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.
National Drowning Report 2022
This report presents our analysis of fatal and non-fatal drowning across Australia between 1st July 2021 and 30th June 2022. During this time, 339 people lost their lives to drowning and we estimate a further 686 people experienced a non-fatal drowning incident.
This report presents our analysis of fatal and non-fatal drowning across Australia between 1st July 2021 and 30th June 2022. During this time, 339 people lost their lives to drowning and we estimate a further 686 people experienced a non-fatal drowning incident.
Children ages 1–4 have the highest drowning rates. Most drownings in children 1–4 happen in swimming pools.
The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2022 found that there were 339 drowning deathsover the past 12 months, which is 15% higher than last year(295), and the highest reported figure since 1996.
Coastal cliffs and rocky ledges (or rock platforms) contribute to around 1 in 5 drowning deaths in Australia. Fatalities occur particularly among rock fishers.
The highest fatal drowning rate of children aged 5 – 14 was recorded in 2011/12, at a rate of 0.5/100,000 population, followed by 2020/21, at a rate of 0.43/100,000 population. Children aged 5 – 9 represented the highest number of drowning deaths (62%) (n=65) compared with children aged 10 – 14 (38%) (n=40).
Drowning Is the Leading Cause of Death in Boating Accidents
Of those 25 deaths, only three victims were reported to have been wearing life jackets, one of whom drown (the other two suffered collision-related injuries).
Age-standardised drowning mortality rates were highest in countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Older adults in Japan had an extremely high drowning mortality rate involving bathtubs. The proportion of drowning deaths in swimming pools was highest in the USA.
Summary. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. The second biggest cause are cancers.
The means drowning is a process that is NOT always fatal, just like strokes and heart attacks do not always end in death. People survive heart attacks and strokes often, but occasionally they have complications. The same is true for drowning.
Males accounted for 80% of all drowning deaths (93% for the 25 -34 age group) Research shows that risk taking, use of alcohol and drugs, and the absence of appropriate safety precautions including lifejackets are key factors in male drowning.
Swimming Australia is the peak governing body for swimming with nearly 1,000 clubs and 90,000 registered members nationally. Swimming is unique as it is a life-skill, a sport and a recreation.
Recent research for Royal Life Saving Australia found one in four adults are either weak swimmers or can't swim.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 80 percent of people who die from drowning are male. This is thought to be because men are more likely to participate in swimming and water sports under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In addition, they are more likely forgo wearing a life jacket.
Rip currents (sometimes called a 'rip') are the number one hazard on Australian beaches and cause on average 19 deaths every year. These are strong currents beginning around the shore that run away from the beach.
The leading cause of drowning-related hospitalizations was drowning while being in, or falling into, a swimming pool, representing 36% of records (n = 703).
Freezing Temperatures – Even good swimmers undergo “cold shock” when immersed in cold water. This can cause loss of breathing control, muscle spasms, and can make it difficult for even a strong swimmer to save themselves from drowning.
It has been reported that it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown and roughly 40 seconds for an adult—and in some cases, it can take as little as a ½ cup of water to enter the lungs for the phenomenon to occur.
Leading causes of death worldwide
heart disease. stroke. lower respiratory infections.