By Surf Life Saving Australia
NATIONAL COASTAL SAFETY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS RECORD LIVES SAVED BY VOLUNTEER SURF LIFESAVERS
Surf Life Saving Australia today released the 2024 National Coastal Safety Report with the new research revealing over the past 12 months there were more than 16 million coastal visitations, 258 coastal deaths, 150 due to drowning (58%) and over 1,600 lives saved.
The report highlights that the coastal drowning burden would have been over 1,684 and a further 1,010 critical injuries could have occurred if it wasn’t for the dedication of volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards across the country who performed a record 2.4 million preventative actions.
As more than 45,000 volunteers gear up to patrol Australia’s beaches again this season, the National Coastal Safety Report reveals that 8,857 rescues were performed across the country’s coastline in the last 12 months, as well as more than 2.4 million preventative actions by surf lifesavers and lifeguards to keep beachgoers safe. This was an increase of 29% from last season.
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Adam Weir said surf lifesavers are committed to keeping people safe at the beach but urged all Australians to make surf safety a personal priority.
“We are deeply saddened by the drowning numbers this past year, each one was preventable and one death is one too many,” said Weir. “The numbers are alarming and we encourage everyone to take notice.
“I am however incredibly proud of the work of our volunteer surf lifesavers across the country who performed a record number of preventative actions which has ensured this drowning number was not significantly higher. Never before have our surf lifesavers been asked to do so much. Our research shows that our efforts represent a $9.5 billion dollar value to the community.
“As the Australian population continues to grow, more and more people are visiting the coast and swimming away from Surf Life Saving services remains a major risk. Drowning incidents along our beaches are extending beyond the traditional holiday periods with summer extending well into March with drowning incidents 64% above average.
“We want to ensure everyone can enjoy our coastline safely and return home to loved ones,” added Weir. “Our message remains simple: swim at patrolled locations, know your limits and be aware of your actions and decisions around the water”.
The National Coastal Safety Report 2024 insights include:
Males were 6.5 times more likely to drown than females, accounting for 86% of the coastal drowning burden
Swimming and wading drowning deaths increased by 49% from the 10-year average.
Beaches were the leading drowning location with 1 in 3 beach drowning deaths due to rip currents, which remain the number one coastal hazard
Coastal drowning deaths were 64% higher in February and March, and 24% above average in Winter.
16.6 million Australians visited the coast in the last 12 months
8,857 rescues and 2.4 million preventative actions were performed across the Australian coastline in the past 12 months
SOUTH AUSTRALIA LIFESAVING, COASTAL DROWNING & FATALITY STATISTICS 2023/24
No. of patrolling members – 2,641
No. of rescues - 86
No. of preventative actions - 11,923
No. of first aid treatments – 550
Volunteer patrol hours – 71,288
Value to community – $58+ million
No. of coastal deaths – 15, 9 due to drowning (60%)
No. of coastal drowning deaths – 9, a 50% increase from last year (n = 6), and a 8% increase from the 10-year average (n = 8)
High drowning risk groups - 30-39 (22%), 70-79 (56%) year olds, 100% males
Where drownings occurred – 56% at beaches, 33% offshore, 78% >1km from Surf Life Saving services
When drowning deaths occurred – 56% occurred in autumn, 22% winter
Coastal drowning deaths occurred mostly while boating (33%), followed equally by land-based fishing, attempting a rescue and swimming/wading (11% each)