COA S TAL SA FE T Y BRIE F
YOUNG M ALE S (15 -39 YE AR S OLD) S U R F L I FE S AV I N G AU S T R A L I A
YO U N G M A LE S S N A P S H OT 2 011 - 21 : 1 0 -Y E A R R E V I E W
ANALYSIS Young males are a high-risk demographic for injury and death on our coast. They represent an average of 53 coastal deaths each year, with three out of four due to drowning (77%).
13 96
31
525 1.24 77%
YOUNG MALE COASTAL DEATHS
AVERAGE RATE /100,000 MALES
DUE TO DROWNING
115 178
DEATHS (%)
25
67 NCSS2021: AWARENESS & BEHAVIOURS
2.4M
41%
1 in 4
3 in 10
62%
9%
swimmers/waders
always swim at a patrolled beach during patrol hours
are unable to swim or are weak swimmers in the ocean
have been unintentionally caught in a rip
believe they are experienced enough to take risks when swimming
never look for rips before entering the water
Young males deaths (n)
DROWNING & FATALITY
10 - year average
AVERAGE DEATHS PER YEAR
Rate/100,000 pop.
1.8
70
1.6
60
KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
1.4 50 1.2
25-29 YEAR OLDS
80%
Number (n)
25%
AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS
47%
26%
AT A BEACH
SWIMMERS/WADERS
40
1.0
30
0.8
0.4 10 55
41
50
54
52
59
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
45 2014/15
27%
MEDICAL/INJURY
47 2013/14
21%
ALCOHOL/DRUGS
63 2012/13
RIP CURRENTS
59 2011/12
0
27%
0.6
20
DEATH TRENDS OVER TIME
2
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
0.2
Rate/100,000 young males
53
INTRODUCTION
M
en are continually overrepresented in injury and fatality data, with coastal incidents no exception. The male burden differs across age groups, with younger male decedents (aged 15-39 years) accounting for a significant proportion of coastal deaths in Australia1. This increased risk observed in males aged 15-39 years is attributed to greater participation in coastal activities (and therefore exposure), inflated confidence levels that do not reflect actual abilities and social determinants (i.e. peer pressure1). This period, particularly within adolescents and younger adults, is also widely recognised as a life stage where individuals are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours. Coastal environments are dynamic with many associated risks and hazards, and sadly are also common locations of Australian drowning deaths. Many coastal visitors choose to ignore or do not recognise the associated risks and hazards, resulting in an average of 120 unintentional coastal drowning deaths and 65 non-drowning fatalities each year (2011-212), of which a significant proportion are young males. Between 2011-21, SLSA have recorded 525 coastal deaths involving young males, 77% of which were due to drowning (n=403). This represents an average of 53 young male coastal deaths each year, equating to 29% of the overall burden mentioned above. The majority of these deaths occurred while swimming or wading (26%; n=139; p. 8), at beaches (47%; n=246) and greater than 1km away from a surf lifesaving service (77%; n=405). Rip currents were known contributors in one in four young male coastal deaths (27%; n=122; p. 8), but this could be much higher with 20% unknown (n=94). Similarly, alcohol and drugs were contributing factors in one in five young male coastal deaths (21%; n=109; p. 9). Alcohol intoxication (BAC greater than 0.05g/mL) was reported in half of these incidents (50%; n=54), while illicit drugs were recorded in 48% (n=48; p. 9). The average BAC for alcohol-related deaths was 0.18g/mL - almost four times the legal driving limit!
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
To understand this high-risk population better, Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Coastal Safety Survey (NCSS) has been surveying the community to understand the behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions of young males on coastal safety and hazards3. The most recent survey (NCSS2021) reported that 24% young males (16-39) have been unintentionally caught in a rip current (p. 13), yet the coast is generally perceived to be more hazardous than the beach (p. 13). Almost half of all young males are not able to swim 50 metres in the ocean without touching the bottom (p. 14), but a greater proportion have done so in last year compared to Australian adults overall (p. 14). Within this brief we present a brief overview of the economic and social costs to society of these incidents, and identify blackspot locations that may benefit from more targeted prevention and mitigation strategies. Surf lifesavers and lifeguards were identified as the main source of coastal safety information for 62% of young men (p. 17), highlighting their important role in communicating risk, increasing awareness and changing behaviour within this challenging, high-risk demographic.
