Drowning In New Zealand As an Island nation blessed with beautiful beaches, a spectacular coastline...

DrowningIn

New Zealand

As an Island nation blessed with beautiful beaches, a spectacular coastline and many magnificent lakes and rivers it is no surprise that New Zealanders like to spend so much time in and around water.

It’s something we take for granted. It’s fun, familiar and…

It’s something we take for granted. It’s fun, familiar and…

A COLD KILLER

Drowning – A DefinitionDrowning has been identified as a major global health

problem. In 2002 world experts in clinical medicine, injury epidemiology, education and rescue developed an

internationally accepted definition for drowning.Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory

impairment from submersion/ immersion in liquid.1 It is important to note that the definition allows for both

cases of fatal and non-fatal drowning which it is believed will lead to more reliable and comprehensive

information on this global public health problem.It is salutary that in New Zealand, for every one fatality

there are 8 near fatal drowning incidents.

“Researchers have shown that a human in a drowning situation holds their breathe for 87 seconds. That’s how long the instinct not to

breathe can overcome the thought of running out of air; how long a sort of clear headedness lasts.

Eighty-seven is the break point.Until the break point a drowning person is said to be

undergoing “voluntary apnea” – choosing not to breathe. Lack of oxygen to the brain causes a

sensation of darkness closing in from all sides. The panic of a drowning person is mixed with the

odd incredulity that this is actually happening. Having never drowned before the body and the

mind do not know how to die gracefully.

When the first involuntary breath is taken most people are still conscious, which is unfortunate because the only thing more unpleasant than

running out of air is breathing water. At this point the person goes from voluntary to involuntary

apnea and the drowning begins in earnest.A spasmodic breath drags water into the mouth and

windpipe and then one of two things happens. In about 10 percent of people water touching the

vocal cords triggers an immediate contraction in the muscles around the larynx. This is called

laryngospasm and it’s so powerful that it overcomes the breathing reflex and eventually

suffocates the person. A person with laryngospasm dies without water in the lungs.

In the other 90 per cent of people water floods the lungs and ends any warning transfer of oxygen to the blood. The clock is running down now; half-conscious and enfeebled by oxygen depletion, the

drowning person is in no condition to fight.They have suffered for a minute or two. Their bodies,

having imposed increasingly drastic measures to keep functioning, have finally started to shut down. Only the brain is alive, but its electrical

activity gets weaker and weaker until, after 15-20 minutes, it ceases altogether.”

(Copyright 1997 Sebastian Junger. Published by Fourth Estate. Reproduced with permission of

Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency.)

Drowning in New Zealand

Facts:


Facts:

* On average, (last five years) around 126 die in water every year in New Zealand.


Facts:


* Drowning is New Zealand’s third highest cause of accidental death.


Facts:



* New Zealand has almost double Australia’s drowning rate.

Drowning in New ZealandFacts:



* New Zealand has almost double Australia’s drowning rate.

* New Zealand’s drowning rate is over 4 times that of Great Britain.




* New Zealand has almost double Australia’s drowning rate and over 4 times that of Great

Britain.* More people drown in rivers than in any other

NZ aquatic environment. In the past twenty years, 945 people have drowned in NZ rivers.




* New Zealand has almost double Australia’s drowning rate and over 4 times that of Great Britain.

* More people drown in rivers than in any other NZ aquatic environment. In the past twenty years, 945 people have

drowned in NZ rivers.* On average, four children under five drown in pools

per annum.


* New Zealanders grow up with water. It is a cold killer! On average, (last five years) around 126 die in water every year in New

Zealand.* Drowning is New Zealand’s third highest cause of accidental

death. * New Zealand has almost double Australia’s drowning rate and

over 4 times that of Great Britain.* More people drown in rivers than in any other NZ aquatic

environment. In the past twenty years, 945 people have drowned in NZ rivers.

* On average, four children under five drown in pools per annum.* Pacific Islanders make up 8% of the child population, yet they

make up 15% of drownings nationally.





* More people drown in rivers than in any other NZ aquatic environment. In the past twenty years, 945 people have drowned in

NZ rivers.* On average, four children under five drown in pools per annum.* Pacific Islanders make up 8% of the child population, yet they

make up 15% of drownings nationally.* Maori children make up 25% of the child population, yet they

make up 33% of drownings nationally.





* More people drown in rivers than in any other NZ aquatic environment. In the past twenty years, 945 people have drowned in

NZ rivers.* On average, four children under five drown in pools per annum.* Pacific Islanders make up 8% of the child population, yet they

make up 15% of drownings nationally.* Maori children make up 25% of the child population, yet they

make up 33% of drownings nationally.* Nearly 80% of all NZ drownings are male.

Is it improving?

Is it improving?

Yes

New Zealand Average Drowning Toll 1980-2006

New Zealand Average Drowning Toll 1980-2006

The annual average drowning toll has decreased significantly. 1980's = 181 per annum average 1990's = 143 per annum average

2000-2006 (7 years) = 121 per annum average 59%* of all drownings are a result of non-recreational

accidents, ie. drownings which (primarily) occur when there was no intention of entering the water. Non-recreation

accidents which result in death by drowning are a risk to all in the community.

41%* of all drownings are as a result of participation in water recreation, such as boating, swimming, fishing, diving and

canoeing, etc. In excess of 77% of all drownings are male victims.

* (1980-2006 DrownBase™ Statistics)

However……….

However……….

Drowning Toll for 2007 Increases

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has released drowning statistics for the year to date. There were five drowning deaths during the month of June which raises the 2007 year to date drowning toll to 53. At the same time last year a record low of 46 drowning deaths had occurred in New Zealand, on the way to a record low annual toll of 89.

As at 13th July, it now stands at 55.

Drowning In New Zealand As an Island nation blessed with beautiful beaches, a spectacular coastline...

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