Preventable drownings plummet
Deaths in sea, rivers and pools down 26% in past year: Water Safety NZ
The number of preventable drownings has dropped sharply in the past year.
There were 68 in 2018, compared with 92 in 2017, according to data published by Water Safety New Zealand. It is a reduction of 26 per cent.
The 2018 tally is provisional. The fiveyear average is 82 deaths per year.
The per-capita death rate was 1.2 per 100,000 people in 2018, well down on the rate for the past five years of 1.9.
The gender split last year was broadly similar to previous years: 78 per cent of fatalities were male, 22 per cent female.
Beaches were the leading environment in which people drowned in 2018, being the site of 18 deaths, followed by rivers (13), and home pools (eight) and inland still waters (eight).
“Preventable fatalities include recreational and non-recreational drowning deaths,” Water Safety said.
“They do not include those fatalities classified as ‘other’ — arising as a result of road or air vehicle accidents, homicide, suicide or of unknown origin — as these are not considered applicable to the prevention and rescue efforts of the water safety sector.”
Water Safety said there were four preventable drownings during the holiday period, which ran from 4pm on December 24 to 6am on January 3.
However, news reports indicate there have been nine confirmed or likely waterrelated deaths since December 21. Some may not fit the definition of preventable, and causes of death — whether or not they were drownings — are for coroners to determine.
Water Safety said the number of preventable drownings during the holiday period was half the toll for the same period a year ago.
Chief executive Jonty Mills said although that was encouraging, “one preventable drowning is too many and a tragedy for all families and communities involved”.
“This has been another holiday period of record rescues and callouts for our frontline services which indicates the toll could have easily been much worse” said Mills. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers keeping Kiwis and visitors safe in, on and around the water.
“While our waterways are our playground they can be unforgiving and need to be treated with appropriate respect.
“The summer holidays go on for a couple more months yet and we know Kiwis will continue to enjoy our beautiful waterways as the warm weather continues.
“We need all Kiwis to take responsibility and think about water safety. Remember the water safety code. Be prepared, watch out for yourself and each other, be aware of the dangers and know your limits.”
The average toll during the defined holiday period for the past five years is eight preventable drowning fatalities.
Be prepared, watch out for yourself and each other, be aware of the dangers and know your limits Jonty Mills, Water Safety NZ