1
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
YO U N G M A LE S – C O A S TA L D R O W N I N G & F ATA L I T Y 2 011 - 21 : C A U S A L A N A LY S I S
525 COASTAL DEATHS
77%
DUE TO DROWNING
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
2
21%
ALCOHOL/DRUGS
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
WHY
27%
20%
21%
RIP CURRENTS
DUE TO INJURY
ALCOHOL/DRUGS
47%
77%
36%
WHERE
AT A BEACH
> 1KM FROM SLS SERVICE
WHEN
AT A MAJOR CITY
2021
2021
DEC - FEB
50%
47%
OCCURRED IN THE AFTERNOON (12-6PM)
OCCURRED ON THE WEEKEND
47%
25%
37%
OCCURRED DURING SUMMER
WHO
OVERSEAS-BORN
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
25-29 YEAR OLDS
3
32%
INTRASTATE VISITORS
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
YO U N G M A LE S – C O A S TA L D R O W N I N G & F ATA L I T Y 2 011 - 21 : C A U S A L A N A LY S I S
WHO KEY DEMOGRAPHICS
53
1.24
AVERAGE DEATHS PER YEAR
25%
AVERAGE RATE/ 100,000 MALES
53%
25-29 YEAR OLDS
AUSTRALIANBORN
8
2.5
7
5.9
6
5.1
5.0
Percentage (%)
5 4.0
4
5.0 4.2
4.0
3.4
3.6
3.4
3.4
3.2
3.6
4.4 3.8
1.5 3.6 1.0
2.7
3 2
4.1
2.0
5.7
5.3
5.1
1.5
1.3
1.5
15
16
17
0.5
1 0
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Average rate/100,000 males
6.9
0.0
39
Age (years)
AGE Men aged 25-29 years accounted for 25% of coastal deaths of young males (n=131; 1.43/100,000 men). The highest number and rate of young male deaths were recorded for those ages 26 years (n=36; 1.97/100,000 males) followed by 30 year olds (n=31; 1.70/100,000 males).
INCIDENT LOCATION
3% UNKNOWN
22%
27%
32%
7%
9%
LOCAL
RESIDENT
INTRASTATE VISITOR
INTERSTATE VISITOR
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR
10KM
10 - 50KM
>50KM
>50KM
INCIDENT LOCATION DISTANCE FROM PLACE OF RESIDENCE Most young male decedents were intrastate visitors (32%; n=166), i.e. those who lived greater than 50km, but within the same state where the incident occurred. Residents who lived between 10-50 km from the incident location represented 27% (n=142).
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
4
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
WHERE
TOP 10 DECEDENT ETHNICITIES Australian
3%
8%
North America
Europe
30% Asia
3%
2%
Africa
Oceania
1%
53%
Latin America
Australia
1.0
50.0%
Chinese
5.8%
Indian
4.1%
South Korean
3.7%
British
3.5%
Aboriginal peoples
3.1%
American
2.3%
New Zealander
1.9%
Nepalese
1.9%
Vietnamese
1.9%
BIRTH CONTINENT OF DECEDENT The majority of young males decedents were Australian-born (53%; n=265), followed by 30% who were born in Asia (n=147). Birth continent was unknown for 6% of cases (n=32), which were excluded from analyses.
4 IN 5 YOUNG MEN WERE AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS
80% RESIDENT
9% STUDENT
8%
SHORT TERM VISITOR
2%
WORKING HOLIDAY/ BACKPACKER
1% OTHER
VISITOR CATEGORY Most decedents were residents of Australia (80%, n=412), followed by 9% who were international students (n=45) and 8% that were short-term visitors (n=43). Visitor category was unknown for <1% of cases (n=11), which were excluded from analyses.
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
5
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
YO U N G M A LE S – C O A S TA L D R O W N I N G & F ATA L I T Y 2 011 - 21 : C A U S A L A N A LY S I S
WHERE
60% 53
50% 2%
2%
1%
0.4%
40%
7%
30%
47%
47%
BEACH
23%
Beach Rock/Cliff Offshore Bay Port/Marina Jetty River/Creek Coastal Pool
Percentage
18%
23
24
<1km
1-5km
20%
10%
0 >5km
INCIDENT LOCATION CATEGORY
INCIDENT DISTANCE FROM A SURF LIFE SAVING SERVICE
Beaches were the most common location for coastal deaths involving young men (47%; n=246), followed by rock/cliff (23%; n=118) locations and offshore waters (18%; n=95).
Over half of young male coastal deaths occurred greater than 5km from a Surf Life Saving service (53%; n=277), with 77% occurring more than 1km away (n=405).
26 % 36%
16% 9%
6%
OFFSHORE
MAJOR CITIES
INNER-REGIONAL
OUTER-REGIONAL
REMOTE
7%
VERY REMOTE
REMOTENESS CLASSIFICATION OF INCIDENT LOCATIONS Over one-third of young males died in major cities (36%; n=187), followed by inner-regional (26%; n=136) and outer-regional (16%; n=83) locations. The ‘remoteness classification’ of an incident location was coded to the Australian Statistical Geographic Standard Remoteness Areas.
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
6
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
WHEN
MORTALITY RISK IS 2.2X GREATER ON THE WEEKEND
14
13
12
24
25
13 11
11
23
20
8
8 7
Percentage (%)
Percentage (%)
10 8 7
7 6
6
5
15
14
10
9
9
Tue
Wed
11
10
4
4
5 2 0
0 Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Mon
Jun
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
INCIDENT MONTH
INCIDENT DAY
Over one-third of young male deaths (37%; n=193) occurred during summer months (Dec-Feb), with most recorded in January (13%; n=69) followed closely by December (13%; n=68). Month was unknown for <1% of cases (n=1), which was excluded from analyses.
Saturday has recorded the most young male deaths (24%; n=126) followed closely by Sunday (23%; n=120). Overall, more incidents occurred on weekdays (53%; n=276), but 47% occurred on weekend days (n=246) meaning mortality risk was 2.2 times greater on a weekend day. Incident day was unknown for 1% of cases (n=3), which were excluded from analyses.
