Synopsis

Fifteen children aged up to 14 years drowned in Victoria in July 2020 to June 2021.  This is an alarming increase on the 10-year average of four child drowning deaths per year.

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is the peak agency in the State for water safety recognised by the Victorian Government. LSV analyses data on fatal and non-fatal drownings each year among people of all ages, to identify prevention and risk-mitigation strategies and inform education programs. The 2020-21 Victorian Drowning Report was published at the beginning of this summer, which has not started well in terms of drownings.  This issue concerns everybody, and as individuals, health care workers and health institutions we have a role to play.

Speaker

Dr Hannah Calverley is the Manager – Research and Evaluation at LSV in Port Melbourne. Hannah works on research and evaluation of injury prevention and water safety issues. Key areas include: swimming and water safety education programs; lifesaving service delivery; water competency among children and older adults; inland waterways drowning prevention; public pool safety; multicultural water safety campaigns and international drowning prevention. Hannah is one of the co-authors of the 2020-21 Victorian Drowning Report. https://lsv.com.au/research/victorian-drowning-reports/