Worst year for drowning in a decade

Water Safety NZ have released the 2022 Annual Drowning Report which shows a record 94 people lost their lives to drowning in Aotearoa last year.

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This number of deaths represents the highest annual drowning loss in the past decade. It was 15 percent higher than the 10-year average.

Water Safety New Zealand Chief Executive Daniel Gerrard says the report - entitled "How Are We Drowning?" - makes for sobering reading and all New Zealanders need to read it.

"We need to remember that behind each of these statistics is a person with hopes, dreams and loved ones," says Gerrard.

"We reflect with sadness that 94 preventable drownings occurred in 2022 - the worst in a decade. Each year far too many lives are lost to drowning, leaving families and communities devastated."

2022 Drowning Report | Water Safety NZ

The report represents a strong call to action for craft users who tragically made up 31 percent of all drowning deaths in 2022. The report says that 29 lives were needlessly lost, which Gerrard says may have been prevented by improved life jacket legislation.

Northland (18) had the most the drownings in 2022 ahead of Auckland (17), Waikato (11), Canterbury (10) and Bay of Plenty (9).

Males made up 85 percent of all drownings and the most prevalent age groups were 35 - 44 years and 65 - 74 years (both 20 percent) ahead of the 55 - 64 years category (17 percent).

The report concludes that the high number of drowning fatalities in 2022 was mainly due to a higher-than-average number of multiple fatalities involving powered craft.

There were 29 deaths in powered craft in 2022. This number makes up 31 percent of the total drownings last year and is a 66 percent increase on the 10-year average.

The leading regions for drowning in a powered craft were Northland (8), Auckland and Canterbury (both 6).

Twelve people in 2022 drowned in craft multiple fatality events - one in Auckland (two deaths), one in Northland (five deaths) and one in Canterbury (five deaths).

A total of 21 people drowned from slipping or falling into the water accidentally. This made up 22 percent of all drownings last year. And 19 people drowned while swimming, 20 percent of the total.

The drownings by environment showed that 26 percent of people drowned offshore, 23 percent at the beach and 22 percent in rivers and streams.

Māori and Pasifika people are significantly overrepresented in the data. The majority of Māori deaths occurred while they were undertaking swimming, boating and underwater activities. Pasifika people died in a wider range of recreational activities than in previous years.

In the 43 years of the records - from 1980 to 2022 - a total of 16 drowning deaths occurred due to flooding.

The extreme weather events in Auckland in January 2023 and Cyclone Gabrielle on the east coast of the North Island in February resulted in a 50 percent increase to that total in the space of three weeks.

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker says the report shows New Zealanders need to make better decisions around the water.

"A drowning is a devastating event for any whānau and community and our hearts go out to every family who lost a loved one in 2022," he says.

"Far too many New Zealanders are drowning, and these events are preventable. If we take time to assess the risks and make smart choices before we jump in, we can keep on doing the things we love."

ACC partners with Water Safety NZ to keep children safe in and around water, as the naming rights sponsor of the ACC Water Skills for Life programme.

"Knowing how to swim is not enough, Water Skills for Life teaches other life-long water safety and survival skills," says Whitaker. "They are critical skills that could save your kids' life."

"How are we Drowning?" By the Numbers

• 94 people lost their lives to drowning in 2022, the highest number in a decade
• This number was 15 percent higher than the 10 year average
• 29 people (31 percent of all drownings) were in powered crafts
• Northland (18) had the most the drownings in 2022 ahead of Auckland (17), Waikato (11), Canterbury (10) and Bay of Plenty (9).

Water Safety Code

• Be prepared - Check the weather, your gear and the water conditions.
• Look after yourself and others - Adults, not children or teenagers, should always supervise little people and children around water.
• Be aware of the dangers - Check for rips and currents, snags and rocks and don't consume alcohol before a swim, dive or going fishing.
• Know your limits - Do you know how to swim? If not, stay out. Remember, you will never be able to swim in the ocean as well as in a pool and cold water will make you tired.

Ex-Navy Ships Diver Rob Hewitt shares his advice water safety

Maritime NZ's advice for safe boating:

• Ensure everyone wears a life jacket that fits for the whole trip, even the skipper
• Always take two waterproof ways to call for help
• Check the marine weather forecast before heading out on the water.