Holiday Drowning Toll Again Hits 10

5 January 2008
Media Release
For immediate release

Holiday Drowning Toll Again Hits 10

The Christmas and New Year holiday period has resulted in ten drowning deaths in New Zealand. This is the same number of fatalities as the holiday period last year.

Statistics released today by Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) for the holiday period show that there were eight recreational drowning deaths and two non recreational.

The average drowning toll for the holiday period (last five years) is seven drowning deaths.

The following summarise the 2008/09 holiday period drowning fatalities:

Environment: • 3 Beaches
• 2 Lake
• 2 River
• 1 0-1 km off shore
• 1 Pond
• 1 Tidal Waters

Activity: • 4 Swimming
• 2 Accidental Immersion
• 2 Powered Boat
• 2 Snorkelling

Age: • 1 0-4 years
• 0 5-14 years
• 3 15-24 years
• 2 25-34 years
• 0 35-44 years
• 2 45-54 years
• 1 55-64 years
• 1 65+ years

Ethnicity: • 3 European
• 3 Maori
• 2 Asian
• 2 Pacific Peoples

Gender: • 9 Male
• 1 Female

Region: • 4 Auckland
• 2 Canterbury
• 1 Bay of Plenty
• 1 Gisborne
• 1 Otago
• 1 Waikato

WSNZ General Manager, Matt Claridge comments; “holiday time lends itself to a dramatic increase in aquatic activity and with that is a sharp rise in drowning numbers. Regrettably, these holidays have provided for 10 deaths that didn’t need to occur. We are fortunate that there weren’t a great many more drowning deaths, as the reported rescue incidents and near misses suggest a real lack of planning and attention to some basic safety requirements.”

“Complacency is too often a factor for New Zealanders around the water. No New Zealander can, or should, take for granted access to the water in what ever form of activity. There is no point being in, on or around the water if you don’t have the skills and knowledge to be there. It is not reasonable to rely on lifeguards or other rescue services when precautions and safety measures could negate such a need.”

Claridge continues, “Year after year the spectacle of a rescue at sea, the beach or the pool overshadows the fundamentals of enjoying the water safely. More often than not a drowning or rescue would not have resulted if basic preparations were carried out.”

Claridge concludes, “The next two-three weeks extend the drowning season in New Zealand until school commences again. 40% of all drowning deaths occur in the summer months and by their nature, these incidents are invariably recreation based. Water Safety New Zealand makes a further reminder to be prepared when venturing to the water, along with reminding parents to ensure small children are well supervised at all times.”

ENDS

See attached:
1. Holiday Drowning Statistics

Holiday Drowning Statistics

Drowning statistics for the Christmas/New Year holiday period 1979/1980 to 2008/2009

Year Number of Drownings
1979 / 1980 4
1980 / 1981 8
1981 / 1982 14
1982 / 1983 15
1983 / 1984 8
1984 / 1985 21
1985 / 1986 16
1986 / 1987 7
1987 / 1988 4
1988 / 1989 10
1989 / 1990 9
1990 / 1991 14
1991 / 1992 9
1992 / 1993 8
1993 / 1994 9
1994 / 1995 8
1995 / 1996 10
1996 / 1997 11
1997 / 1998 16
1998 / 1999 13
1999 / 2000 12
2000 / 2001 8
2001 / 2002 13
2002 / 2003 5
2003 / 2004 11
2004 / 2005 8
2005 / 2006 3
2006 / 2007 3
2007 / 2008 10
2008 / 2009 10

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) gives no warranty as to the correctness of the information or the data provided as it is supplied to
WSNZ by third parties not under its control. While WSNZ is satisfied as to its accuracy for the purposes for which it is supplied to it,
WSNZ shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of any data supplied. All reported statistics are
provisional. All DrownBase™ statistics are reported as death by drowning.

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