South West drowning rates high

Children in regional WA are five times more likely to drown than those in Perth metropolitan areas, according to Royal Life Saving WA.

A report released on Friday reveals 18 children aged between five and 14 died from drowning in the past decade in WA.

Eleven of those deaths were in regional areas.

The South West region had an equal third highest number of drowning deaths among children, recording three - the same as the Kimberley.

The South West also had the third highest death rate from drowning, with 1.4 deaths per 100,000.

An increase in exposure to a range of waterways in the South West is to blame for the bigger risk to children, according to RLSWA.

However, the region recorded the lowest rate of hospital admissions after near-drowning incidents among WA children, recording 1.4 per 100,000.

The report reveals across the State for every child who drowns, five children are admitted to hospital after nearly drowning.

RLSWA health promotion and research senior manager Lauren Nimmo said increased access in the South West for locals and visitors, along with the "remoteness" of the region also contributed.

Miss Nimmo said the organisation was committed to teaching every child to swim.

"We recognise this task is all the more important given WA's climate and lifestyle that encourages activity on the water," she said.

South West Sports Centre acting facility team leader Samantha Harnett said the centre's swim school had experienced a "steady" increase in students with about 900 signed up for 2015.