Don't jump in: why being a hero is killing older Australian men

Experts say men, particularly those over 50, need to realise it's okay to admit they may not be as fit as they used to be - because it's men who account for 81 per cent of all drowning deaths in Australia.

Recent incidents highlight the risk.

On November 24, a man in his 50s drowned at Surfers Paradise beach despite lifeguards and paramedics performing CPR.

Less than three weeks later, another man almost drowned in Brisbane's inner west.

Gunther Enthaler has been a volunteer surf lifesaver in Wollongong, NSW for more than two decades.

He said many older swimmers - particularly men - overestimate their fitness as they age, assuming their bodies are still capable of what they could do years earlier.

Mr Enthaler said rescues also become significantly more difficult as body weight increases. Extra abdominal weight can form a "beer shelf", he said, making it harder to lift someone onto a rescue board or into a boat.

"Ask yourself: how fit are you really, and how long could you actually swim in a pool?" he said. "Swimming in the ocean, even with a small swell, is probably four times harder."

He urged swimmers to always swim between the flags, avoid swimming alone, and take an honest assessment of their fitness.

Australia's drowning figures are dire. The worst on record.

There were 357 drowning deaths recorded in the 12 months to mid-2025, a 27 per cent increase on the 10-year average, according to the 2025 National Drowning Report by Royal Life Saving.

Men accounted for 81 per cent of all drowning deaths.

Older Australians emerged as the highest-risk demographic.

People aged 65 and over made up 33 per cent of all drownings - a 48 per cent increase compared with the 10-year average for that age group.

Drowning deaths across every age group 45 and older were above the 10-year average.

Alcohol played a role in roughly a third of those drownings.

Royal Life Saving drowning prevention and education general manager Craig Roberts told The Senior there were two distinct risk groups within the older population.

The first are men aged 45 and over who enter the water while underestimating the risks and overestimating their abilities.

"They are getting into trouble through a range of swimming and recreational activities," he said.

The second group does not necessarily intend to enter the water.

"These are people aged over 65 who slip, trip or fall," Mr Roberts said.

"Often they get into difficulty because they can't return to the surface or reach the edge of whatever aquatic environment they are in."

Bystander rescues are a complex and risky part of drowning prevention, said drowning expert Dr Amy Peden.

Roughly eight per cent of drowning deaths are bystander rescues.

One of the most tragic examples was the 2024 Gold Coast incident in which Dharmvir Singh, 38, and his father Gurjinder, 68, jumped into a hotel pool to save Mr Singh's two-year-old child. The child survived, but both men drowned.

"It is usually a family member, and telling people not to go in is often unrealistic," she said.

Her advice is to know your limitations, call for help first (Triple Zero), and ensure the most capable person responds.

"Always take some form of flotation," she said.

Royal Life Saving's Craig Roberts concurred.

"You don't know how many people have been saved through esky lids or even a log or stick in a river," he said.

Dr Peden, of UNSW, said Australia's ageing population alone does not explain the rapid rise in drownings among older people.

"We were on a downward trajectory until Covid-19," she said.

After prolonged lockdowns people sought out more remote waterways. Swimming skills declined. Learn to swim programs were disrupted. Many did not go back.

"We also saw an increase in boat ownership, along with changes in behaviour, activities and the locations people were visiting, " Dr Peden said.

Drownings involving older Australians receive significantly less media attention, which contributes to the problem.

Programs such as Silver Salties and the Grey Medallion - aimed at people aged 55 and over - have proven effective in improving swimming ability.

But Dr Peden said personal responsibility also plays a critical role.

"We encourage people to get a medical check and think about how medications and alcohol may increase drowning risk," she said.

"At a personal level, we need to refresh our skills, be honest about our fitness and health, and understand the risks."

Experts want Australians to be able to recognise the signs of drowning.

It isn't like the movies, they say. It rarely involves loud splashing or cries for help. Instead, it is often deceptively quiet - a silent emergency as the respiratory system is struggling to breathe.

The process can unfold quickly, usually within 20 to 60 seconds. A person in trouble is often vertical, focused entirely on keeping their head above water.

"Everything is happening below the surface, which can conceal the urgency of the situation," Dr Peden said.

"People describe it as climbing an invisible ladder."

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Other indicators include a head low in the water, the mouth at water level or tilted back, an open mouth, and glassy or unfocused eyes.

Bobbing up and down can also be a warning sign.

Dr Peden said people should raise one hand if they are drowning and try to stay calm.

"If you can, roll onto your back and float," she said. "That keeps the airway open and conserves energy."

For peak drowning organisations, the surge in deaths in 2025 has set off alarm bells.

They warn that unless older Australians - particularly men - reassess their limits, the numbers will continue to climb.