Background In Australia older adults remain over-represented in local and national drowning events. In Western Australia (WA), over the summer of 2022–2023, 67% of deaths from drowning occurred in those aged 35 - 64 years. ‘Make the Right Call (MTRC)’ launched in 2020 is a drowning prevention program aimed at people 45+ years in WA. It aims to increase knowledge and skills, focussing on risk factors, prevention strategies, swimming ability, water safety and lifesaving skills. The program comprises: radio and print media, aqua skills classes, lifejacket trade-in, subsidised first-aid training and community education.

Objective This poster will present impact evaluation findings for the MTRC program, 2021–2023.

Methods A population level, cross-sectional online survey collected date for three timepoints (T1) (Baseline, n=158), (T2 =258) and (T3) (n=389). Collection protocols required: males and females 50:50; an 80%/20% metropolitan/regional split; 65%/20%/15% split of age categories (45 – 64 years/65 – 74 years/75+ years). Variables included: demographics; water-based activity; water safety knowledge and behaviour; risk taking, and campaign recall. Data were analysed and compared across the three time points and key findings will be presented by age, gender and country of birth across the three time points.

Results Overall younger, female participants were over-represented. All participants born overseas had lived in Australia >10 years. There was increase in those participants who indicated they could swim >500 metres at T3 (30.1%) compared T2 (27.5%, T1 25.7%). Knowledge of the correct timeframe to requalify for CPR was significantly higher at T3 compared with T2 and T1. Most participants indicated they had participated in a risky behaviour in the past 12 months. Almost all participants at T3 (98.2%) reported they had swum while affected by medication or a medical condition, compared with T2 66.9%, T1 90.8%. Two-thirds of the participants remembered seeing any advertising about water safety or drowning prevention.

Conclusions MTRC was the first older adult campaign delivered in WA. The program has seen a positive shift in water safety behaviours and knowledge and an upward trajectory in program recognition. The findings will inform the next phase of an Australia wide-version of the program.