Surf Life Saving Australia’s national coastal safety report shows there were 20 coastal drownings in WA

A bulletproof mentality among some middle-aged men might be contributing to some of the fatal drownings occurring off the WA coastline. Surf Life Saving Australia’s national coastal safety report to be released on Friday shows WA experienced 41 drowning deaths in 2023/24, of which 20 occurred in coastal environments such as the beach or offshore. And whilst the 20 coastal drowning deaths is one less than the previous financial year, it is slightly above the ten-year average of 19. Alarmingly, the coastal safety report shows men continue to be overrepresented in coastal drownings — accounting for 90 per cent of such cases. Men aged between 40-49 accounted for more than a third of all coastal drowning deaths last financial year, while men aged 60-69 made up nearly a quarter of cases. Swimming accounted for 40 per cent of the coastal drowning deaths last financial year in WA. The new report also shows Surf Life Saving Australia crews performed a staggering 680 rescues at WA beaches in 2023/24. More than 3700 first aid treatments were also given and 1074 shark alarms were also activated. Surf Life Saving WA department manager Cam Robbins said there could be a bulletproof mentality behind some of the drownings involving men that are happening in WA. “I think what they do is they think they are bulletproof,” Mr Robbins said. “All they have to do is get caught in a rip or panic stations (kick in) when you’re a little bit older and you try and push off the sandbank underneath and there is no sand there.” A spate of children drowning and near-drowning incidents has prompted the Cook Labor Government to make summer holiday VacSwim lessons free this year. Speaking to reporters at the Balga public swimming pool this week, Premier Roger Cook and Education Minister Tony Buti said the free lessons would save families with two children $214 on the 10-day program. The announcement comes after the drowning deaths of two six-year-olds in the Swan River on New Year’s Eve, and the near drowning of two 10-year-olds in early January in North Coogee.