Flood waters
Key Stats
- Drowning deaths in NSW
- From 2023‑24, there were 128 drowning deaths in NSW for that financial year. (royalnsw.com.au)
- In 2021‑22, NSW had over 100 drowning deaths — the highest number since 2011. (royalnsw.com.au)
- Of those deaths, about 1 in 10 were flood‑related in that period. (royalnsw.com.au)
- Hospitalisations & Natural Water
- According to AIHW (Australian institute of health and welfare) data, drowning and submersion hospitalisations for natural water bodies (rivers, lakes, floodwaters etc.) are a significant portion of natural‑water incidents. (AIHW)
- The rates of hospitalisation due to drowning/submersion are higher in more disadvantaged and regional/outer regional areas. (AIHW)
- Exposure in Regional/Outer Regional Areas
- People living in Outer Regional NSW have higher rates of hospitalisation for drowning and submersion incidents. (AIHW)
- Natural waterways are a common location for fatal drownings. In flood events, risk multiplies. (currents.plos.org)
Risk Factors Flood Waters & Regional NSW
- Rapidly changing conditions / flash flooding
- Sudden bursts of heavy rainfall can cause water levels, flow speeds and flood paths to change quickly. (Royal Life Saving Society - Australia)
- In areas without robust infrastructure or warning systems, people may be caught unaware. (ses.nsw.gov.au)
- Strong currents and flows
- Floodwaters move with significant force, often underestimating how powerful they are. Currents can sweep people or vehicles away. (Royal Life Saving Society - Australia)
- Hidden hazards
- Murky water reduces visibility; objects like tree branches, debris, fallen powerlines are hidden. (Royal Life Saving Society - Australia)
- Also risk from animals (e.g. snakes) in floodwaters. (Royal Life Saving Society - Australia)
- Driving into floodwater
- A common cause of flood‑related drowning: people misjudge depth, current, or road conditions under floodwater. Even shallow water can be dangerous for vehicles. (Royal Life Saving Society - Australia)
- Vulnerable populations
- Older people: In NSW, the elderly (>65) are disproportionately affected in flood‑related drowning incidents. (royalnsw.com.au)
- Children are at risk, especially when unsecured or out of sight. (AIHW)
- Access and remoteness
- In more remote or outer regional areas, rescue or assistance may be delayed; medical services further away; communication/infrastructure weaker. These exacerbate outcomes once an incident starts. (AIHW)
- Socioeconomic factors
- Disadvantaged areas show higher rates of drowning hospitalisations/deaths. Possibly due to less access to information, poorer infrastructure, less safe places to swim etc. (AIHW)
Multiple NSW and national bodies have guidance and policy in place:
- NSW State Emergency Service (SES) “During a Flood” guidance
- Warns people NOT to enter floodwater. (ses.nsw.gov.au)
- Suggests evacuation before roads become impassable. Seek higher ground. (ses.nsw.gov.au)
- Use official warnings/apps. (ses.nsw.gov.au)
- Flood Risk Management Manual & Flood Prone Land Policy (NSW Environment & Heritage / Department of Planning & Environment)
- Frameworks for councils to plan for flood risk, evaluate flood‑behaviour, constrain development in floodplains, etc. (Environment and Heritage)
- Emphasis on prevention, preparedness, reduction of exposure. (Environment and Heritage)
- Royal Life Saving / Water Safety NGOs
- Publish annual National Drowning Reports with breakdowns by location, age, activity. (Royal Life Saving Society - Australia)
- Provide education on safe behaviour around floodwaters: avoid entering floodwater, avoid driving through, heed warnings. (drowningprevention.org.au)
- Community and council‐level flood risk mapping
- NSW provides flood maps, historical flood data etc. for local areas to help people understand risk. (NSW Government)
Shallow Water Blackout
A Silent Drowning Risk
- Shallow water blackout (SWB) is a little-known but deadly cause of drowning.
- It can happen in rivers, dams, lakes, pools, shallow water like baths and kid pools.
- Regional NSW has many unsupervised swim spots, making quick rescues harder.
- Local awareness is low, but the risk is real.
What is Shallow Water Blackout?
A sudden loss of consciousness underwater caused by low oxygen to the brain, often after breath-holding or hyperventilation.
- Happens without warning - even to strong swimmers.
- No struggle, no sound - just sudden blackout.
- It’s not how deep you go, but how long you hold your breath.
Potential Causes
- Hyperventilation before diving (deep or fast breathing).
- CO₂ levels drop, so the urge to breathe is delayed.
- Oxygen runs out, but your body doesn’t warn you in time.
- You black out underwater - often silently.
High-Risk Activities
- Underwater breath-holding contests
- Repeated underwater laps without rest
- Spearfishing or free diving
- “Who can stay under longest?” games
- Swimming alone in rivers, pools, or dams
Myths
❌ “Only deep divers are at risk.” → False. It can happen in 1 metre of water.
❌ “I’m a strong swimmer.” → SWB affects even elite athletes.
❌ “I’ll feel it coming.” → You won’t. Victims lose consciousness with no warning.
Warning Signs
Often there are NONE.
- Victim slips underwater quietly
- Doesn’t come up for air
- May be found unconscious at the bottom
Prevention tactics
- Never hyperventilate before going underwater.
- Don’t do breath-hold games - especially alone.
- Rest properly between underwater swims.
- Swim where help is nearby - don’t swim alone.
- Educate family, schools, and local communities.
Did You Know?
- SWB has caused deaths in Australian pools, rivers, and dams.
- Boys and young men are most at risk - due to competitive breath-holding.
- CPR skills and fast rescue are vital - but prevention is best.
What To Do…
- Recognise the signs: swimmer doesn’t resurface or sinks silently.
- Act fast: Get them out of the water immediately.
- Check breathing & consciousness.
- Call 000.
- Start CPR if needed
Sources
- Royal Life Saving Australia: royallifesaving.com.au
- Joe Pedrotti Foundation: joepedrottifoundation.org
- NSW Water Safety Strategy: watersafety.nsw.gov.au
Water and electricity!
Three most common pool safety tips- to avoid the risk of electric shock
- Lighting storms
You might think the chances of lighting striking your pool are slim. But if it were to happen it would produce an electric current just as serious as if an electric cord had been dropped into the water. Even if the lighting doesn’t strike your pools water it could still strike the pool equipment that keeps the pool wired, making the risk the same. One of the most dangerous places you can be in a lightning storm is in a body of water.
- Extension cords
If water meets an extension cord it can produce an electric current causing electrical shock. It may seem like a good and more convenient idea for you to use extension cords close by or near your pool to plug in your radio or other electronics. It only takes a few drips of water to become a dangerous serious situation.
- Electrical Equipment:
If you have electrical equipment such as; - radios,
- televisions,
- mobile phones
- computers
- power tools
Near your pool or around any type of water this equipment can cause electrical shock if the fall in the water. Accidents can happen if you are in a pool and your radio or other electrical equipment falls in the pool. If electrical equipment falls into your pool/body of water releases a current of electricity that energizes the water. If you were to touch a metal pool ladder you can be electrocuted. We recommend hiring a licensed electrician to install and maintain the equipment you can ensure all equipment is safe and properly installed.
RELY ON OUR LICENSED ELECTRICIAN EXPERTS!
