Drowning is a sobering reality, especially for young children and the elderly. To help you understand and prevent this tragedy, I’ve gathered some crucial statistics and information that could save lives.
Let’s dive into the facts, some good news, bad news, and practical insights that can keep your family safe.
Which Age Groups Drown Most Often?
0-4 year olds and the elderly drown at higher rates (69%)1 than other age groups.
Sadly, drowning remains the number one reason 1-3 year olds die2 in Australia.
Who Drowns In Pools?
Anyone can drown in a pool. But swimming pools are the most common place 0-4 year olds drown and a common place 5-15 year olds drown1.
Children Tend to Drown In Pools
Where Do People Drown?
People can drown anywhere, from a bathtub to the ocean. But here are some facts about where most people drown.
- Swimming pools are the most common place 0-4 year olds drown and the third most common place 5-15 year olds drown1
- Bathtubs are the second most common place 0-4 year olds drown while lakes/dams and the bathtub are tied as the most common place 5-14 year olds drown1
How Do People Drown?
I’m not talking about the mechanics of breathing in water, but rather about what people were doing when they drowned.
- For most age groups, most drownings happen when people are swimming1
- But for 0–4 year-olds, falling into pools is the most common cause of drowning1
Other ways people have drowned include boating, bathing, attempting to rescue someone else, diving, paddle boarding and other water sports.
Why Do Young Children Drown In Pools?
More young children (0-4 year olds) drown any other age group and they most frequently drown in swimming pools.
But why do so many young children drown? What led to them drowning? Sadly, the sobering reality that the most common reasons are easily preventable.
Research3, 4, 5 shows that
- Young children drown mainly due to a lack of active supervision and a lack of an adequate barrier that prevents access to pools
- 38% of 0-4 year olds who drowned in home pools accessed the pool due to a faulty gate or pool fence
- 26% of young children who drowned in home pools accessed a pool with no pool fence
- 24% of 0-4 year olds who drowned in home pools accessed the pool as the gate was deliberately propped open
Some Good News in Preventing Drowning
Overall, less children have drowned this year (2022/23 financial year) than in 1994/95, with a general downward trend most in-between years. More specifically:
- The drowning rate for 0-4 year-olds has decreased by an encouraging 32% compared to the 10-year average.
- 5-14 year-olds have also seen a 37% reduction in drowning rates compared to the 10-year average.
- Deaths in swimming pools are down by 37% compared to the 10-year average.
- Incredibly, children’s drowning has seen a 59% decrease compared to the 10-year average.
- Additionally, there has been a 45% decrease in children drowning compared to the 10-year average.
If you are a pool owner, do your part to promote pool safety and prevent drowning.
References
1 2022/23 (financial year) figures from the Royal Life Saving Society, National Drowning Report. 2023.
2 10-year average 2012/13 to 2022/23 (financial years) figures from the Royal Life Saving Society, National Drowning Report. 2023.
3 Peden, A., Mahony, A, Trends in Child Drowning Over The Last 25 Years. 2018, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia,: Sydney
4 Lawes, J., Tourism and recreation. In: Clark G, Fischer M, Hunter C, editors. Australia state of the environment 2021: Coasts, independent report to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment: Commonweath of Australia, Canberra; 2021.
5 Peden, A. and A.C. Queiroga, Drowning Deaths in Australian Rivers, Creeks and Streams: A 10 Year Analysis. 2014, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia