Six Month Drowning Report

Six Month Drowning Report

For the six month period of 1 January to 30 June 2009 there have been 51 drowning deaths in New Zealand according to statistics Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has released today.

At the same time last year there had been 56 fatal drownings. The five year average (2004 – 2008) for the same period is 59 drowning deaths.

WSNZ General Manager Matt Claridge comments: “a reduction in drowning deaths is always pleasing. Winter has not produced what we would consider ‘normal’ numbers of drowning deaths, which is encouraging given the nature of fatal incidents through the early part of 2009.”

Regional
The regions with the highest drowning toll on a per capita basis (100,000 of population) are:
1. Northland
2. Southland
3. Otago

Increases were most notable in the Northland and Otago regions when compared to the five year average. Additionally, decreases were evident in Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and West Coast regions.

Activity
Recreational drowning deaths contribute to 63% (32) of the year to date toll. This is compared to the five year average (2004 – 2008) of 51% (30). This increasing trend is contributed to by an increase in Underwater deaths with seven compared to the five year average (2004 – 2008) of three and Powered Boat related deaths with six compared to the five year average (2004 – 2008) of four.

Claridge continues: “the main reason the total drowning toll is down is because less people are drowning as a result of road vehicle incidents. Water safety education doesn’t traditionally target those incidents, nor should it. It is becoming increasingly evident that activities like swimming, boating and fishing are popular recreational pursuits and the costs to accessing or becoming involved are relatively minimal. This places a greater emphasis on education and the importance of it.”

Environment
Offshore and Beaches are the most represented Environment’s for drowning incidents. There have been 13 Offshore drowning deaths this year, in comparison to the five year average (2004 – 2008) of eight. Typically Scuba Diving and Boating incidents contribute to Offshore incidents. Beaches contributed to 13 deaths, down on the five year average (2004 – 2008) of 15.

The lowest number of drowning deaths occurred in Rivers (seven) since records began in 1980.

Claridge states: “normally by this time of year over a third of all drownings occurred in rivers. It is staggering to note that only 14% of the deaths for the year to date are river related.”

Ethnicity
47% of all drowning victims this year are New Zealand European, lower than the five year average of 56%. Maori contribute 25% of all drowning victims this year, consistent with the five year average. Eight Pacific people have drowned this year at 16% of the total drowning toll. The average for the last five years for Pacific People is 8%.

Age
The greatest increase in drowning deaths occurred in the 45-54 year age group with 15 (29%) for the year to date compared with the five year average of nine (15%). The most notable age related decrease is evident in the 15–24 year age group with four (8%) recorded deaths compared to the five year average of 12 (20%).

Gender
41 (80%) of all drowning victims this year have been male. The five year average is 43 (73%).

Claridge concludes: “the drowning issue in New Zealand is generally considered to be a seasonal topic. The message for New Zealanders is that preparation and planning for aquatic activities needs to occur well in advance of participation. This includes attending boating education courses, developing swim and survival skills, ensuring all equipment, including safety gear are in working order and maintained. Water safety is an issue for 12 months of the year, hopefully New Zealanders understand the relevance of being prepared, so they can enjoy the abundance of aquatic activities available to them in our country.”

ENDS

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