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Quantifying rip current-related drowning deaths and exposure on Australian beaches.

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Title: Quantifying rip current-related drowning deaths and exposure on Australian beaches.
Authors: Kelly S; Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sean.kelly@sls.com.au.; Research, Surf Life Saving Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia., Ledger J; Research, Surf Life Saving Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia., Koon W; UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia., Brander R; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia., Peden AE; University of New South Wales School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia., Daw S; Coastal Safety, Surf Life Saving Australia, Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia., Lawes JC; Research, Surf Life Saving Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Source: Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention [Inj Prev] 2026 Sep 28; Vol. 32 (5), pp. 871-877. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 28.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: BMJ Pub. Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9510056 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1475-5785 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13538047 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Inj Prev Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: London : BMJ Pub. Group, c1995-
MeSH Terms: Drowning*/mortality , Drowning*/prevention & control , Drowning*/epidemiology , Bathing Beaches*/statistics & numerical data , Tidal Waves*, Australia/epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Risk Factors
Abstract: Background: Rip currents are the leading coastal hazard on Australian beaches and a significant contributor to coastal drowning. This comprehensive study explored the long-term epidemiology and exposure-based mortality rates of Australian rip current drowning deaths, with the purpose of informing rip-related education efforts to reduce coastal drowning risk.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of rip current drowning deaths between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2023 was conducted, and rip current involvement was determined using data triangulation methods (incident narrative, beach imagery and expert opinion). Temporal trends were examined using Joinpoint regression, while Australian population and coastal participation data were used to calculate mortality rates.
Results: 407 rip current drowning deaths were identified (21 deaths/year); an exposure-based mortality rate of 0.11/1 million coastal visits. Incidents predominantly involved males (85%), 20-34 years (38%), occurred in regional/remote areas (59%) and in the presence of others (80%). For every rip current drowning death, an estimated 2449 people were rescued by someone else and 8171 individuals self-rescued.
Discussion: Despite small reductions in the rate of rip current drowning among males, little overall progress has been seen in attempts to decrease the mortality burden. Future efforts will require an expanded approach, beyond traditional means.
Conclusions: Rip currents remain a significant public health threat and the number one coastal hazard contributing to preventable mortality along Australia's coastline.
Implications for Public Health: Improved rip current education approaches, development and evaluation are needed to direct effective messaging to at-risk groups.
(© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)
Competing Interests: Competing interests: Authors, SK, Jaz Lawes and JL, are employees of Surf Life Saving Australia and receive a salary from the organisation. All authors of the paper are members of the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, who receive funding from Surf Life Saving Australia.
References: Health Promot J Austr. 2024 Apr;35(2):551-564. (PMID: 37549041)
Inj Prev. 2022 Aug;28(4):330-334. (PMID: 35074861)
Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Nov;49:209-215. (PMID: 34144263)
Inj Epidemiol. 2019 May 13;6:17. (PMID: 31245266)
Heliyon. 2023 Jul 08;9(7):e18104. (PMID: 37483795)
PLoS One. 2023 May 18;18(5):e0285928. (PMID: 37200297)
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2023 Apr;47(2):100034. (PMID: 36963121)
BMC Public Health. 2023 Nov 8;23(1):2193. (PMID: 37940894)
Accid Anal Prev. 2015 Sep;82:70-8. (PMID: 26056968)
Inj Prev. 2021 Oct;27(5):442-449. (PMID: 33239312)
PLoS One. 2020 Sep 16;15(9):e0238317. (PMID: 32936817)
PLoS One. 2021 Aug 13;16(8):e0256202. (PMID: 34388222)
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2019 Oct;43(5):477-483. (PMID: 31180612)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Drowning; Epidemiology; Risk/Determinants
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250409 Date Completed: 20260928 Latest Revision: 20261008
Update Code: 20261008
PubMed Central ID: PMC13638349
DOI: 10.1136/ip-2024-045565
PMID: 40204345
Database: MEDLINE
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  Data: Quantifying rip current-related drowning deaths and exposure on Australian beaches.
– Name: Author
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Kelly+S%22">Kelly S</searchLink>; Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sean.kelly@sls.com.au.; Research, Surf Life Saving Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Ledger+J%22">Ledger J</searchLink>; Research, Surf Life Saving Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Koon+W%22">Koon W</searchLink>; UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Brander+R%22">Brander R</searchLink>; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Peden+AE%22">Peden AE</searchLink>; University of New South Wales School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Daw+S%22">Daw S</searchLink>; Coastal Safety, Surf Life Saving Australia, Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Lawes+JC%22">Lawes JC</searchLink>; Research, Surf Life Saving Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%229510056%22">Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention</searchLink> [Inj Prev] 2026 Sep 28; Vol. 32 (5), pp. 871-877. <i>Date of Electronic Publication: </i>2026 Sep 28.
