Fatalities

Hospitalisations

Key Findings

Fatalities

Underwater incidents in 2018 were down 55% on 2017 and close to the 2013 - 2017 five year average. 80% were aged 25-54. All were male.

Swimming incidents in 2018 were up on 2017 and the 2013 - 2017 five year average. People aged 65+ made up 28% of Swimming fatalities.

Hospitalisations

Accidental Immersions made up 21% of hospitalisations in 2018. This is down 10% on 2017 but up 10% on the 2013 - 2017 five year average.

49% New Zealand European, 23% Maori, 15% Other, 6% Asian, 6% Pacific People

A quarter of these occurred in domestic locations. 35% were aged under five.

Boating was involved in 23% of hospitalisations in 2018. This is up 88% on 2017 and up 10% on the 2013 - 2017 five year average. Of note was the high number involving Sailing.

Swimming made up 28% of hospitalisations in 2018. This was the same as the 2013 - 2017 five year average, but up 22% on 2017. 27% in Large Area of Water, 23% at Beaches, 23% in Pools. 27% in Auckland and 18% in Bay of Plenty.

55% of hospitalisations in 2018 were from people under the age of 15. 71% were aged under 25.