Play it safe by the water

DANGER ZONE FOR DROWNINGS...The Goulburn Murray river, the site of summer recreation for many Shepparton residents. Photo: Kaetlyn Morse

LIFE Saving Victoria’s annual Victorian Drowning Report, released on Monday, points to a continuation of worrying fatal and non-fatal drowning statistics for the Shepparton region.

The report outlined that the likelihood of one or more drowning deaths occurring in the Shepparton region in any given year rose to 75 percent over the last 10 years, with 14 drowning deaths recorded in the region during this period.

As well as the drowning deaths, there were 40 Shepparton residents hospitalised due to non-fatal drowning and 38 Emergency Department presentations of Shepparton residents for non-fatal drowning.

Males were shown to be seven times more likely to drown than females, with rivers, creeks, streams, dams, lakes, bathtubs and spa baths the main drowning locations in the region’s statistics.

Walking, recreating near water, bathing and boating were the main activities undertaken prior to drownings in the Shepparton region.
The statistics have prompted Life Saving Victoria to urge residents to take extra care around water this summer, as concerns have grown that a number of trends in the latest drowning figures could be exacerbated by a lack of preparedness for water activities over the warmer months.

“Every drowning death is one too many, and, unfortunately, this year’s statistics paint a picture that suggests people aren’t adequately preparing themselves for a day out on or around the water or may be underestimating the risks,” Life Saving Victoria’s Principal Research Associate, Dr Bernadette Matthews, said.

“Males continue to be overrepresented in the drowning statistics and are four times more likely to drown than females, with men aged 25-44 years making up more than a quarter of all drowning deaths for the 2019-20 year.”

All Victorians are urged to take advantage of Life Saving Victoria’s recently launched, online virtual reality resource that invites viewers to explore at-risk aquatic environments while learning about key water safety messages. Visit Life Saving Victoria’s website at www.lsv.com.au.