Police searched for missing fishermen Sarath Kumar, 37, and Ferzil Babu, 34 who were swept off the rocks at Taiharuru in May - two of the four drowning deaths in Northland so far this year.
Police searched for missing fishermen Sarath Kumar, 37, and Ferzil Babu, 34 who were swept off the rocks at Taiharuru in May - two of the four drowning deaths in Northland so far this year.
Water safety experts want people to take more care in and on the water with spring and summer traditionally the worst time for drowning deaths in the region.
Thursday was World Drowning Prevention Day, and the ACC is working with Water Safety NZ (WSNZ) to promote safety around the water across the country.
Northland, with its 2700km of coastline and good weather drawing people to the coast, is a big target area.
Water Safety chief executive Daniel Gerrard said it may be the middle of winter, but the awareness day is a timely reminder to respect the water through all seasons.
In the first six months of 2024 Water Safety provisionally recorded 38 preventable drownings across the country.
The leading regions for preventable drownings are: Auckland (11), Waikato (seven), Northland (four), Hawke’s Bay (four), Canterbury (three) and Wellington (three).
The four people who have drowned in Northland in 2024 is twice as many as the number at the same time last year. In 2023, a total of five people drowned in Northland, and the 10-year average for preventable drownings in Northland is 9.8.
The World Health Organisation’s theme this year for World Drowning Prevention Day is “Seconds can save a life”. Its website says drowning is often a phantom lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce when least expected.
“Drowning is abrupt, silent and shocking, with people often not realising it’s happening until it’s too late,” the United Nations agency says.
“We are still seeing an unacceptable number of preventable deaths,“ Gerrard said. “Especially among older New Zealand males who continue to make risky choices around water.
“We know a lot of New Zealanders love to enjoy the water throughout the winter months, and we want to encourage that in a safe and responsible manner. The water is much colder during the winter period which means you have less margin for error if you get it wrong.”
In 2023, Far North woman Pat Millar started Operation Flotation to help people successfully rescue their loved ones from the water.
In 2023, ACC accepted 18,351 water-related injury claims, which came at a cost of $64 million to help people recover.
ACC accepted 1107 water-related injury claims last year in the Northland region, costing $4.08m. So far in 2024 (to July 15) ACC has accepted 867 water related injury claims in the Northland region.
During the winter months (June, July, and August) in 2023, the activities with the highest number of injury claims were surfing (926), swimming (883), swimming in a pool (316), and boating (126).
Gerrard said it is important for all winter water enthusiasts to be aware of the dangers of ‘cold water shock’. It can lead to an immediate risk of drowning or cardiac arrest. The average winter temperature of our oceans is 15C and inland waters such as lakes, rivers, and waterfalls can be much colder.
“When plunged into cold water our first instinct is to gasp for air with an uncontrollable ‘gasp reflex’. Taking on one large breath of water is enough to prove fatal,” he said.
“Our natural response is to swim hard and fight against the shock. This causes people to lose control of their movements and rapidly increases their heart rate. This lowers the chances of survival. All this happens in under two minutes.”
Rather than panic, Gerrard encouraged people who fall into the water to lie back, relax and float.
“Floating on your back gives you the best chance of survival if you’re in trouble in the water. The four key tips to remember are float, breathe, signal, and survive.”
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said World Drowning Prevention Day is an opportunity to be more mindful of the risks in and around the water. “A drowning is a devastating event for any whānau, and community and our hearts go out to every family who has lost a loved one,” he said.
“Most of these tragic drownings are preventable if we take the time to consider the risks.”
ACC partners with Water Safety NZ to keep children safe in and around water, as the principal partner of the ACC Water Skills for Life programme.
Northland’s surf lifeguards - who patrol beaches at Ruakākā, Waipu Cove, Mangawhai Heads, Ahipara and Ocean Beach, Whangārei, are at the frontline of preventing drownings on surf beaches in Northland, But they only patrol from Labour Day to Easter.
Water safety tips:
■ How to Float first:
Float first, lie back with your ears underwater, chin up, move your hands to help you float. It’s okay if your feet sink. Ignore your instinct to swim.
■ Be aware of the dangers – check for rips and currents, snags and rocks and don’t consume alcohol before a swim, dive, or going fishing.
■ Know your limits - do you know how to swim? If not, stay out. Remember, you will never be able to swim in the ocean as well as in a pool and cold water will make you tired.