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  Data: English
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  Data: <i>Publisher: </i><searchLink fieldCode="PB" term="%22BMJ+Pub%2E+Group%22">BMJ Pub. Group </searchLink><i>Country of Publication: </i>England <i>NLM ID: </i>9510056 <i>Publication Model: </i>Electronic <i>Cited Medium: </i>Internet <i>ISSN: </i>1475-5785 (Electronic) <i>Linking ISSN: </i><searchLink fieldCode="IS" term="%2213538047%22">13538047 </searchLink><i>NLM ISO Abbreviation: </i>Inj Prev <i>Subsets: </i>MEDLINE
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  Data: <i>Original Publication</i>: London : BMJ Pub. Group, c1995-
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Drowning%22">Drowning*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Drowning+mortality%22">mortality</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Drowning%22">Drowning*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Drowning+prevention+%26+control%22">prevention & control</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Drowning%22">Drowning*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Drowning+epidemiology%22">epidemiology</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Bathing+Beaches%22">Bathing Beaches*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Bathing+Beaches+statistics+%26+numerical+data%22">statistics & numerical data</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Tidal+Waves%22">Tidal Waves*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Australia+epidemiology%22">epidemiology</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Male%22">Male</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Female%22">Female</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Retrospective+Studies%22">Retrospective Studies</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Adult%22">Adult</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Middle+Aged%22">Middle Aged</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Adolescent%22">Adolescent</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Young+Adult%22">Young Adult</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Aged%22">Aged</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Child%22">Child</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Child%2C+Preschool%22">Child, Preschool</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Infant%22">Infant</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Risk+Factors%22">Risk Factors</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Rip currents are the leading coastal hazard on Australian beaches and a significant contributor to coastal drowning. This comprehensive study explored the long-term epidemiology and exposure-based mortality rates of Australian rip current drowning deaths, with the purpose of informing rip-related education efforts to reduce coastal drowning risk.<br />Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of rip current drowning deaths between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2023 was conducted, and rip current involvement was determined using data triangulation methods (incident narrative, beach imagery and expert opinion). Temporal trends were examined using Joinpoint regression, while Australian population and coastal participation data were used to calculate mortality rates.<br />Results: 407 rip current drowning deaths were identified (21 deaths/year); an exposure-based mortality rate of 0.11/1 million coastal visits. Incidents predominantly involved males (85%), 20-34 years (38%), occurred in regional/remote areas (59%) and in the presence of others (80%). For every rip current drowning death, an estimated 2449 people were rescued by someone else and 8171 individuals self-rescued.<br />Discussion: Despite small reductions in the rate of rip current drowning among males, little overall progress has been seen in attempts to decrease the mortality burden. Future efforts will require an expanded approach, beyond traditional means.<br />Conclusions: Rip currents remain a significant public health threat and the number one coastal hazard contributing to preventable mortality along Australia's coastline.<br />Implications for Public Health: Improved rip current education approaches, development and evaluation are needed to direct effective messaging to at-risk groups.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Competing Interests
  Group: Ab
  Data: Competing interests: Authors, SK, Jaz Lawes and JL, are employees of Surf Life Saving Australia and receive a salary from the organisation. All authors of the paper are members of the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, who receive funding from Surf Life Saving Australia.
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  Data: Health Promot J Austr. 2024 Apr;35(2):551-564. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237549041%22">37549041)</searchLink><br />Inj Prev. 2022 Aug;28(4):330-334. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235074861%22">35074861)</searchLink><br />Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Nov;49:209-215. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234144263%22">34144263)</searchLink><br />Inj Epidemiol. 2019 May 13;6:17. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2231245266%22">31245266)</searchLink><br />Heliyon. 2023 Jul 08;9(7):e18104. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237483795%22">37483795)</searchLink><br />PLoS One. 2023 May 18;18(5):e0285928. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237200297%22">37200297)</searchLink><br />Aust N Z J Public Health. 2023 Apr;47(2):100034. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236963121%22">36963121)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2023 Nov 8;23(1):2193. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237940894%22">37940894)</searchLink><br />Accid Anal Prev. 2015 Sep;82:70-8. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2226056968%22">26056968)</searchLink><br />Inj Prev. 2021 Oct;27(5):442-449. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2233239312%22">33239312)</searchLink><br />PLoS One. 2020 Sep 16;15(9):e0238317. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2232936817%22">32936817)</searchLink><br />PLoS One. 2021 Aug 13;16(8):e0256202. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234388222%22">34388222)</searchLink><br />Aust N Z J Public Health. 2019 Oct;43(5):477-483. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2231180612%22">31180612)</searchLink>
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