ACC Drown Prevention Strategy
On average, 130 people drown in New Zealand every year and about 650 are hospitalised as a result of water-related injuries. Statistics released by Water Safety New Zealand on 5 February showed that 23 people drowned in January 2009 - nearly a quarter of the total 2008 drowning toll.
In addition, by 10 February 2009, 27 people had drowned in New Zealand - eight more than the same time last year and the highest number of recreational drownings since 1994 (source: Water Safety New Zealand).
The Drowning Prevention Strategy: Towards a Water Safe New Zealand 2005-2015 provides a framework to guide the efforts of the water safety sector towards a water safe New Zealand, free from drowning.
For all you need to know about the Drown Prevention Strategy visit the ACC Website
Swimming New Zealand is very supportive of this strategy and is working within it and aligning itself to it - helping to create a water safe New Zealand.
Also read Water Safety New Zealand's 2008 Drowning Report:
http://www.watersafety.org.nz/pdfs/Annual_Drowning_Report_2008.pdf