12
Percentage (%)
10 8 6 4 2
11-12am
10-11 pm
9-10 pm
8-9 pm
7-8 pm
6-7 pm
5-6 pm
4-5 pm
3-4 pm
2-3 pm
1-2 pm
12-1 pm
11-12 pm
10-11 am
9-10 am
8-9 am
7-8 am
6-7 am
5-6 am
4-5 am
3-4 am
2-3 am
1-2 am
12-1 am
0
INCIDENT TIME Most coastal deaths of young males occurred in the afternoon between the hours of 12 and 6 pm (50%; n=236). Time of incident was unknown for 10% of cases (n=50), which were excluded from analyses.
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
7
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
YO U N G M A LE S – C O A S TA L D R O W N I N G & F ATA L I T Y 2 011 - 21 : C A U S A L A N A LY S I S
HOW 3%
23%
3% 3%
5%
26%
Swimming/Wading
9%
403
Boating & PWC Snorkelling & Diving
26%
9%
Falls & Jumps Land & Rock Fishing Watercraft
SWIMMING
DROWNING DEATHS
Non Aquatic Transport
18%
Attempting a Rescue
11%
77% Drowning Death Other Fatality
Other
13%
Unknown
DROWNING VS. FATALITY
ACTIVITY
Three-quarters of young male coastal deaths were due to drowning or immersion (77%; n=403), although other causes are sometimes determined for unintentional deaths. For example, fatal injuries and precipitating medical factors are also common determinants in coastal deaths. SLSA records all coastal deaths (drowning and fatality) since surf lifesavers respond to all incidents - not just those due to drowning.
Most young males died while swimming and wading (26%; n=139), followed by participation in boating & personal watercraft (PWC, a.k.a jetskis; 18%; n=96) and snorkelling & diving (13%; n=66) activities.
Emergency Services
34
48% OVERHEAD
28%
SHOULDER-DEEP
15% WAIST-DEEP
9%
KNEE HIGH
RIP CURRENTS CONTRIBUTE TO AT LEAST 1 IN 4 YOUNG MALE COASTAL DEATHS
Member of Public
27
Body Not Recovered
15
Family/Friend
12
Lifeguard/Surf lifesaver
10
Other
2 35
30
25
20 15 Percentage (%)
10
5
0
RIP CURRENTS AND YOUNG MALE DEATHS
RESCUED BY
Rip currents are known contributors in over one in four young male coastal deaths (27%; n=122), but this could be much higher with 20% unknown (n=94). For known cases, 52% of young male decedents could touch the ocean floor at the time the incident. Rip current analyses were not relevant for 12% cases (n=64) and water depth was unknown for 62% rip-related cases (n=76), both were excluded from analyses.
Over a third of young male decedents (34%; n=134) were rescued by emergency services, followed by 27% rescued by a member of the public, or bystander (n=107). Rescuer was unknown for 26% of cases (n=136), which have been excluded from analyses.
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
8
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
WHY Highly experienced
10
Injury
Experienced
19
Medical Condition 1 & Injury
49
Medical Condition Inexperienced
7
38 None
No experience
3 0
52
Unknown 10
20
30
40
50
60
21
0
10
Percentage (%)
20
30
40
50
60
Percentage (%)
EXPERIENCE IN ACTIVITY
MEDICAL/INJURY
For known cases, the majority of young male decedents were reported to be experienced in the activity they were undertaking when they died. Experience level was unknown for 65% of cases (n=343), which were excluded from analyses.
Injuries contributed to 20% of young male coastal deaths (n=103), while precipitating medical conditions were recorded in 8% of cases (n=39).
AVERAGE BAC WAS ALMOST 4X THE LEGAL DRIVING LIMIT!
TOXICANT TYPE
27%
50%
8%
21% 51%
ALCOHOL/ DRUGS
BLOOD ALCOHOL >0.05
3%
48%
10%
ILLICIT DRUGS 1%
17%
Alcohol Alcohol & Drugs Drugs Other None Not Performed/Unknown
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
TOXICOLOGY Alcohol and drugs were contributing factors in 21% of young male coastal deaths (n=109). Alcohol intoxication (BAC greater than 0.05g/mL) was reported in half of these incidents (50%; n=54), while illicit drugs recorded in 48% (n=48). The average BAC for alcohol-related deaths with a BAC over 0.05g/mL was 0.18g/mL - almost four times the legal driving limit!
