Coastal mortality burden on school holidays 2004-2021: an Australian perspective.

Introduction: School holidays are a known period of increased risk of paediatric drowning. However, the risk of coastal death for all age groups is unknown.

Methods: This case-control study aimed to identify high-risk demographics and behaviours relating to coastal deaths during the school holidays.

Public holiday and long weekend mortality risk in Australia: A behaviour and usage risk analysis for coastal drowning and other fatalities.

Objective: This article aims to determine the impact of public holidays and long weekends on the risk of drowning and non-drowning deaths on the Australian coast.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study using relative risk ratios and Z-scores to compare all unintentional fatalities on the Australian coast between 2004 and 2021 to a longitudinal representative survey sample of the Australian public and their coastal usage.

Results: Overall, the coastal mortality risk increased by 2.

The role of alcohol and drug intoxication in fatal drowning and other deaths that occur on the Australian coast.

Introduction: Alcohol and drug (illicit or prescription) intoxication impairs motor skills, coordination, decision making abilities, hazard perception, and is known to increase the risk of death in coastal environments. Prior coastal safety research has focused largely on the impact of alcohol on drowning, with less research on the influence of drugs and leaving a significant number of other non-drowning fatalities largely excluded, despite being preventable with mitigation of injuries or medical factors.

Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study explored the impact of alcohol and drugs on unintentional Australian drowning deaths and other coastal fatalities over a 16-year period to identify higher-risk populations and coastal activity groups for which alcohol/drug use is increased.

Risky business: a 15-year analysis of fatal coastal drowning of young male adults in Australia.

Introduction: Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death, especially for males. In Australian coastal waters, young male adults account for 25% of the burden of male drowning. This study aims to describe young male coastal drowning deaths and to examine the prevalence of risk factors, especially alcohol and drugs.