Key Facts

• Many drowning incidents begin with an unexpected fall into water rather than intentional swimming.
• Slippery surfaces, unstable ground, alcohol, and distraction all increase the likelihood of accidental entry.
• Unintentional falls often catch people off-guard, leading to panic, inhalation of water, and difficulty recovering—especially for weak or non-swimmers.
• Toddlers, older adults, and people with impaired mobility or balance are at significantly higher risk.

Safety Guidance

• Take care around the edges of pools, rivers, lakes, and rock platforms—surfaces may be wet, uneven, or unstable.
• Walk, don’t run, near water; wear appropriate footwear with good grip.
• Supervise children closely, especially near unfenced or natural water.
• Avoid distractions (e.g., phones) when walking close to water or supervising others.
• Stay well back from the edge in high-risk locations such as riverbanks, flooded areas, or coastal rock platforms.
• If you fall in unexpectedly, try to remain calm, float on your back, and signal for help.

Key Facts

• Many drowning incidents involve people with medical conditions such as heart disease, epilepsy, diabetes, respiratory illness, and cognitive impairment.
• Medical episodes in or near water can escalate rapidly, giving little time to react.
• Some medications can increase fatigue, dizziness, or confusion, reducing a person’s ability to stay safe in the water.

Safety Guidance

• Seek medical advice before swimming if you have a condition that may affect your safety.
• Always swim with someone who is aware of your condition and knows how to respond in an emergency.
• Choose safe, controlled aquatic environments, such as public pools with lifeguards.
• Avoid deep or challenging water, strong currents, or sudden temperature changes.
• Carry required medication (e.g., asthma reliever, glucose) and keep it close to the water’s edge.
• If you feel unwell, stop immediately, exit the water, and seek help early.

Key Facts

• Floods, storms, and flash flooding are a leading cause of drowning during severe weather events.
• Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles when people attempt to drive through moving or hidden water.
• Fast-moving floodwater can sweep away cars, uproot trees, and hide debris, drop-offs, or damaged roads.
• Drowning risk increases during heavy rain, poor visibility, and unexpected water level rises.

Safety Guidance

• Never drive, ride, or walk through floodwater — it is impossible to know its depth, flow, or what lies beneath.
• Follow emergency warnings, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from swollen rivers, drains, and creek crossings.
• Move to higher ground early if flooding is possible and keep updated via VicEmergency.
• Secure loose items, avoid outdoor water activities during storms, and seek shelter from lightning and strong winds.
• After floods, stay clear of contaminated water and unstable banks or structures.

Key Facts

• Rips are the leading hazard on Australia’s beaches and are involved in most coastal drowning deaths.
• Rips can move faster than an Olympic swimmer, pulling people away from shore unexpectedly.
• Many people don’t recognise a rip — they often appear as calm, deeper, or darker gaps between breaking waves.

Safety Guidance

• Always swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags, where lifeguards actively monitor for rips.
• Before entering the water, stop and check for rip currents — look for deeper channels, darker water, or a gap in breaking waves.
• If you are caught in a rip: stay calm, float to conserve energy, and raise your hand for help.
• Do not try to swim directly against the rip. Swim parallel to the shore towards breaking waves or white water, then head back in safely.
• Never enter the water to rescue someone caught in a rip — call 000, alert lifeguards, or throw a flotation aid instead.

Facts

• Sudden immersion in cold water can cause an involuntary gasp, hyperventilation, and rapid loss of muscle control.
• Cold water significantly increases the risk of drowning, even for strong swimmers.
• Many Victorian waterways — including bays, rivers, and alpine lakes — remain cold year-round.

Safety guidance

• Enter cold water slowly to allow your breathing and body to adjust.
• Wear a wetsuit or thermal protective clothing when swimming, paddling, diving, or boating in cold conditions.
• Always supervise children closely around cold water and avoid swimming alone.
• If you fall into cold water, try to stay calm, float, and focus on controlling your breathing before attempting to swim.

Key Facts

• Fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet in as little as 20–30 cm of depth.
• Most flood and river-related drownings occur when people underestimate the speed and force of moving water.
• Cold temperatures, submerged hazards, and unstable banks increase the risk of being swept away.

Safety Guidance

• Stay out of fast-moving water — do not enter creeks, rivers, or drains during or after heavy rain.
• Keep well back from the edge of swollen rivers, flooded drains, and spillways; banks can collapse without warning.
• Never attempt to swim, wade, or rescue someone in swift water — call 000 for specialist help.
• When travelling, avoid areas known for flash flooding or fast-flowing waterways during extreme weather.