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
9
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
F E AT U R E – L O S I N G Y O U N G M E N THE COS T TO SOCIE T Y
Any loss of life has social, emotional and economic costs to society. These costs are amplified with the premature loss of young people, especially young men as they are consistently overrepresented in injury and fatality data. This feature explores the economic burden associated with the loss of life of young males from coastal deaths (drowning and other fatalities), relating to the societal value of years of life lost (YLL). A key concept is the value of a statistical life (VSL) which is an estimate of the value society places on reducing the risk of dying4. By convention the life is assumed to be the life of a young adult with at least 40 years of life ahead. A related concept is the value of a statistical life year (VSLY), which is an estimate of the value society places on a year of life 4. Our calculations estimate the mortality costs associated with 525 young male coastal deaths for the 10-year period (2011-21) is a $6.9 billion loss to society. This equates to $692 million each year, or $13.2 million per young male decedent. These costs are conservative since they were estimated using mortality data only, and do not encompass costs associated with non-fatal incidents. Young male coastal deaths represent a significant financial burden on Australian society, especially when we consider the value our society places on preventable loss of life. While the emotional and social impacts on loved ones and families cannot be understated, these results demonstrate that continued investment into the prevention of these premature deaths will yield far greater economic, social and emotional returns to the Australian community overall.
COST OF MEN
$6.9
OVERALL ECONOMIC LOSS
$692
ANNUAL BURDEN
$13.2
PER DECEDENT
BILLION
MILLION
MILLION
3.5
x times state coastal drowning rate
3.3x
3.0
Mortality rate / 100,000 young males
2.8x 2.5
Coastal drowning rate / 100,000 state population
2.8x
2.0 2.7x
1.5
2.4x 2.3x
1.0
2.1x
0.5 0.0
THE MORTALITY RATE FOR YOUNG MALES IN TASMANIA IS 3.3X THE TASMANIAN COASTAL DROWNING RATE The cost of a young male death is calculated as a function of the number of life years lost multiplied by the societal Value of a Statistical Life Year (VSLY4). This societal value is derived from annual productivity loss, and costs associated with search, rescue and coronial processes adjusted to 2021 dollars 4 (as previously described5).
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
TAS
NT
WA
QLD
NSW
SA
VIC
YOUNG MALE MORTALITY VS. COASTAL DROWNING BY STATE The mortality rates for young males are consistently higher than coastal drowning rates across each state. Calculating rates helps to compare by accounting for differences in population size between states. Young males in Tasmania recorded the highest mortality rate (3.2/100,000 young males), which was 3.3x greater than the average coastal drowning rate (0.97/100,000 Tasmanians). Given the societal costs associated with young male coastal deaths, these may be felt differently in each State or Territory.
10
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
YOUNG MALE BLACKSPOTS (2011-21) A blackspot is an area where a concentration of incidents is recorded and has a high probability/risk of ongoing reoccurrence. These local government areas (LGA) have recorded the highest numbers of young male coastal deaths since 2011/12.
6 24
31
Local Government Areas NSW
N
% NSW Cases
National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW
25
14%
Northern Beaches
19
11%
Coffs Harbour
16
9%
Randwick
11
6%
Central Coast (NSW)
11
6%
Wollongong
11
6%
Shoalhaven
10
6%
Byron
9
5%
QLD
N
% QLD Cases
Gold Coast
17
15%
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
17
15%
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
13
11%
Sunshine Coast
10
9%
Redland
9
8%
WA
N
% WA Cases
Parks and Wildlife Service WA
10
10%
Busselton
9
9%
Albany
6
6%
Wanneroo
6
6%
VIC
N
% VIC Cases
Mornington Peninsula
19
28%
Bass Coast
7
10%
Frankston
6
9%
Hobsons Bay
6
9%
SA
N
% SA Cases
MALES VS. FEMALES
National Parks and Wildlife Service SA
<5
<16%
On average, 53 young males die on our coast each year, 6.6x greater that the number of females within the same age bracket (n=8). This means that for every female decedent, almost seven young men lose their life on our coast. This equates to an annual average of 3,539 years of life lost (YLL) for young males, compared to 377 YLL for young females.
Victor Harbor
<5
<16%
TAS
N
% TAS Cases
Hobart
5
20%
NT
N
% NT Cases
Darwin
<5
<38%
19 33 20 NUMBER OF LGAS BY STATE THAT HAVE RECORDED YOUNG MALE DEATHS SINCE 2011/12
13
377
3,539 YLL
3,539
6.6 : MALES
Young males Young females
1
FEMALE
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
11
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
Y O U N G M A L E S – TA R G E T P O P U L AT I O N N C S S 2 0 21 : L O C AT I O N & V I S I TAT I O N
30
30
30
Percentage (%)
25 20
30% OF YOUNG MALES LIVE LESS THAN 10KM FROM THE COAST
18
15 10
10
8
5
3
0 Less than 10km
10 to 25km
26 to 50km
51 to 100km
Over 100km
Can't say
DISTANCE BETWEEN THE RESIDENCE AND COAST Young males who visit the coast tend to live within 25km of the coast.
2021
3.2M YOUNG MALES VISITED THE COAST
2.4
3.7
Every day
2.9M
HOURS/ VISIT
VISITS/MONTH
COASTAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS
6
3-6 times per week
8
1-2 times per week
11 21
1-3 times per month
24
3 to 11 times per year 14
1-2 times per year 11
Less often 5
Never 0
5
10
15
20
Percentage (%)
FREQUENCY OF VISITS TO THE COAST One in four young males (25%) visit the coast at least once a week.
