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Injury Prevention
Drowning, near drowning and water safetyNSW Health Survey and water safety The 1997 and 1998 NSW Health Surveys addressed a range of issues relevant to injury prevention. In 1997, questions were asked regarding private or communal swimming pools and resuscitation training.
This report describes the patterns of occurrence of drowning in Australia and near drowning in NSW over the period 1992 to 1998. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics national death record collection and the NSW hospital in-patient record was used. The analysis looked primarily at the frequency of the event, age and gender-specific rates and age-adjusted death and hospitalisation rates. The analysis focussed on changes over the period of study, age and gender related outcomes, occupation, the influence of activity at the time, the location of the event, the time of day and year, and the involvement of drugs and alcohol. Recommendations are made for further activities and research. The report identified that there were 1,999 drownings identified during 1992 to 1998 in Australia, giving an overall age-adjusted fatality rate of 1.6 per 100,000 persons (Table 1). Table 1 The number and rate[1] of drownings by gender for each state and territory, 1992-1998
[1] Age-adjusted fatality rate per 100,000 persons. In NSW, near drownings resulted in the hospitalisation of more than 1,637 residents between 1992 and 1998. The near drowning fatality rate in NSW in 1998 was 4.1 per 100,000 persons (Figure 1).
Figure 1 The rate of near drowning hospitalisations in NSW, 1992-1998
Source: IRMRC. (2000) Analysis of drowning in Australia and pilot analysis of near-drowning in New South Wales. IRMRC: University of NSW.
Copies of the report can be obtained from the Australian Water Safety Council telephone (02) 9181 5444 or email: info@rlssa.org.au
NSW Water Safety Taskforce Currently, NSW averages 87 drownings each year[1]. Death by drowning is not limited to any particular social group, age, gender or nationality. Research shows that drowning represents the sixth most common accidental cause of death in NSW[2]. As drowning and near-drowning accidental are considered to be largely preventable, they are a major safety concern for the community. The Minister for Sport and Recreation has established the NSW Water Safety Taskforce in recognition of the importance of water safety and the need for a coordinated approach to water safety in NSW. The NSW Water Safety Taskforce developed the NSW Water Safety Framework 2001-2003 to provide strategic advice to the government on water safety related matters. The overall goals of the Framework are to:
Three key priority areas have been identified in the Framework – Education, Standards, and Evidence – accompanied by seven objectives and 19 strategic directions. A lead agency has been determined for each strategic direction. The Department of Sport and Recreation has the lead role for Education, the Waterways Authority for Standards, and NSW Health has the lead agency role for Evidence. The NSW Water Safety Framework 2001-2003 can be obtained from the Department of Sport and Recreation: www.safewaters.nsw.gov.au
SafeWaters - a NSW state government iniative The SafeWaters televised public awareness campaign has been shown in NSW during the summer months since 1998/1999. The SafeWaters public awareness campaign aims to raise water safety awareness on:
The objectives of the SafeWaters campaign are to communicate:
You can view the commercial and listen
to the learn to swim community service announcement (featuring Anthony
Field and Captain Feathersword from the Wiggles). For further information on water safety in NSW see the SafeWaters website at http://www.safewaters.nsw.gov.au/
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