Every year, World Drowning Prevention Day - held this year on Friday, 25 July - reminds us of a sobering reality: over 300,000 people die globally from drowning each year.
In Australia, the numbers consistently tell a worrying story - men account for more than 80% of all drowning deaths, with those aged 18 to 64 most at risk.
To mark the occasion in 2025, Royal Life Saving Australia is once again urging individuals, communities, aquatic centres and workplaces to ‘Go Blue’ in support of safer water practices. For men, this message is particularly urgent.
Men are far more likely to take risks in and around water, often underestimating the dangers, especially in inland waterways like rivers, creeks, lakes and dams.
The statistics are striking:
- 82% of all drowning deaths in Australia are male
- 1 in 4 drownings happen in inland waterways
- 23% of drowning deaths involve alcohol, with blood alcohol levels above 0.05%
- 41 alcohol-related drownings occur in rivers and creeks annually
According to the National Drowning Report (2024), 323 people drowned over the previous 12 months, 16% higher than the 10-year average. Worryingly, 25% were born overseas, reinforcing the need for culturally inclusive education and communication - especially around high-risk activities like rock fishing, which is considered the most dangerous sport in Australia.
Make the Right Call: Look After Your Mates
Royal Life Saving’s ongoing campaign - Make the Right Call - is a call to action for men. Whether you're fishing, swimming, boating or relaxing by the water, this campaign urges Aussie men to:
- Avoid drinking alcohol before or during water activities
- Wear a life jacket, especially in small vessels or when fishing off rocks
- Never go alone: drownings are more likely when no one is there to help
- Look after your mates: speak up if someone is taking unnecessary risks
Men are naturally drawn to solitary time near water, but this habit comes with risks. In boating alone, or fishing alone, the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
Young Men and Drowning: Renewing Focus on Prevention
In October 2023, Royal Life Saving Australia brought together leaders in drowning prevention and men’s health to prioritise strategies for young men aged 15–29. The workshop, which included the Australian Men’s Health Forum, resolved to:
- Expand high-school water safety education
- Establish a youth-focused drowning prevention advisory group
- Integrate drowning prevention messaging into existing men’s health initiatives
Importantly, future efforts will take cues from the Australian Men’s Health Forum’s Guide to Male-Friendly Services, ensuring that messages are targeted, engaging, and empowering. That means:
- Speaking directly to men in their language
- Meeting men where they are (footy clubs, worksites, fishing spots)
- Focusing on strengths, mateship and action
Learn more: Royal Life Saving Australia – World Drowning Prevention Day
Check out the Guide to Male-Friendly Services