new three-year deal.

This was questioned by Australasian Leisure Management Publisher Nigel Benton in an article Is beer and surfing the right mix? 

To read the SLSA research paper in the Journal of Safety Research go to Strasiotto L, Ellis A, Daw S, Lawes JC. (2022) The role of alcohol and drug intoxication in fatal drowning and other deaths that occur on the Australian coast. Journal of Safety Research.

To understand more about coastal safety, how to keep yourself safe and to find your nearest patrolled beach, visit www.beachsafe.org.au 

For all the latest coastal safety information – click here for the National Coastal Safety Report 2021.