Fewer drownings at beaches

The number of drownings at Australian beaches has fallen by a third over the past year, a report from Surf Life Saving Australia shows.

The 2014 National Coastal Safety Report shows 84 people drowned off Australias coast in 2013, with more than half that number happening more than 5km offshore.

LATEST SLIP SLIDING DOWN THE TERRACE AUSTRALIAN MUM ARRESTED IN KL OVER DRUGS MYSTERY OVER WA HOSPITAL BOSS DEPARTURE FEARS FOR WOULD-BE JIHADI BRIDES WANDERERS LOSE IN CLUB WORLD CUP 'FARCE' RIDER DIES AFTER TWO ROCKS CRASH THE SPY WHO HACKED ME

This represents a significant increase on the previous year and was the highest in the past 10 years.

What that tells us is that the Surf Life Saving patrols are saving lives. The system works when people heed the warnings and swim between the red and yellow flags. We cant save you if we cant see you, Surf Life Saving Australia President Graham Ford said.

However, the fact that we still had 19 people lose their life while swimming in areas outside of our patrolling zones is a national concern and I would urge people to please stay between the red and yellow flags this summer.

In WA, 38 people drowned.

LIFE SAVER PM ON BEACH PATROL WARNING OVER PADDLING POOLS TODDLER DROWNING DEATHS ON THE RISE

In 2013-14, 38 per cent of drowning deaths nationwide occurred at beaches. A third of all drowning deaths were offshore and a quarter of all fatalities were on rocky coastlines. This is consistent with concerning increases in the drowning deaths of rock fishermen and people using boating and watercraft.

Read more:

Fewer drownings at beaches