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
12
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
25
Y O U N G M A L E S – TA R G E T P O P U L AT I O N N C S S 2 0 21 : H A Z A R D P E R C E P T I O N
Coast Beach
60 50
25
40
37
37
Percentage (%)
Percentage (%)
30
50
30 21
20
16
10
13 8
4
5
2
4
Very hazardous
Somewhat hazardous
Not very hazardous
Not at all hazardous
20
19
15 10 5
3
0 Extremely hazardous
24
0
Can't say
Australian adults
Young males
HOW HAZARDOUS IS THE COAST VS. THE BEACH
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN UNINTENTIONALLY CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT?
Young males generally perceive the coast to be more hazardous than the beach.
A quarter of young males (24%) have been unintentionally caught in a rip compared to 19% of Australian adults (16 and above).
1 IN 4 YOUNG MALES HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT
Extremely/Very hazardous Rock Fishing
Somewhat hazardous
42
Scuba Diving
27
PWC
26
Surfing
35
47 52
15
Boating
13
Snorkelling
13
Swimming
52
0
5
22
5
21
5 4 4
40
5
43
43 22 10
21
38
43
6
4
29
45
10
Land-based Fishing
19
47
22
Watercraft
Can't say
Not very/Not at all hazardous
3
67 20
30
40
50 Percentage (%)
60
5 70
80
90
100
HAZARD PERCEPTION OF COASTAL ACTIVITIES BY YOUNG MALES Young males consider rock fishing to be the most hazardous coastal activity (42% Extremely/very hazardous), while land-based fishing is considered the least hazardous (67% Not very/not at all hazardous).
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
13
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
Y O U N G M A L E S – TA R G E T P O P U L AT I O N N C S S 2 0 21 : S W I M M I N G A B I L I T Y
Overall Ocean
14
Highly competent
9
5% 14%
29
Competent
8% I cannot float or swim 17%
23 36 36
Average 14
Weak
13%
21 5
Unable to swim
9
45%
I can comfortably float and gently swim for about 15 minutes
Can comfortably float and swim for at least 30 minutes
I can comfortably float and gently swim for up to 30 minutes
18%
I can swim constantly for over one hour and float as long as I wish
I can comfortably float and gently swim for up to 60 minutes
25%
1 Can't say 2 0
I can comfortably float for over 1 minute and swim a little distance
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Can't say
Percentage (%)
UNAIDED SWIMMING ABILITY IN COASTAL WATERS
Young males generally consider themselves to be less competent swimmers in the ocean, especially those who are weak swimmers or unable to swim.
1 in 10 young males cannot float or swim, compared to 14% who can swim or float for 1+ hours.
Percentage (%)
SELF-REPORTED SWIMMING ABILITY
1 IN 4 YOUNG MALES ARE
60
55
50
24
45
40
19
30 20 10 0
UNABLE TO FLOAT OR SWIM FOR LONGER THAN A MINUTE
No/Can’t say
Yes
ABILITY TO SWIM 50M IN THE OCEAN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BOTTOM Almost half of all young males are not able to swim 50 metres in the ocean without touching the bottom. Young males (16-39) Australian adults (16+)
19
In 2021
9 22
Last year
12 18
2 to 5 years ago
16 13
More than 5 years ago
26 19
Never
28 9 9
Can't say 0
5
10
15
20
25
Percentage (%)
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SWAM 50 METRES OR FURTHER IN THE OCEAN? Young males have swum 50m or further in the ocean more recently than Australian adults in general.
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
14
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
30
Y O U N G M A L E S – TA R G E T P O P U L AT I O N N C S S 2 0 21 : R I S K & E X P E R I E N C E
None /0 alcoholic drinks
1 or 2 standard alcoholic drinks
Boating
3 or more alcoholic drinks
66
Surfing
23
63
Watercraft 57
Swimming/Wading
56
Snorkelling
56
Scuba Diving
51
Rock Fishing
50
0
10
3
8
27
6
12
15
5
31 28
40
6
5
32
30
3
7
32
5
16
34 20
6
7
29
25
Land-based Fishing
5
6
24
61
PWC
Can't say
7
34 50 Percentage (%)
60
70
80
90
100
NUMBER OF DRINKS YOUNG MEN BELIEVE IS REASONABLE TO CONSUME BEFORE UNDERTAKING AQUATIC ACTIVITIES 40% of young male swimmers think it is OK to consume one or more alcoholic drinks before swimming compared to 68% of land-based fishers.
7 IN 10 PWC RIDERS BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO TAKE RISKS, AND 37% BELIEVE IT IS OK TO DRINK AND RIDE
80
71
68
67
62
Percentage (%)
60
61
61
58
55 48
40
20
0
PWC
Surfing
Land-based Fishing
Swimming/ Wading
Snorkelling
Watercraft
Scuba Diving
Rock Fishing
COASTAL ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO TAKE SOME RISKS Almost two-thirds of young male snorkellers and watercraft users (61%) believe they are experienced enough to take risk.
