Kiwis Slow To Learn Water Safety Behaviour

Water Safety New Zealand today released drowning statistics for the month of April 2010, reporting that there were seven drowning deaths over the 30 day period.

There have been a total of 37 drowning deaths in New Zealand for the year to date 1 January – 30 April. This is the second lowest number of drowning deaths recorded for the first 4 months of a calendar year in the last 20 years. At the same point last year there were 44 drowning deaths recorded.

Of the seven fatal incidents six were the result of the victim participating in recreational activity. The one non-recreational incident involved a motor vehicle.

Water Safety New Zealand General Manager, Matt Claridge, while pleased with the relative low toll at this point of the year, expressed ongoing concern at the proportion of recreational drownings.

"Many of the incidents reported this month have contributing factors consistent with drowning deaths earlier in the year. Errors in judgement relating to the conditions and judging ability are continuing to be a primary determinant for people drowning".

Claridge concludes, "water safety education is vital to reducing drowning incidents. Most importantly: familiarisation and ability, support enjoying the water safely, regardless of the environment or activity".