Community
13 December, 2024
Spike in drownings a concern
LIFE Saving Victoria (LSV) is urging all beachgoers to take extra care this summer.
The plea comes after a substantial increase in young and multicultural Victorians drowning across the state.
LSV is calling for a community effort to stop the growing number of deaths at beaches, pools and waterways.
The largest increase in drownings across Victoria in the past year was recorded among 15 to 24 year-olds with 10 fatalities, which is double the average drowning rate for the past decade.
On top of this, 25 to 44-year-olds recorded 17 deaths, the highest number of any age group and the largest death count for this cohort in 20 years.
Tragically, multicultural communities across Victoria also had the highest number of drownings since records began, with 21 fatalities.
These figures were released last week in the 2023-24 Life Saving Victoria Drowning Report, which provides data and insights on drowning incidents across the state.
The report provides valuable information to help LSV, its partners and policymakers to target the underlying factors behind drownings and drive fatality numbers down.
Life Saving Victoria chief executive officer Cath Greaves hoped the report’s grim figures would motivate all residents to do what they can to keep themselves and their loved ones safe in the water.
“Our community collectively shudders at this sharp increase in drowning deaths, particularly among teenagers and young adults,” Ms Greaves said.
“We need a community-wide effort to reach out to our young people and halt this disturbing trend.
“We must support our multicultural communities by breaking down language and cultural barriers, building water safety abilities and fostering role models so all Victorians can enjoy the water safely.
“This report must harden our resolve as a community to arrest the number of lives tragically cut short, and the heartbreaking impacts that are felt far and wide from every drowning incident.”
