One demographic makes up a third of fatalities as Victorian drowning stats hit five-year high

One demographic has made up one-third of all drownings in Victoria, in a deadly summer that has seen drowning statistics hit a five-year high.

One demographic is most at risk of drowning, new statistics reveal. Picture: Jason Sammon

One demographic has accounted for a third of the drownings across Victoria as the fatal summer statistics hit a five year high.

With predictions of a warmer than usual autumn authorities have warned people to take more care around water.

Twenty-six people drowned in the three months since December 1 last year — 10 more than the five-year average.

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But it was the increase in deaths among men aged 45 to 65 that has experts most concerned.

Life Saving Victoria research associate Dr Bernadette Matthews said establishing a cause of the spike wasn’t easy.

“It’s hard to say but potentially people are not getting the message or not understanding that as they get older their physical ability is changing,” she said.

Dr Matthews said pre-existing medical conditions could also be a factor.

In total, there were 42 deaths from the start of the financial year, 2018 to the end of February this year — 14 more than the 10-year average.

Of the toll, 15 drownings occurred on the coast, 18 at inland waterways and nine at homes.

The spike in deaths has become the focus on the latest campaign from Life Saving Victoria.

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