Research reveals winter is the second most dangerous time for drownings
Shock new research reveals winter is the second most dangerous time for drownings in Victoria, with parents urged to be vigilant around spas and baths.
South East
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Life Saving Victoria is urging people to be vigilant around water in the cooler months with new research revealing winter is the second most dangerous time for drownings.
Last winter 15 people drowned in winter — eight more than the 10 year average.
The “dangerous misconception” of people thinking they are safe at home has resulted in more Victorians drowning in household spas and baths in July compared to any other time of the year.
Dr Hannah Calverley said it only takes one moment for parent to check their phone for a child to drown, or a glass of wine to put someone at risk around water.
“Drowning can happen as quickly as 20 seconds in as little as a few centimetres of water,” she said.
Fifty-three people have drowned in Victoria already this year, which is only 13 per cent shy of the highest number of recorded deaths.
“This figure is just 13 per cent fewer than the same period last year, when Victoria experienced the worst drowning toll in more than 20 years,” Dr Calverley said.
The research reveals 41 per cent of all drownings in the past decade involved alcohol or drugs and more than a third happened in a river, creek, stream, or dam.
People who unexpectedly enter cold water by slipping, tripping or falling, can experience cold-water shock which can impact response rate and swimming ability.
The parents of Hunter Boyle were left heartbroken when their two-year-old drowned in a “freezing” dam while feeding horses with his grandfather near Shepparton in August 2020.
Hunter was found in the Grahamvale dam after “silently slipping away”.
Emergency services worked on the boy for up to seven hours but sadly, he couldn’t be revived.
In the wake of his death, his parents started the Hunter Boyle Children’s Swimming Program to help stop other tragedies happening.
People living in metropolitan areas are only slightly more likely to meet their demise in water with adults aged 25 to 44 and over 65 overrepresented in the winter drowning statistics.
Beáta Kiss, LSV’s research and health promotion co-ordinator, said simple steps can be taken to protect yourself and loved ones.
“Be aware of the risks around water, even if you don’t plan on getting in, and always be vigilant,” she said.
“Always actively supervise children around water, no matter how shallow and ensure there are appropriate barriers to pools or other bodies of water on your property.”
