So Winter has turned to a warmer than usual Spring and a hotter than normal Summer is expected.
Here on the NSW North Coast it means that the number of people - locals and visitors - on the beaches and in the surf or swimming in quieter waters of river mouths and estuaries, is likely to be high this year.
However, it does well to remember that Australian Summer drowning deaths for 2022/23 were the highest for the last 3 years and we all need to take care that we don't become part of those statistics in 2023/24
In the three months between 1 December 2022 and 28 February 2023, 50 per cent of all drowning deaths that occurred across Australia were in coastal waterways (beaches, oceans, harbours and rocks) and 55 per cent of all drowning deaths occurred on weekends and public holidays.
The majority of drowning deaths from all causes in that three months were people aged between 0 to 64 years of age, with the average age for drowning deaths during the heatwave period being est. 52 years.
And it seems in New South Wales we need to take notice of every water safety rule we were ever taught.
A worrying 40 per cent of all drowning happened in New South Wales as well as 31 per cent of all drowning deaths over the 9 day Christmas-New Year period 25 Dec 2022-2 Jan 2023.
A total of 55 coastal drowning deaths occurred in the state, with 45 per cent at the beach and 13 per cent off shore.
The Echo, 4 October 2023:
With the Surf Life Saving (SLSC) NSW season now underway (September 23, 2023 – April 25, 2024), the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club are urging the community to be safety aware on beaches and waterways.
And both the Byron and Bruns Surf Lifesaving clubs are appealing for recruits to help make the beaches safe this summer.
‘Choosing a patrolled beach and swimming between the flags is the safest way to enjoy the ocean, and can save a life’, says Byron Club President, Paul Pattison. ‘Don’t forget to raise your hand if you’re in difficulty, so you can be seen.’
High drowning stats
‘In summer of 2022/23, there were 54 coastal drowning deaths, all of which occurred at unpatrolled locations. This equates to six drowning deaths every ten days of summer.
‘Byron Shire has recorded one of the highest numbers of coastal drowning deaths since 2013–23, and is now considered a blackspot (an area with a high probability/risk of ongoing reoccurrence).
‘Our coastline is a popular destination for tourists, and it’s essential to improve community awareness of our patrolled beaches.
‘We are hoping to recruit a further 20 patrol members to keep our beaches safe this summer. Members of the community who are interested in, or have previously held their bronze medallion are being encouraged to connect with their local surf club’, Pattison said.
To get involved, visit byronbaysurfclub.org and www.brunswickslsc.org.
BACKGROUND
ROYAL LIFE SAVING SUMMER DROWNING REPORT 2022/23
Every day one person died from drowning across summer, with a surge of deaths during the heat wave in February and a tragic Christmas – New Year holiday week pushing numbers up, the Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll has revealed.
Last year flood-related drowning deaths caused a spike in deaths in February, but this year’s February death toll was even higher – with 31 deaths – despite there not being large-scale flooding in urban areas in 2023.
In total, 90 people lost their lives in Australian waterways and swimming pools between 1 December 2022 and 28 February 2023.
Tragically, 10 per cent of all drowning deaths this year were rescues gone wrong.
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Chief Executive Officer Justin Scarr said the trends this year were deeply concerning.
“Last year was the worst year on record for summer drowning and we had hoped there would be a significant drop given there was fewer intense flood events this year, but drowning numbers are still too high,” Mr Scarr said.
“It’s supposed to be the happiest time of year, but between Christmas Day and January 2, when people gathered together across Australia 22 people drowned. That’s 22 families, friends and communities whose summer became a period of mourning.
“The heatwave in February also caused a spike in drowning, with 17 per cent of all drowning deaths over summer attributable to that six-day period.
“So many communities were affected by drowning this year, with significant increases in drowning in all states except for Queensland and Tasmania.
“Royal Life Saving continues to promote the need for local drowning prevention and water safety plans, targeting known drowning blackspots.
“We know that this is the tip of the iceberg. Many more non-fatal drowning incidents are likely to have occurred that aren’t recorded in publicly accessible data and so remain invisible.
“We need to get more people in our community getting back into their local pools brushing up on their skills, doing their Bronze Medallion if they’re planning to be at unpatrolled locations including rivers and lakes, and getting their children into learn to swim classes.”
For a full breakdown of NSW drownings in 2022, see:
