Interventions to Prevent Drowning

Abstract

Drowning refers to an event in which a person’s airway is immersed in a liquid medium leading to respiratory difficulty (Idris et al., 2003). This may result in a drowning death or survival. Drowning is a multifaceted injury, involving multiple patterns that vary by age group, body of water (bath, swimming pool, and open water), and activity. However, the patterns vary consistently wherever studied. In many countries, drowning is among the top three leading causes of injury death. Drowning death rates are highest in preschoolers, aged 1–4 years, and second highest in older adolescents and young adults (15–24 years). Most preschoolers in North America drown after falling into swimming pools while by the water; older children and adults are primarily in or on the water, boating or swimming, when they drown. The highest case fatality rates are in adults. Males predominate. Among older teenagers and young adults who drown, the male to female ratio may be as high as 6 : 1.