Drowning In New Zealand

Drowning In New Zealand

Drowning in New Zealand: The number of drownings in New Zealand waters: - on average, about 125 new Zealanders drown every year OECD comparison: - our drownings per capita are the 2 nd worst of all 42 O.E.C.D. Countries Are the figures increasing or decreasing: - thankfully our figures are decreasing. Last year we had our lowest number ever recorded. However, in 2007 the number seems to be going up again Why does New Zealand have one of the worst drowning rates: - to answer this accurately we have to look at a number of factors

Geographical reasons: The accessibility of swimming water: - Every New Zealander is only 2 ½ hrs from the ocean - New Zealand has nearly as much coastline as the USA - New Zealand is abundant with swimming places ie. sea, rivers, lakes, ponds, pools (both public and private). When the weather is hot enough, most Kiwi’s can choose a swimming venue near their home.

Geographical reasons: The accessibility of swimming water: - Every New Zealander is only 2 ½ hrs from the ocean - New Zealand has nearly as much coastline as the USA - New Zealand is abundant with swimming places ie. sea, rivers, lakes, ponds, pools (both public and private). When the weather is hot enough, most Kiwi’s can choose a swimming venue near their home. The dangerous nature of New Zealand waters: - New Zealand seas are unprotected by islands or nearby countries. As a result, the swells that hit our shores are large and powerful, having gathered force directly from the oceans. Hence, beaches like Piha, can cause serious problems to recreational swimmers when a big tide is in.

Geographical reasons: The accessibility of swimming water: - Every New Zealander is only 2 ½ hrs from the ocean - New Zealand has nearly as much coastline as the USA - New Zealand is abundant with swimming places ie. sea, rivers, lakes, ponds, pools (both public and private). When the weather is hot enough, most Kiwi’s can choose a swimming venue near their home. The dangerous nature of New Zealand waters: - New Zealand seas are unprotected by islands or nearby countries. As a result, the swells that hit our shores are large and powerful, having gathered force directly from the oceans. Hence, beaches like Piha, can cause serious problems to recreational swimmers when a big tide is in. What role rivers play: - More people drown in rivers than in any other New Zealand aquatic environment - Many people who have drowned in rivers have no intention of being in the river at all - About 58% of people who drown in rivers either fell in, were washed away or crashes into the rivers in their cars - 80% of people who have drowned trying to cross rivers, were trying to cross while the river was in flood.

Cultural reasons: - migrants and cultural attitudes to water - Maori and cultural attitudes to water - 84 percent of Maori who drown are male - Maori children account for 44 percent of all children under five years of age who drown - nearly half (46%) of all Maori children who drown do so while swimming - improper or no supervision is the main cause of Maori children drowning - multi-cultural NZ - tourists and information - what role the government plays in water safety?

Attitudes and knowledge surrounding water safety: - “She’ll be right mate.” - critical information - educations role

Barriers that prevent people from learning to swim: Finance: - 0bvious reasons, swimming costs money ie. pool entry, clothing, equipment. This is a barrier to a percentages of our society who do not see the importance of learning to swim or have the financial means to support this leisure activity. Accessibility to community pools: - there are over 270 public pools in New Zealand. This is an excellent number, however, swimming costs money. Tuition/coaching: - swimming coaching schools exist throughout the country. However, an average cost of 10 lessons is between $250 -$300. Tuition and teaching used to take place in schools themselves, however, primary teachers are not qualified to teach swimming unless they have a qualified certificate. As a result, many primary schools are not updating their old facilities and abandoning their pools, as the up grades are to expensive. Fear: - aquaphobia is a specific phobia, an abnormal and persistent fear of water. It involves a level of fear that is beyond control and may interfere with daily life. People suffering from aquaphobia may experience anxiety near water. This can seriously effect a person aquatic experiences and development.

Practices that result in effective provisions for safety: - signage Fencing Act - public information/education - surf life saving NZ - what role the government plays in water safety? - what role volunteers play in water safety? - what practices result in an effective water safety programme?

1987 Fencing Act Swimming pool fences save lives! New Zealand has one of the highest drowning tolls amongst OECD countries. Since the introduction of the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 the number of children who drown in home pools has declined by 60%. Prior to the Act coming into force, the average drownings of children for the period was 10. The average child drownings inhome pools over the past five years has been reduced to four per annum.

1987 Fencing Act Swimming pool fences save lives! New Zealand has one of the highest drowning tolls amongst OECD countries. Since the introduction of the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 the number of children who drown in home pools has declined by 60%. Prior to the Act coming into force, the average drownings of children for the period was 10. The average child drownings inhome pools over the past five years has been reduced to four per annum. There remain over 25,000 unfenced home pools around the country. They each represent an injury or death waiting to happen.