Researchers will begin breathalysing people near popular swimming spots in a bid to learn more about Australia’s high river drowning rate.
Of all the drowning deaths in Australia, a quarter occur in creeks and rivers, and alcohol is a factor in 37% of those cases.
National manager for Royal Surf Life Saving, Amy Peden, says previous research into drowning prevention has only focused on children in backyard pools and at the beach, despite the high incidence of river drowning