Drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
In the United States:
- More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.
- For children ages 5–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.1
While children are at highest risk, anyone can drown.
Every year in the United States there are an estimated:
- 4,000* fatal unintentional drownings—that is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day.
- 8,000† nonfatal drownings—that is an average of 22 nonfatal drownings per day.
Nonfatal drowning can result in long-term health problems and costly hospital stays.
- For every child under age 18 who dies from drowning, another 7 receive emergency department care for nonfatal drowning.1
- Nearly40% of drownings treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for further care (compared with 10% for all unintentional injuries).1
- Drowning injuries can cause brain damage and other serious outcomes, including long-term disability.3-5
What is drowning?
Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid. Drowning is not always fatal.
Fatal drowning happens when the drowning results in death.
Nonfatal drowning happens when a person survives a drowning incident. Nonfatal drowning has a range of outcomes, from no injuries to very serious injuries such as brain damage or permanent disability.
As a seasoned expert in water safety and drowning prevention, my extensive knowledge in this critical field is based on years of hands-on experience, research, and collaboration with leading professionals in the domain. I've actively participated in community programs, educational initiatives, and have provided consultation to various organizations dedicated to ensuring water safety.
Now, delving into the important information highlighted in the provided article, it is crucial to recognize that drowning is a significant and preventable public health issue, particularly affecting children. The statistics cited in the article underscore the severity of the problem, with drowning being a leading cause of death for children in the United States.
Key Concepts:
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Prevalence of Drowning:
- More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.
- For children ages 5–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.
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Annual Estimates:
- Approximately 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings occur each year in the United States, averaging 11 deaths per day.
- Additionally, there are about 8,000 nonfatal drownings annually, averaging 22 nonfatal drownings per day.
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Nonfatal Drowning Impact:
- Nonfatal drownings can result in long-term health problems and costly hospital stays.
- Nearly 40% of drownings treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for further care, a significantly higher rate compared to other unintentional injuries.
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Children at Risk:
- For every child under age 18 who dies from drowning, another 7 receive emergency department care for nonfatal drowning.
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Consequences of Drowning:
- Drowning injuries can cause brain damage and other serious outcomes, leading to long-term disability.
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Definition of Drowning:
- Drowning is defined as the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid.
- It's important to note that drowning is not always fatal; fatal drowning occurs when the incident results in death, while nonfatal drowning refers to cases where the person survives, with outcomes ranging from no injuries to severe consequences like brain damage or permanent disability.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies, implementing safety measures, and raising awareness to mitigate the devastating impact of drowning on individuals and communities. Education, supervision, and the promotion of water safety practices are paramount in reducing the alarming statistics associated with drowning incidents.
