Over the five-year reporting period, an average of 370 people
died and 618 were hospitalised each year as a result of drowning,
according to a new report released today by the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Renate Kreisfeld of the Institute's National Injury Surveillance
Unit based at Flinders University in Adelaide said, 'perhaps not
surprisingly, by far the highest rate of hospitalisations for
near-drownings were children aged 4 years and under'.
'Males had consistently higher rates of drowning deaths and
hospitalisations than females across all age groups'.
The report, Deaths and hospitalisations due to drowning,
Australia 1999-00 to 2003-04, shows that around one-third of
all drowning deaths occurred in natural bodies of water such as
beaches, lakes, the open sea, rivers and streams, while 10% of
deaths occurred in swimming pools, and 10% were
boat-/watercraft-related.
'The dangers of swimming pools for very young children are
readily apparent in the data we have analysed for this report', Ms
Kreisfeld said.
'The highest death rates for swimming pool drowning was in the
0-4 year age.'
Coroners' data showed that by far the most important factor
identified for young children and death by drowning in swimming
pools was the lack of adequate supervision. Various aspects of pool
fencing and gates were also commonly identified as contributing
factors.
Over the period covered by the report, around 20 deaths a year
were the result of drowning in bathtubs, with 47 hospitalisations
for near-drownings.
In such cases epilepsy, other seizure disorders, and inadequate
or non-existent supervision were factors commonly identified by
coroners. Alcohol intoxication was also mentioned frequently in
case documents.
Approximately 37 drowning deaths and 65 hospitalisations per
year were watercraft-related. These incidents often occurred while
the person was engaged in a leisure activity.
An annual average of 56 drowning deaths and 39 hospitalisations
were due to intentional self-harm.
Wednesday 2 April 2008
Further information: Renate Kreisfeld, AIHW, 08
8201 7624.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for the availability of Deaths and
hospitalisations due to drowning, Australia 1999-00 to
2003-04.