Unanticipated Drowning Spikes
Drowning patterns in Australia are generally predictable, with spikes in the number of fatal and non-fatal drownings over the summer holiday months (December, January) and then a decline as we head into autumn.
So what went wrong this year?
From late February into March drowning deaths stayed high right across the country with a spate of coastal drowning deaths in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.
While we don’t yet have coronial data on confirmed drowning cases for this period – all causes of death need to be verified before data is uploaded to the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) for research - the sheer number of media reports across this period suggests there has been an unusually high number of drowning deaths from late February into March 2024. Typically, the number of drowning deaths reported by the media is significantly fewer than actually occur once the NCIS data are available.
There are three things about these recent drowning deaths which may begin to explain why we’re seeing an uptick in drowning.
It was hot
The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that February 2024 was the hottest February on record globally. A heatwave earlier in March had temperatures in South Australia and Victoria up to 20 degrees above average. Hobart recorded its hottest night in 112 years. The cure for all that sweating? Getting into the water for a cool dip.
Our research has demonstrated there is a link between heatwaves and fatal drowning in Australia, with excess drowning deaths recorded during heatwaves. We know that the week from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day records the highest number of drowning deaths across the year as people make use of the holidays and seek refuge from the hot summer days in the water.
Unpatrolled locations
What’s even more attractive than a cool dip on a sweltering day? Escaping the throngs of people with the same idea. Often that means visiting an unpatrolled location. The National Drowning Report 2023 showed most rip current deaths were at unpatrolled locations in 2022/2023. While surfers will often come to the rescue if they are in the water, that is dependent on them being present and aware someone is in difficulty. There have been calls from family members for improved signage at unpatrolled locations to alert people of the risks.
The other attraction of unpatrolled locations is the great selfie backdrops they make. With fewer people on the beach or in the water, getting that perfect shot away from the maddening crowds is easier and the backdrop is often spectacular. This is a growing problem for land managers. Drowning is the second most common cause of death in selfie-related fatalities. To help reduce the risk, the popular Figure Eight Pool in the Royal National Park has a wave risk forecast tool.
Bystander rescues
Sadly, the spate of fatal drownings over this period includes the deaths of rescuers. Bystander rescuers are member of the public who can be family, friends or strangers who see someone in trouble and dive in to help. We know most bystander rescues where there is a fatal drowning occur at beaches, more than 1 km from the nearest lifesaving service. Many of those performing bystander rescues do not have water safety skills.
What can we do?
While we won’t know how many excess deaths may have occurred in autumn until later in the year, it is a timely reminder to take some precautions to protect you and your loved ones when you’re in the water.
Over the winter months is the ideal time to brush up on your CPR and first aid or enrol in swimming lessons so you’re building the skills you need to enjoy the coast safely next summer.