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COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
Boating
Y O U N G M A L E S – TA R G E T P O P U L AT I O N N C S S 2 0 21 : R E S C U E S
1 IN 10 YOUNG MEN REPORT BEING RESCUED 50 45
Percentage (%)
40
30 22
36% OF
19
20
RESCUES OCCURRED BETWEEN 8AM AND 12PM
11
10
2 0 Beach (<500m from shore)
Rocky coast (eg shore platform, cliffs, rocky headland, reef)
Open ocean (>500m from shore)
Somewhere else
Can't say/ remember
RESCUE LOCATIONS Almost half (45%) of young male rescues occurred at beaches within 500m of the shore.
Yes
5%
38
No, but there were lifeguards patrolling less than 1km away 35%
29%
No lifeguards / it was outside patrol hours
35%
12
No, but there were lifeguards or surf lifesavers patrolling between 1km and 5km away
were rescued by a stranger
32%
30
11
No, but there were lifeguards or surf lifesavers patrolling more than 5km away
By someone else, a stranger By a lifeguard/surf lifesaver By someone I knew Can't say, can't remember
3
Can't say, can't remember
6 0
WHO WERE YOU RESCUED BY?
20 Percentage (%)
30
40
WERE THERE LIFEGUARDS OR SURF LIFESAVERS PATROLLING THE AREA?
Approximately a third of young males that have been rescued were rescued by a stranger, a lifeguard/surf lifesaver or by someone they knew.
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The majority of rescues of young males occurred at a patrolled area (38%) or less than 1km away from surf lifesaving services (30%).
16
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
Y O U N G M A L E S – TA R G E T P O P U L AT I O N N C S S 2 0 21 : S A F E T Y P R A C T I C E S
62
Lifeguards/surf lifesavers 44
Bureau of Meteorology 36
Coast guards Weatherzone
26 23
Coastalwatch 21
Local council State government maritime agency
19
Sporting clubs/organisations
19
Marine rescue organisation
15
Beachsafe
15 6
Swellnet
7
Can't say
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Percentage (%)
WHICH AUTHORITIES YOUNG MEN TURN TO FOR COASTAL SAFETY INFORMATION
1 IN 10 YOUNG
Lifeguards and surf lifesavers are the main source of coastal safety information for young males.
MEN NEVER LOOK FOR RIP CURRENTS BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER
80
2%
69
70
9%
Percentage (%)
60 50
14
40
22%
28
30 20
16 6
4
3
40%
young men always check for rip currents
14
11 10
40%
2 Ot he r of ca the n' se ts \ ay
ne
28%
No
pa pe Re r gu ne lar ws em let ail te r M ag az in e
io
ws
TV
Ra d Ne
Sm
ar
tp
On lin
e
ho Ap ne p
0
Always Most of the time Sometimes Most of the time Always
WHERE YOUNG MEN USUALLY SEEK INFORMATION REGARDING COASTAL SAFETY
HOW OFTEN YOUNG MEN LOOK FOR THE PRESENCE OF RIP CURRENTS
Online platforms were the dominant source of coastal safety information for young males.
Two-thirds of young males always (40%) or most of the time (28%) look for the presence of rip currents before entering the water, yet 9% never do.
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COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
GLOSSARY
Actively patrolled area – Includes main flagged patrolling area as well as areas adjacent to (up to 200m either side of flagged area) and any additional patrolling areas as outlined in the Clubs Patrol Operation Manual (POM) and Lifesaving Service Agreement (LSA). Adult – For the purpose of this report, adult refers to a person 16 years of age and over. ALS – Australian Lifeguard Service. Attempting a Rescue – Trying to retrieve a person in distress and deliver them to a place of safety. AWSC – Australian Water Safety Council also Australian Water Safety Conference. AWSS – Australian Water Safety Strategy. Bay – A body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide mouth, affording access to the sea. Beach – A wave-deposited accumulation of sediment –usually sand, but ranging in size up to boulders, deposited between the upper swash limit and wave base. Blackspot – An area where incidents are concentrated and a high probability/risk of ongoing recurrence. Boating – Using either a powered vessel or sailing boat for recreation and/or fishing. Bystander – A person who is present at an incident but not part of it initially. Coastal – Describes the foreshore, seabed, coastal water and air space above a large body of water (harbour/bay/inlet), including areas up to 3nm offshore and of which the landward boundary is the line of mean high water, except where that line crosses a river/ inlet, the landward boundary at that point shall be the point upstream that is calculated by multiplying the width of the river/inlet mouth by five. (Adopted from the Resource Management Amendment Act 1993 New Zealand). COD – Cause of death. Crude drowning rate – A comparative rate of mortality to the size of the population for a given area or activity. Dangerous surf warning – An alert issued by the Bureau of Meteorology indicating that surf conditions in an area are unsafe
for coastal activities. The warnings are calculated based on wave height, swell direction and swell period and must exceed the predetermined limitations to be in effect. Drowning – The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/ immersion in liquid; outcomes are classified as death, morbidity and no morbidity. Drowning death – A fatal drowning incident arising from the process of respiratory impairment as a result of submersion/immersion in liquid. Drugs – A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced to the body. The category includes therapeutic, over-the-counter and illicit drugs. Emergency response – An action taken by an SLS entity in response to a call for assistance from an emergency management organisation. Falls (trips/slips) – Events that result in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or other lower level. Fatality – A fatal incident arising from circumstances other than drowning (e.g. Medical condition, injury, self-harm, marine creature). First Aid – Assessments and interventions that can be performed by a bystander (or by the victim) with minimal to no equipment. Hazard – A source of potential harm. ILS – International Life Saving Federation. Incident – Any unplanned event requiring lifesaving services intervention. Inshore – The coastal water area within 500m of the low tide area of the foreshore. Intentional fatality – Any intentional incident, including homicide and self-harm related incidents. International – Describes an individual who is confirmed to reside overseas and/or is a temporary visitor to Australia. IRB – Inflatable rescue boat. IRD – Incident report database. A webbased portal used by SLS services to electronically record incident reports.
