A new report from Royal Life Saving Australia indicates a record increase in drowning fatalities among Australians aged 65 and over. In the 2024/25 period, 115 lives were lost in this demographic, marking the highest annual figure on record and a 55% increase compared to the 10-year average. Older Australians, who constitute 16% of the national population, now account for 26% of all drowning deaths.
Key Findings from the Report
Over the past decade, a total of 736 drowning deaths were recorded among individuals aged 65 and above. The report identifies several factors contributing to the risk for older individuals, including pre-existing medical conditions, reduced mobility, and unintentional falls.
Specific statistics highlighted in the report include:
- 115 deaths occurred in 2024/25, representing the highest recorded annual figure.
- 57% of those who drowned had a pre-existing medical condition, with 75% of these being cardiovascular-related.
- Of those with a recorded medical condition, 31% had a condition that directly contributed to their death.
- 54% of deaths involved individuals aged 65-74 years.
- The most common locations for incidents were beaches (24%) and rivers/creeks (22%).
- 25% of incidents occurred within 0-5km of home, and an additional 26% happened on residential property.
- Leading activities prior to drowning were swimming and boating, followed by unintentional falls into water.
Risk Patterns Across Age Groups
The report outlines distinct patterns of drowning risk across different older age cohorts:
- 65-74 years: This group is noted as highly active, often traveling further to beaches and waterways. Swimming and boating were frequently reported activities prior to drowning incidents.
- 75-84 years: Individuals in this group exhibited a similar recreational profile, though unintentional falls became a more prevalent contributing factor.
- 85+ years: Incidents for this age group were more likely to occur at home or on residential property, with unintentional falls identified as the primary precursor to drowning.
Recommendations for Prevention
Dr. Justin Scarr, CEO of Royal Life Saving Australia, stated that these findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies as Australia's population ages. He noted that while older Australians benefit from being active near water, a better understanding and management of associated risks are required.
To address the rise in drowning incidents among older Australians and align with the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030, Royal Life Saving Australia proposes a focus on three key areas:
- Supporting Healthy Ageing Agenda: Integrating water safety into existing falls prevention and broader healthy aging programs.
- Lifelong Aquatic Engagement: Encouraging older Australians to remain active in water environments while promoting awareness of personal limits and evolving physical capabilities.
- Managing Medical Conditions: Advocating for regular health check-ups, awareness of medication side effects, and safe management of cardiovascular and other health conditions when near water.
The objective, as reiterated by Dr. Scarr, is to ensure older Australians can safely participate in and enjoy water activities, rather than discouraging engagement.