New Zealand has one of the highest fatal drowning rates in the OECD1. This report is our way of drawing a line in the sand. We, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, are saying “enough is enough”. No more unnecessary deaths from drowning on our beaches and along our coastline.
WAIKATO
FATAL DROWNING SNAPSHOT
Figure 35
2009-19: Waikato Beach and Coastal Fatal Drownings
In 2018-19, there were five fatal drownings in Waikato. This
figure was above the 10-year average (2009-19) of three.
The 2018-19 fatal drowning rate per 100,000 pop. was
1.07, which is higher than the 10-year average drowning
rate (0.78).
Fatal Drownings (n)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2009-10
Fatal Drownings
Fatal Drowning Rate
2010-11
Figure 36
2009-19: Beach and Coastal Fatal Drownings by
Activity (n=34)
Within the Waikato region, the majority of beach and
coastal fatalities occurred when swimming/wading (n=8)
and due to falls (n=5).
Swimming/Wading
Fall
Boating
Net/Shell Fishing
Rock Fishing
Snorkelling
Attempting a Rescue
Watercraft
Figure 37
Comparison of Beach and Coastal Fatal Drowning Rates per Activity: 2009-19 (10-year average) and 2018-19
In 2018-19 fatal drownings per 100,000 pop. were lower than the 10-year average (2009-19) in the following activities;
boating, watercraft, snorkelling, net/shell fishing and falls. However, annual drowning rates per 100,000 pop. (2018-19)
were up in swimming/wading, rock fishing and attempting a rescue activities when compared to the 10-year average.
SWIMMING / WADING
FALL
2011-12
BOATING
2012-13
WATERCRAFT
2013-14
2014-15
Year
2009-19
0.18
2009-19
0.12
2009-19
0.09
2009-19
0.02
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
0.43
2018-19
0.00
2018-19
0.00
2018-19
0.00
2018-19
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
Fatal Drowning Rate
(per 100,000 pop.)
13%
13%
13%
4% 3% 13%
SNORKELLING
ROCK FISHING
25%
Swimming/
Wading
2009-19
0.10
2009-19
0.09
NET / SHELL FISHING
2009-19
0.11
ATTEMPTING A RESCUE
2009-19
0.02
25%
16%
2018-19
0.00
2018-19
0.43
2018-19
0.00
2018-19
0.21
10-YEAR OVERVIEW | 2009-19 1-YEAR OVERVIEW | 2018-19
34
Attempting a Rescue
Boating
Diving / Jumping
Fall
AVERAGE FATAL DROWNINGS
3
PER YEAR
Net / Shell Fishing
Rock Fishing
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
91%
MALE
9%
FEMALE
Swimming / Wading
Watercraft
TOTAL FATAL DROWNINGS: 34
AVERAGE FATALITY
0.78
PER 100,000 POPULATION
KEY DEMOGRAPHIC
15-34 15-44
YEAR OLD MALE YEAR OLD
SWIMMERS/WADERS NET/SHELL FISHERMEN
FATAL DROWNINGS
AVERAGE FATALITY
5 1.07
FATAL DROWNINGS BY LOCATION
FATAL DROWNINGS BY ACTIVITY
40%
20%
20%
80%
Surf Beach
Surf Beach
40% 40%
Swimming/
Wading
PER 100,000 POPULATION
80%
Rocky Foreshore
40%
Rock Fishing Swimming/Wading Attempting a Rescue
42
SURF LIFE SAVING NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL BEACH AND COASTAL SAFETY REPORT
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