Dying to help: More than 4 would-be-rescuers die every year in Australian waters

On average, 4.5 people per year drown performing rescue attempts in Australian waterways, with victims mainly male, at a beach, and attempting to rescue a minor, according to Aussie researchers. The study looked at data from Surf Life Saving Australia’s Coastal Fatality Database between 2004 and 2019, and found most drownings occurred in NSW, at beaches and during the summer in the afternoon. Nearly all would-be-rescuers (97 per cent) did not use any kind of floatation device to help with the rescue, and researchers say future safety interventions should promote this, and target men, parents and caregivers visiting beach locations around holiday periods.