2008 Drowning Report

14 January 2009

Media Release

For immediate release

2008 Drowning Report

There were a total of 96 drowning deaths in New Zealand in 2008. Water
Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has today officially announced the annual
drowning toll. It follows one of the highest holiday period drowning tolls
in recent time.

2008 is the second lowest annual toll since records began in 1980. In
comparison to 10 years ago, there were 148 drowning deaths in 1998.

All drowning incidents in New Zealand are captured by DrownBase(tm),
WSNZ manages DrownBaseTM recognised internationally as the leader in
integrated drowning databases.

The average annual drowning toll for the five year period (2003 - 2007) is
114.

The 2008 toll equates to 2.4 drowning deaths per capita (100,000).
Drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand,
behind road vehicle crashes and falls. Even with a reduction in 2008, New
Zealand's drowning toll is still twice that of Australia on a per capita
basis.

There were 60 Recreational related drowning deaths in 2008, 63% of the
total toll. On average (2003 - 2007) there are 52 Recreational drowning
deaths per annum at 46% of the total toll. This is an increase of 17%
over the five year (2003 - 2007) average.

There were 29 (30%) Non-Recreational drowning deaths in 2008.
Non-Recreational drowning incidents are when the victim had no intention
of being in the water for recreational purposes.

In addition, there were seven (7%) Other drowning deaths from activities
such as Road Vehicle and Suicide. The five year average (2003 - 2007) is
29 (26%). Other drowning deaths include Other Commercial, Road Vehicle
and Suicide. These drowning incidents typically cannot be influenced by
water safety education.

When Other drownings are excluded from analysis, the remaining toll
equals 89 drowning deaths. In effect the drowning toll for 2008 has
increased, as the five year average (2003 - 2007) is 84 drowning deaths
per annum for total Recreational and Non-Recreational incidents.

WSNZ General Manager, Matt Claridge says "on the face of things there is a
reduction in total drownings, but once we look at the actual number of
drownings that can be influenced by water safety education, then the toll
has increased. The large numbers of recreational drownings indicate New
Zealanders have a lack of ability and knowledge to enjoy the water safely.
Recreational drowning incidents are preventable."

"The 2008 toll supports recent analysis by WSNZ that indicates the
drowning toll will rise back to the horrific levels of the 1980's.
Unless New Zealand children learn to swim whilst at school, generation
after generation will continually be exposed to a higher risk of drowning.
As we know, aquatic activity is diverse and evolving constantly. We also
know that 25% of children are unable to get across 25m or manage to keep
afloat and tread water. Not enough to suggest they have the skills to
save themselves."

Claridge concludes "Swim and survival skills are the first step to
preventing drowning. Parents need to understand the importance of
children learning to swim, but it shouldn't be a cost based issue. All
New Zealand children should learn to swim whilst at school. To achieve
this, children must be able to access a pool, school teachers must be
trained to teach swim and survival skills and the curriculum must
recognise the ability to swim as an outcome."

"It would be unfortunate if New Zealanders continue to drown as
generation after generation is lost, due to the lack of real emphasis on
development of swim and survival skills."

..Ends...

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