Shock report blames Covid for ‘frighteningly tragic’ surge in child drownings

A new report has blamed Covid for a huge spike in child drownings, with swimming lessons interrupted by lockdowns and distracted parents.

A shock new report has blamed COVID for a ‘frighteningly tragic’ doubling in child drownings, with “exhausted and distracted” work-from-home parents not watching their kids properly and lockdowns stopping swimming lessons.

Aussies swimming at unfamiliar spots to escape crowds during the pandemic is seen as another factor in a 20 per cent spike in child and adult drownings, 66 of them in Queensland.

The alarming figures are contained in new research released today by the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and Surf Life Saving Association Australia.

There were 294 drownings across Australia’s coastline, inland waterways and pools in the last 12 months compared to 245 in 2019-20, according to the RLSSA’s National Drowning Report and SLSA’s National Coastal Safety Report.

An image from a Surf Life Saving Queensland child drowning campaign.

Queensland’s 66 drowning deaths, 36 of them coastal, were up 6 per cent. NSW had the most drownings with 99, a 5 per cent increase, while the four drownings in the ACT represented a 100 per cent increase on 2019-20.

Baby and toddler drownings surged more than 100 per cent with 25 tragic deaths, while a 56 per cent increase in primary school age drownings also has lifesaving authorities “most concerned”.

RLSSA chief executive Justin Scarr said the increase in child drownings was “frighteningly tragic” and the pandemic had played a part.

“Complacency can often seep in when people are exhausted from working from home, homeschooling, and restricted time in confined spaces, sometimes resulting in distractions or unsupervised children around water,” he said.

Amelia Rees (Neptune Royal LSC), Belinda Macpherson (Tallebudgera SLSC) and Clive Newman (Neptune Royal LSC). Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Mr Scarr said Covid had also seen children miss out on swimming lessons, while adults had lost swim fitness and confidence with pools closed for extended periods.

SLSA chief executive Adam Weir said 136 coastal drownings in 2020-21 was 13 per cent above the 10-year average, adding that the result was ‘surprising’ given the number of lockdowns across Australia.

But he said the lockdowns had been followed by a noticeable spike in drownings as people rushed beaches and waterways after being cooped up at home.

Many were seeking out remote places to escape crowds, swimming outside of patrolled hours, taking more day trips to isolated beaches, rivers or lakes and holidaying at unfamiliar locations.

“Concerningly, what we’re seeing is a spike in drowning data on the back end of lockdowns,” he said.

“People haven’t been able to go to the beach and all of a sudden there’s a flurry of activity.”

Mr Weir said lifesavers were bracing for a potentially tragic and hectic summer as vaccination rates increase, lockdowns ease and people head to beaches en masse.