Released earlier this month to mark the beginning of summer, the 2008 National Coastal Safety Report, supported by Westpac has revealed some alarming trends relating to coastal drowning deaths.

For a full copy of the report please click here.

For a copy of the summary please click here.

To view the Westpac Surf Safety DVD click here.

As we enter what is typically the busiest and most dangerous time on Australian beaches, the findings serve as a strong reminder to all Australians of the need to be surf safe and to swim between the flags at all times.

Produced by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and supported by major partner, Westpac, the annual report revealed that 88 lives were lost along the Australian coast during 2007-2008 due to a drowning death.

This is a seven percent increase on the previous season and higher than the five year average.

Another concerning trend to come out of the report is the overrepresentation of males in coastal drowning deaths, with males representing an alarming nine out of ten fatalities (89 percent).

While males typically dominate coastal drowning figures, last season has seen a notable increase from 69 to 78 deaths. According to Andrew Bedford, Surf Lifesaver of the Year, this could be attributed to men taking more risks in the surf and having a tendency to overrate their swimming ability.

Exposing a new risk group, the report has found that for the first time in recent years, the 20-29 year old age bracket had the highest representation, at almost a quarter of all coastal drowning incidents (24 percent).

“Both of these trends demonstrate only too well that age and strength are no protection in the surf. All beachgoers need to be aware of surf safety and swim between the flags this summer to prevent more lives being lost,” Andrew Bedford said.

An overwhelming majority of rescue and preventative actions last season arose from swimming at ocean beaches. Almost six in ten (58 percent) coastal drowning deaths where the person was swimming or wading involved rips. When combining rescue and preventative actions, this figure increases to almost nine in ten (89 percent), reinforcing that the safest place to swim is between the flags.

The National Coastal Safety Report was launched simultaneously with the announcement of the Westpac Surf Safety Campaign – a community awareness initiative designed to educate Australians on the importance of surf safety, with a strong focus on rips.

The campaign is being spearheaded by Olympic champion, Grant Hackett, who said, “As a former volunteer surf lifesaver, I understand the importance of surf safety education and am proud to be part of an initiative that is helping to save Australian lives in the surf.”

The Westpac Surf Safety Campaign will launch tomorrow, on the first day of summer and will include a Surf Safety DVD hosted by Grant, to be screened in Westpac branches nationally.

To view the Surf Safety DVD click here.

In addition, a wallet sized surf safety reminder card, which includes instructions for resuscitation and how to spot a rip will be available free of charge from Westpac branches.

Surf safety messages will be printed on Westpac statement envelopes, ATM receipts and feature across various other materials within the branch environment.

The Westpac Surf Safety Campaign complements a thirty five year partnership between Westpac and Surf Life Saving Australia and supports Westpac’s ongoing commitment to help save Australian lives.

“Rips continue to pose one of the greatest risks on Australian beaches. People are aware of the dangers of rips, but cannot necessarily identify them or know how to get out of them. The surf safety reminder cards demonstrate how to spot a rip and are free to members of the public from Westpac branches nationally,” Andrew Bedford explained.

“We have the best beaches and coastlines in the world and they are there to be enjoyed. To ensure you don’t become a surf rescue statistic, remember to swim between the flags and talk to your local volunteer surf lifesaver or lifeguard. If you can’t do this pop into a Westpac branch or visit www.westpac.com.au/surfsafetyfor more surf safety information,” Grant Hackett added.

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS OF THE 2008 NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT, SUPPORTED BY WESTPAC:

The most fatal hour of the day was between midday and 1pm, with 10 percent of coastal drowning deaths occurring during this time. This is a slight difference from previous years, where the mid afternoon was the peak period.

Not surprisingly, Saturday was the most dangerous day of the week, contributing to a quarter of all coastal drowning incidents.

The report reveals the significant role that volunteer surf lifesavers and paid lifeguards play on our beaches, with 13,600 rescues and 440,000 preventative actions undertaken by SLSA services during 2007-2008.

Over half (59 percent) of all coastal drowning deaths occurred more than one kilometre away from a SLSA service.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:
Sean O'Connell
Surf Life Saving Australia
0407 286 619

ABOUT THE REPORT

The 2008 National Coastal Safety Report, supported by Westpac, was produced by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). Surf Life Saving records coastal deaths and coastal drowning deaths in its own central database (SurfGuard), in instances where surf lifesavers, Australian Lifeguard Service employees or SLSA support operations were involved.

This data is cross-referenced with media monitoring reports and a detailed search of the National Coroners Information System (NCIS).

The data described in the 2008 National Coastal Safety Report, supported by Westpac is correct as at 1 November 2008, however the detailed data may change further, pending the outcome of ongoing coronial investigations.