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 Australia’s coast in 2013, with more than half that number happening more than 5km offshore.

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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 can’t save you if we can’t 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.

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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.

Furthermore, 89% of all drowning deaths were male victims. The most common age demographic was the 60-64 age group, of which 91% lost their life during boating activity, using watercraft, rock fishing or diving.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who launched the report in Queenscliff in Sydney on Sunday, said the drop in drownings was impressive, particularly considering there were no deaths between beach safety flags over the year.

“If you swim between the flags you can be very confident you will be looked after and you will be safe,” he said.

The majority of drowning deaths are Australians (70), even though the number of tourist fatalities doubled in 2013-14 (14). Rip currents (15%), medical condition or injury (24%) and alcohol or drugs (14%) were the most common contributory factors.

More than 47,000 patrolling members at 311 Surf Life Saving clubs performed 1.2 million volunteer patrol hours nationally in 2013-14. There were:
• 11,711 rescues – that’s 32 rescues a day
• 31,893 first aid treatments – that’s 87 a day
• 1,016,037 preventative actions – that’s 2,784 a day

“There are a lot of people living their lives today because of the great work, smart thinking and swift actions of our patrolling lifesavers” Mr Ford said.

“Our aim is to reduce drowning by 50% by 2020. Our commitment is to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. While drowning deaths occur we will never be satisfied, but any reduction in that rate is positive.”