Drowning in the Data: What You Need to Know This Summer with Dr Jaz Lawes

With summer just around the corner, drowning stats are rising — and Dr Jaz Lawes joins MJ to break it all down.

There’s good news for toddlers: thanks to better fencing, education, and community action, drowning deaths in under-fives have dropped. But the bigger picture is confronting — especially for older adults, who now account for 33% of drowning deaths. With health conditions and slower reflexes at play, it’s a sobering reminder that water safety isn’t just for kids.

Key figures discussed:

• Rates are nearly three times higher in regional and remote areas compared to cities
• The Torres and Cape and North West QLD regions reported the highest rates

Dr Jaz also talks about:

• Why swimming lessons for all ages still matter
• How localised, culturally relevant education can make a real difference
• The right way to treat box jellyfish stings (spoiler: it’s not urine!)

Read The National Drowning Report 2025, published by Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf

Life Saving Australia here:

https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/about/news-and-updates/news/2025/aug/tragic-surge-in-drowning-deaths-prompts-urgent-call-for-action-ahead-of-summer