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Jetty – An artificial structure that projects out into the water from land. JRB – Jet rescue boat. Jump(ing) – The activity of launching off a cliff, rock platform, pier, jetty. A.k.a tombstoning (UK/Europe/North America). Land-based Fishing – The act of attempting to catch fish from anywhere except coastal rock platforms Lifeguard – An individual who undertakes patrols at a beach or another aquatic environment. He/she is typically a salaried member, qualified in public safety and aquatic rescue. Lifejacket – A buoyant or inflatable garment or device designed to keep a person afloat in water and increase their likelihood of survival. Lifesaving Service – A coordinated group that exists to provide aquatic safety services to the public. This includes Surf Life Saving Clubs, Lifeguards, SurfCom, RWCs, RIBs, JRBs, ORBs, Rescue Helicopters and 4WD units. Local Government Area (LGA) – Also known as local councils, LGAs include cities, towns, shires, municipalities or boroughs. Marina – a man-made boat basin having sea walls or breakwaters and offering dockage and other services for water vessels. Marine fauna – macro-organisms (mostly animals) that live within marine systems (e.g., fish species including sharks and rays, estuarine crocodiles, blue-ringed octopus, jellyfish species, sea snakes, etc.). Mean Wave Period – The time it takes for two successive crests (one wavelength) to pass a specified point. The wave period is measured in seconds, e.g. one wave every 6 seconds. The mean is the average wave period. Medical – For the purpose of this report, medical refers to an aquatic incident that was caused by a medical episode, e.g. a heart attack or epileptic seizure. Modal Wave Height – The vertical difference in elevation between the wave crest and the adjacent wave trough. Modal means the middle or median value recorded.
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
NCIS – National Coronial Information System. NCSS – The National Coastal Safety Survey conducted annually to gather information about Australian coastal participation, swimming ability, risk perception, behaviours and attitudes to coastal safety. Non aquatic fatality - Non-aquatic fatalities refer to non-drowning related incidents which have occurred at a coastal location but not in the water. Non aquatic transport – Any form of transport that is not meant for the water such as airplanes, bicycles, and motor vehicles. Offshore – Describes the coastal water area beyond the surf zone and inshore area from 500m to 200nm. Ocean – The seabed, water and air space above the water between 3nm and 12nm (the Australian Territorial Sea) offshore. ORB – Offshore rescue boat. Other – An uncommon known activity not otherwise listed (e.g., paragliding, jogging). Patrol – Service undertaken to monitor activities in/around an aquatic environment and respond accordingly through either preventative actions or rescue operations. Patrol flags – Red and yellow horizontally divided flags which are set after performing a risk assessment to determine the most suitable area for swimming. The flags identify a zone for swimming and bodyboarding within a patrolled location. Patrolled location – A location supervised by a surf lifesaving service. Patrol hours – Time periods when flags are raised and beach is actively patrolled. Minimum lifesaving service times are determined at both the local level (clubs, branch/council) in conjunction with state SLS bodies. Patrol season – Incorporates lifesaving services provided on weekends and public holidays for a minimum duration as outlined in individual Lifesaving Service Agreements. E.g. First day of Spring school holidays to the last Sunday of Autumn.
Preventative action – Direct action taken to reduce or eliminate the probability of a specific rescue, first aid or other reportable incident from happening in the future. PWC – Personal water craft, also known as jet ski. Rescue – The retrieval of a person in distress, delivering them to a place of safety and the application of first aid and basic life support as may be required. Resuscitation – Prevention or restoration of life by establishing and maintaining a person’s airway, breathing and circulation. RIB – Rigid-hull inflatable boat. Rip current – A seaward flowing current of water moving through a surf zone. River – A natural stream of water flowing into an ocean, lake or other body of water. Rock/Cliff – A rock platform that may or may not have a high steep face. Rock Fishing – The act of attempting to catch fish from a coastal rock platform . Rock shelf – A section of rock above or below the water level that projects out from the coast. RWC – Rescue water craft. Scuba Diving – Swimming underwater with the aid of scuba equipment for recreational or commercial purposes. Snorkelling – Swimming with a snorkel and face mask. Includes freediving and spearfishing. SurfCom – SLS radio communications centre that assists in managing the communications of lifesaving operations and data collection. Surf lifesaver – An individual who undertakes patrols at a beach or other aquatic environment. They are typically a nonsalaried member qualified in public safety and aquatic rescue. Surf Life Saving Club – A SLS affiliated not-for-profit organisation that has volunteer members who provide coastal safety services to the community. Swimming – Moving through water by moving the body or parts of the body. Territorial seas – The seaward limits of Australia’s maritime zones, from the
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
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coastline to 12nm from the low tide line. Total Service Plan – An assessment of current and future lifesaving resources, trends, national blackspots and coastal safety issues combined with evidencebased mitigation strategies to address these issues. Toxicity – The degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances is toxic or poisonous to an organism. In the context of this report, toxicity refers to alcohol or drug use by a victim. Unintentional fatality – Deaths other than drowning deaths (such as medical incidents, injury, accidents, or marine creature), excluding homicide and self-harm related incidents. Wading – Walking through water while partially immersed. Watercraft – A piece of non-powered recreational equipment used in water. Examples include surfboards, stand-up paddle boards, bodyboards, windsurfers or kayaks. Young male – For the purpose of this report, young male refers to a person between the ages of 15-39.
