Queensland beach drownings spike as lifesavers warn older people are 'over-estimating abilities'

A spate of drownings on Qld beaches has prompted fresh warnings as officials fear more tragedies could follow.

Ten people have drowned on the state’s beaches since August, including four in the past week.

Older people hitting the surf to stay fit and healthy are “over-estimating their abilities” and contributing to an alarming spike in beach drownings in Queensland, according to surf lifesavers.

Ten people have drowned on the state’s beaches since August, including four in the past week, in what lifesavers say is a worrying trend heading into the peak summer season.

Surf Life Saving Queensland public safety and emergency management boss Matt Thompson said the death toll was “certainly well ahead of where we were this time last year” when eight people had drowned.

“It’s also ahead of the five-year average and, given the fact that we haven’t even kicked off summer, it’s a huge concern,” he said.

The drownings included two on Monday, one at Surfers Paradise and the other at Burnett Heads.

The drownings included two on Monday, one at Surfers Paradise and the other at Burnett Heads.

Both the victims were older people, a demographic Mr Thompson said accounted for at least half the drownings.

“It’s consistent with what we’ve been seeing nationally with an increasing number of older people becoming more active, but they’re not as young as they once were and are perhaps over-estimating their abilities or underestimating the hazards,” he said.

Mr Thompson said males also continued to be over-represented in drowning statistics, with men accounting for eight of the 10 latest drownings.

He said drownings were continuing to happen largely outside surf patrol areas or hours.

“People in Queensland like to venture further afield to find their own patch of solace and we’re doing what we can to expand our reach,” he said.

“It’s no longer just about telling people to swim between the flags but also getting the message across to ‘stop, look and stay alive’.

“People need to be aware of the conditions, the hazards and their own abilities and ideally have someone with them so if they do get into trouble, they can reach out for help.”

Mr Thompson said SLSQ was expanding the use of drones as well installing mobile cameras and emergency call beacons at unpatrolled beaches.

Surf clubs were also being equipped with wall-mounted public rescue kits, including a rescue tube and shark bite first-aid kit, for when lifesavers are not on patrol.

Mr Thompson said every drowning hit surf lifesavers hard.

“Everything the public can do to be safe helps them, helps their families and helps us,” he said.

Qld beach safety tips

■ Always swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags; if there are no flags, don’t swim there

■ Read and obey beach safety signs, and ask lifesavers/lifeguards about the day’s conditions; never swim alone; actively supervise children and keep them within arm’s reach; avoid alcohol and drugs around the water.

■ Learn to spot a rip: look for darker, deeper channels, fewer or no breaking waves, foam/debris heading seaward, or a choppy, disturbed patch among smoother water.

■ If caught in a rip: stay calm and float; don’t swim against it; if confident, swim parallel to the beach to exit, then angle back on a wave; raise an arm and call for help.

■ Check conditions before you go: use the Bureau of Meteorology marine and coastal forecasts for wind, swell and tides; choose patrolled beaches and confirm patrol times via Beachsafe.

Never turn your back on the waves at a beach.

■ Marine stingers (including box jellyfish and Irukandji) are a risk, particularly in warmer months and tropical Queensland: heed closures, swim in stinger nets where provided, wear protective stinger suits, and enter the water slowly; never touch washed‑up stingers.

■ First aid for stings: for box jellyfish/Irukandji, call triple-0 (000) and douse the site with vinegar for at least 30 seconds; for bluebottle stings, rinse with seawater, carefully remove tentacles, then use hot water (up to 45°C) for pain relief; monitor breathing and be ready to start CPR if needed.

■ On rock platforms and headlands: never turn your back on the sea; wear non‑slip footwear; avoid alcohol; go in daylight; consider a lifejacket; don’t fish alone; use established access and keep well clear of the water’s edge.

■ If someone’s in trouble: alert a lifeguard; if unpatrolled, call 000; throw a flotation aid or use on‑site rescue equipment — don’t enter the water unless trained and it’s safe to do so.

Sources: Queensland Government, Surf Life Saving Australia, Royal Life Saving, BOM

Originally published as Queensland beach drownings spike as lifesavers warn older people are 'over-estimating abilities'