Spike in women drownings sounds alarm as summer looms

There have been 59 deaths in the past financial year, an increase of 33 per cent compared to the decade average, according to Life Saving Victoria's Drowning report.

Men continue to represent the majority of drownings with 42 deaths in the past year in the state.

But authorities are concerned about the rate of drowning in women, which has surged by 50 per cent compared to the 10-year average with 17 deaths in 2022-23.

People aged over 45 accounted for more than half of the drowning figures with swimming, paddling or wading the most dangerous activities for the age group.

With predictions of the hottest summer on record this season, Life Saving Victoria is concerned about a spike in deaths as heatwaves and floods accounted for eight deaths last year - the highest on record.

Life Saving Victoria's research manager Hannah Calverley has urged people looking to cool off in the hot weather this summer to visit patrolled waterways to stay safe.

"With more expected events ahead of us we're urging Victorians to be vigilant when seeking a waterway to cool off," she said.

More than two in five people who drowned in the past year died at a waterway close to home.

Beaches continue to be the most dangerous location for drownings with 19 deaths in the past year but home drownings, including in the bathtub or spa, has jumped to nine compared to about four deaths compared to the decade average.

Regional Victorians were 1.5 times more likely to drown compared to their city counterparts but city people made up two thirds of drowning deaths in 2022/23.

The spike in deaths around the home environment was a wake up call for Victorians to remain vigilant wherever they are, Dr Calverley said.

Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said the sobering numbers were a reminder that hundreds of people are affected every year by drownings that are nearly all preventable.

Australian Associated Press