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
REFERENCES
METHODOLOGY The Coastal Safety Brief – Young Males contains information on the community behaviours and attitudes towards coastal hazards and safety practices; coastal drowning deaths and other fatalities that have occurred along Australia’s coastline over the 10-year period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2021. Data are from multiple sources and are correct as of 1 December 2021. All care is taken to ensure the statistical information included within this report is correct. However, pending the outcome of ongoing coronial investigations and as SLS state/territory entities update their operational information, this data may be amended. Data in figures may not always add up to 100% due to rounding. Mortality rates were calculated using the number of deaths divided by the population (per head of 100,000 people) from Australian Bureau of Statistics.
3 Lawes JC, Uebelhoer L, Koon W, Strasiotto L, Anne F, Daw S, Brander RW, Mulcahy N, Peden AE (2021). Understanding a population: A methodology for a population-based coastal safety survey. PLoS one. 16(8):e0256202. 4 Commonwealth Office of Best Practice Regulation (2021). Best Practice Regulation Guidance note: Value of statistical life. Accessed online (23/12/2021) https://obpr.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/ files/2021-09/value-of-statistical-life-guidance-note-2020-08.pdf 5 Barnsley PD, Peden AE, Scarr J (2018) Calculating the economic burden of fatal drowning in Australia. Journal of safety research. Dec 1;67:57-63.
Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Report 2021 The Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Report (NCSR) is published annually and contains information on Australian community behaviours and attitudes to the coast; SLS capability and membership capacity; rescues and emergency response; and coastal drowning deaths. The NCSR2021 presents statistics from the period of 1 July 2020 to 30 June 20212. Trend analyses from all coastal deaths (drowning deaths and other fatalities) that have occurred between 1 July 2004 to 31 June 2021 to explore causal factors over time are also included. For the report click here.
This publication is copyright. Except as expressly provided in the Copyright Act 1968 and the Copyright Amendment Act 2006, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted by any means (including electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission from Surf Life Saving Australia.
Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Coastal Safety Survey The annual Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Survey (NCSS) collects Information about community swimming ability, behaviours and attitudes to coastal safety, risk perceptions, safety strategies and rescues3. The survey is conducted by OmniPoll Market Research and is run online each April among a nationally representative sample of approximately 3,050 respondents aged 16 and older. The study is carried out in compliance with ISO 20252 - Market, Social and Opinion Research. To reflect the population distribution, survey results are postweighted (on age, gender, geographic strata and education) and projected to Australian Bureau of Statistics data3. The data presented in the Coastal Safety Brief: Young Males 2022 has been derived from data for Young Males aged 16-39 years extracted from the most recent survey (NCSS2021). Data illustrated in figures may not always add up to 100% due to rounding.
Every attempt has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright, but in some cases this may not have been possible. Surf Life Saving Australia apologises for any accidental infringements and would welcome any information to redress the situation.
© 2021 Surf Life Saving Australia
For enquiries concerning reproduction, contact SLSA on: phone 02 9215 8000; email: info@slsa.asn.au
Acknowledgements SLSA wishes to thank: the Australian Government: Department of Health; National Coronial Information System: Leanne Daking & Jessica Bryan; Department of Justice and Community Safety; the Magistrates Court of Tasmania: Coronial Division; Omnipoll: Frederic Anne; SLS state centres, branches, clubs, support operations and ALS; Anika Martin: design; Shutterstock: images. Suggested Citation Lawes J, Ledger J, Daw S & Cooper B. (2022) Coastal Safety Brief: Young Males. Surf Life Saving Australia: Sydney.
REFERENCES 1 Lawes JC, Ellis A, Daw S, Strasiotto L (2021) Risky business: a 15-year analysis of fatal coastal drowning of young male adults in Australia. Injury prevention. Oct 1;27(5):442-9. 2 Surf Life Saving Australia (2021). National Coastal Safety Report 2021. SLSA: Sydney.
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COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – YOUNG MALES
Draw the line
on Rips.
#dontrisktherip
Stop. Look. Plan. Thousands of people are caught in rips every year, and too many of them drown. Before you cross the line, STOP to check for rips. LOOK for other dangers. PLAN how to stay safe.
Draw the line at beachsafe.org.au