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Drowning: Statistics, Facts, and Prevention

Drowning: Facts, Statistics, and Prevention

With summer quickly approaching it is important to take precautionary measures when heading into the water. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), ten people die from unintentional drowning every day. That is why knowing the facts and taking the proper precautionary measures will ensure a safe and happy summer.

Unintentional deaths by drowning are much more common when people are swimming. In 2007, there were 3,443 people who drowned in non-boating accidents compared to 496 people who drowned in boating accidents.

Usually, children 14 and younger most commonly drown with a ratio of about one in five people. Accidental drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14. The younger children are the higher risk they have of drowning. While there are extensive numbers of non-fatal accidents, children ages 1 to 4 still have the highest drowning rate. According to CDC statistics, thirty percent of unintentional deaths for children ages 1 to 4 were from drowning.

Children are not the only ones who should be taken into account. Adults should also take precaution when getting into the water. In 2009, there were 4,720 boating accidents and 3,358 boaters were injured and 736 boaters died. Although adults, especially males, have better swimming skills, it is still crucial to wear a life jacket while out on open water. The majority of people who died in boating accidents drowned because they were not taking the proper safety precautions.

For adults, it is common to find people drinking while they’re boating or at the beach. But alcohol use is involved in half of deaths associated with water sports, including one in five boating deaths. Alcohol impairs judgment as well as balance and coordination, so the result is that people are not able to swim as well as they thought they could. Sun and heat also increase the effects, so it is even more dangerous when drinking outside. Adults are advised to use the buddy system when swimming to avoid accidental drowning.

There are many precautions that can be taken to avoid unintentional drowning. Supervision is extremely important when protecting young children. Life guards can be trusted when in public places, but a parent should always be aware of where their child is at all times, especially in and around the water.

It is also proven that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning in children by 88% so making sure a child knows how to swim before they enter any body of water is highly advisable. Young children who are still learning should wear life jackets as opposed to air and foam floating devices because they do not guard against drowning.

Knowing CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is also a vital skill that could save someone’s life. It is crucial for people who are choosing to be involved in water sports know CPR and how to use it, because in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive it could make the difference between life and death.