Lifesaving Victoria researchers say drowning rates in winter still too high
COMPLACENT boaters, divers and fishers be warned — a Lifesaving Victoria researcher has explained why a fifth of all Victorian drownings happen in winter.
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COMPLACENT boaters, divers and fishers be warned — a Lifesaving Victoria researcher has explained why a fifth of all Victorian drownings happen in winter.
In the past decade a fifth of drownings across the state have occurred in the colder months, and experts say the biggest killer is carelessness.
Life Saving Victoria principal research associate Dr Bernadette Matthews said water safety was on everyone’s mind in summer, but winter water users were often more reckless.
“Those messages do get lost over the winter,” Dr Matthews said.
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“The greatest proportion of incidents in the winter are when people are fishing, boating or scuba diving, they’re not actually swimming.”
She said some people were more at risk of drowning in winter because they were wearing heavy clothing and were often in more remote locations where it took longer for emergency services to respond.
“Even for experienced boaters, everyone needs to wear a life jacket,” Dr Matthews said.
Falling into the water was another major risk factor, causing 40 per cent of drownings in 2016/17.
“Particularly with older adults, as they’re getting older they’re more prone to falling so they might be walking along a riverbank or pool edge and they slip and fall in and aren’t able to get themselves out,” she said.
Trevor Hogan from Launching Way, one of the busiest boat ramps in Victoria with up to 1000 launches a day during peak season, said recreational boating was generally a safe activity.
He said boaters should tell someone where they’re going and what time they’ll be back, especially during winter because there are less people out on the water.
“If you do get in trouble stay with your boat and call 000 straight away,” he said.
“A lot of people don’t call 000 because they’re scared of getting a fine. But it’s not worth risking your life over.”
He said life jacket maintenance, sticking to speed limits, carrying an EPIRB and being considerate to other boaters is essential.
Frankston Live Saving Club president Tim Cutrona said people put less emphasis on water safety during winter “purely because the weather is not good”.
“Domestic pools, lakes and piers still pose a significant risk,” he said. “If you fall in the water you’re at risk winter or summer.”
Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre manager Simon Beqir said the biggest challenge and contributor to winter drownings was parental supervision complacency.
“An alarming number of parents are still over-estimating their children’s abilities,” he said.
The Boating Industry Association of Victoria chief executive Steve Walker said winter increased the risk of drowning through thermal shock and hypothermia.
He urged winter boaters to check safety equipment and the weather forecast, know the rules and always wear a life jacket.
In Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula, almost 50 people have drowned in the past decade. On average, about 10 people drown in Victoria every winter.
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