Respect the River: New river drowning campaign to be unveiled as Murray tops list of black spots
The Murray River, Brisbane River and Yarra River have been named the top three river drowning black spots as new research from the Royal Life Saving Society shows almost 1,000 people have drowned in Australian rivers since 2002.
The not-for-profit along with the Federal Government is launching a national drowning prevention and public awareness campaign called Respect the River, on the banks of the Murray River in Albury today with Health Minister Sussan Ley.
According to the new statistics, alcohol is known to be involved in 40 per cent of drowning deaths, with one in five drowning victims recording a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit or higher.
National Manager for Research and Policy at the Royal Life Saving Society Amy Peden said many of the drownings could have been preventable.
"It's a significant amount of alcohol being consumed it's not a couple of drinks so unfortunately with that amount of alcohol being consumed you're not going to make the best decisions and risk taking behaviour can creep in," Ms Peden told ABC News.
"But also rivers can be quite deceptive they look calm and still on the surface but underneath the water is very murky, there's submerged hazards."
Nine in 10 drowning victims in the Murray River, the river that tops the list of black spots, are male.
Watercraft incidents account for the largest proportion of drowning deaths at 31 per cent. Sixty-eight people have drowned in the Murray River since 2002.
"We think that men tend to go out and recreate more than women around these river environments," Ms Peden said, adding the society saw several men each year driving or operating watercraft while under the influence of alcohol.
"It's really to encourage everyone, but men in particular, given the overwhelming number of men in these drowning statistics. We're urging people to be really safe this summer and really respect the river."
National top 10 river drowning black spots (2002-2012)
1. Murray River
2. Brisbane River (QLD)
3. Yarra River (VIC)
4. Swan River (WA)
5. Hawkesbury River (NSW)
6. Murrumbidgee River (NSW)
7. Sandy Creek (QLD)
8. Derwent River (TAS)
9. Katherine River (NT)
10. Macquarie River (NSW)