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New Zealand Youth Water Safety Survey (2003) and Fact Sheets

The National Drowning Prevention Strategy has recognised the critical contribution that water safety beliefs, attitudes and behaviours play in reducing drowning risk. It suggests that if the aim of the Strategy is to enable people to safely enjoy water-related activities and environments water safety knowledge must become an important part of all aspects of water-related activity. Yet without valid and comprehensive information on what constitutes the water safety knowledge of young and old alike, drowning prevention initiatives such as the Strategy may prove to be of little worth. Moran, K (2003).

The subjects of this survey were part of a nationwide sample of 2,202 youth, 4% of a target population of approximately 50,000 Year 11 students. A written questionnaire on aquatic recreational activities, water safety knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, completed under the direction of trained survey administrators, was used to gather data during the school timetable in 41 high schools.

From this, a series of fact sheets has been produced, exploring and examining New Zealand youth and aquatic recreation, their safety skills and knowledge, safety attitudes and behaviours, gender and ethnic differences.

The New Zealand Youth Water Safety Survey 2003 and Subsequent Fact Sheets are available from the WaterSafe Auckland website.