Drowning

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children and near-drowning can result in lengthy hospital stays and can have life-long effects such as brain damage. On average in BC, there are 41 near-drowning cases that resulted in an acute hospitalization and 53 drowning deaths per year.

Quick Facts & Stats ▼ | Prevention ▼ | Information & Resources ▼

Quick Facts & Stats

Causes

  • 50% of children who drown are alone and unsupervised.
  • In BC, 60% of drowning deaths among children and youth occur in natural waters during swimming or water transport-related activities such as boating and jet skiing.

Occurrence

  • The greatest number of drowning deaths occur among males in natural water (46%) and water transport (28%).
  • Drowning is the leading cause of death in BC for toddlers 1-4 years of age, who tend to drown in bathtubs or swimming pools.
  • For each toddler who dies from drowning, there are 6 to 10 near-drowning cases that require hospitalization.
  • 24% of drowning deaths occur in swimming pools and 18% occur in bathtubs; For infants, 64% drown in bathtubs.
  • Teens and adults tend to drown in natural water, whereas infants and toddlers tend to drown in bathtubs or swimming pools.

Costs

  • Among the survivors of near-drowning, 20% sustain permanent brain damage.
  • In 2010, the total cost of drowning to British Columbians was $25 million.

Prevention

Prevention Tips – At Home

  • Supervise children at all times. A small child can drown in as little as 1 inch of water in just a few seconds.
  • If a young child is unable to swim, ensure s/he is wearing an approved flotation device.
  • Build a fence (4 sided, 4 ft tall) with a self-closing, self-latching gate to surround all pools, including inflatable pools. Pool fencing can prevent 7 out of 10 drownings among children.
  • Ensure you have emergency equipment including a first aid kit and a phone in the immediate pool area.

Prevention Tips – During Recreation

  • Make sure children are well supervised by responsible adults at all times in and around water. Be a child’s lifeguard!
  • Enroll yourself and your child in swimming lessons.
  • Ensure everyone is wearing an approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket on a boat, at the beach, or at the lake.
  • Learn CPR and/or lifesaving techniques.
  • Be cautious about swimming in currents, and know what to do if you get into trouble.
  • Alcohol should not be consumed before or during swimming or boating activities.
  • When hiking, be mindful of staying on the trails and avoid fast-flowing rivers.

Information & Resources

Personal Floatation Device Sizing Chart for Children

flotation-chart
Source: Canadian Red Cross, 2009

Pool Fencing

Here are some valuable resources from SafeKids Canada regarding Pool Fencing:

Useful Websites