This paper examines the deaths of children in rural drowning incidents and the need to develop specific drowning prevention strategies for the unique environments of rural areas.

Drowning prevention strategies need to address the geographical and social barriers of rural life, while maintaining a balance between minimising the risks and keeping the things that make country life fun for children.

The findings are based on a review of the deaths contained in the Queensland Child Death Register between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2011.