The Danish Safety Council for Water Sports is sailing to the People's Meeting with a focus on the connection between the use of life jackets and demographics.
The Water Sports Safety Council would like to see more active seniors on the water. But this must be achieved without an increase in the number of drownings.
In 2030, almost 30 percent of Denmark's population will be over 60 years of age. Therefore, it is to be expected that there will also be an increase in the number of people over 60 years of age at sea. The Danish Water Sports Safety Council's drowning statistics show that men over the age of 50 are overrepresented among those who drown.
Since the beginning of 2021, one woman has drowned. During the same period, 34 men have drowned. Twenty-four of them were over 50 years old.
There is, of course, a correlation between the trends in drowning statistics and the demographics of those who use the water. But it shows who is in the risk group, says Martin Wagner from the Danish Water Sports Safety Council.
We know from our previous studies that this is the group that is worst at using life jackets – and we know that life jackets actually save lives.
Since 2015, the Danish Maritime Safety Council has been actively working to build knowledge about Danes' habits, behavior, and knowledge when it comes to safety at sea.
Knowledge is the foundation of the work of the Water Sports Safety Council
The latest observational study conducted by the Als Research analysis institute for the Danish Water Sports Safety Council shows that only 53 percent of all men wear life jackets. The study was conducted in 15 harbors in 2022. 5,600 people were observed.
In 83 percent of cases, young people under the age of 16 wear life jackets. Adults over the age of 45 only wear life jackets in 51 percent of cases.
There is an either/or culture in the water sports community. We know that if one person wears a life jacket, everyone else is more likely to wear one too. That's why it's important that we talk about this issue. Because it saves lives, says Martin Wagner.
We can't look after everyone. But everyone can look after someone. It's about responsibility, care, and freedom.
Are you looking for a panel participant for a debate on safety and safety culture at sea?
Please contact Martin Wagner from the Danish Water Sports Safety Council at +45 9137 6340.
You can read more about the Danish Water Sports Safety Council, the Council's work and guidelines, and dive into the drowning statistics on the website soesport.dk.