Qld: Men three times more likely to drown on public holiday

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2003
Qld: Men three times more likely to drown on public holiday

BRISBANE, Dec 23 AAP - Men are three times more likely to drown on a public holiday
than on a weekday, according to a study.

A Royal Life Saving (RLSS) drowning report reveals 250 Australians drowned in the nation's
waterways during 2002 - 80 per cent of them men.

Alcohol was a factor in 20 per cent of the drownings.

Based on an analysis of last year's statistics, the report also revealed men aged 15-54
were 300 per cent more likely to drown on a public holiday than a weekday.

Men aged 25-44 are 250 per cent more likely to drown on a public holiday than on a
weekday, while for the 45-54 age group the statistic was even higher, at 400 per cent.

The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia has seized on the findings to warn people,
particularly men, of combining alcohol, swimming and holidays.

"We can assume that high spirits, alcohol and a determination to proceed with plans
are factors which contribute to the massive increase of males drowning on public holidays,"

said RLSS national health and research manager Richard Franklin.

"Often people have made plans for public holidays and long weekends such as boating,
fishing or watercraft activity and they will persevere with those plans regardless of
weather or safety conditions."

AAP jtl/jhm/jv/br

KEYWORD: DROWNING

2003 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.