Alcohol and Water Safety: National Alcohol Strategy: a plan for action 2001 to 2003 - 04: occasional paper

This report was prepared in response to an invitation to examine the role of alcohol in drowning and other types of injury associated with recreational aquatic activities. The purpose of this report is to collate available information, including new sources, to support priority setting and policy formulation. The report specifically aimed to provide:
● A statistical description of the burden of alcohol-related drowning and near-drowning in Australia based on an attributable fractions method and published estimated fractions
● Analysis of National Coroners Information System (NCIS) data on the involvement of alcohol in drowning deaths and deaths associated with recreational boating (whether by drowning or not).
● An assessment of the potential value and feasibility of collecting data on alcohol-relatedness as part of emergency department surveillance of drowning and near-drowning cases.
● A review of literature concerning alcohol as a risk factor for drowning, near- drowning and other serious injury sustained during swimming and other water-related activities, particularly including recreational aquatic activity; and interventions against these risks.