Findings

Fatalities

There were 76 male drowning deaths in 2021. This is the highest male total since 2003 (80).

There was no significant change in female drowning death numbers in 2021 (14) from the 2020 total (13) and the five year average (15).

The most male drowning fatalities occurred in the 65+ age group (18). The largest age group for female drowning deaths in 2021 was the Under fives with three fatalities.

In 2021, Females died by drowning in just 3 types of recreational activities. Males drowned taking part in 16 different recreational activities*.

Hospitalisations

In 2021, female hospitalisations were close to 50:50 with male hospitalisations in non-recreational activities, but were less than half (39) the male total (92) in recreational activities.

 

* Female recreational activities resulting in drowning fatality: free diving, swimming, powered boat under 4m
Male recreational activities resulting in drowning fatality: angling, board riding (surfing), boogie boarding, canoeing, jumping, free diving, jet skis, kayaking, net fishing, powered boat over 4m, powered boat under 4m, rafting, rowing craft/dinghy, scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming