What Factors Influence Drowning Risk?
Posted on August 13, 2014
Hi all. I’m back to talk about what the factors are that can put you at greater risk of drowning and what you can do to change your risk. When you really think about it, it may be inconvenient at times but just makes sense to supervise a young child around water or make sure when you go boating that everyone wears a life jacket.
Here’s some more information that can help you take simple precautions:
What factors influence drowning risk?
The main factors that affect drowning risk are lack of swimming ability, lack of barriers to prevent unsupervised water access, lack of close supervision while swimming, location, failure to wear life jackets, alcohol use, and seizure disorders.
Lack of Swimming Ability: Research shows that taking part in in age appropriate swimming lessons reduces the risk of drowning among children aged 1 to 4 years and in adults. Check with your local YMCA or community center to find swim classes.
Lack of Barriers: Barriers, such as pool fencing, prevent young children from gaining access to the pool area without caregivers’ awareness. A four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing.
Lack of Close Supervision: Drowning can happen quickly and quietly anywhere there is water (such as bathtubs, swimming pools, buckets).
Location: People of different ages drown in different locations. For example, most children ages 1-4 drown in home swimming pools. The percentage of drownings in natural water settings, including lakes, rivers and oceans, increases with age.
Alcohol Use: Among adolescents and adults, alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation, almost a quarter of ER visits for drowning, and about one in five reported boating deaths. Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and judgment, and its effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat.
Seizure Disorders: For persons with seizure disorders, drowning is the most common cause of unintentional injury death, with the bathtub as the site of highest drowning risk.
Lack of proper flotation devices: Life jackets can reduce risk. Potentially, half of all boating deaths might be prevented with the use of life jackets.
Not knowing CPR: Seconds count. The more quickly CPR is started, the better the chance of improved outcomes. Check with your local American Red Cross chapter to find out when they offer free CPR course.
Being aware of potential hazards and taking simple steps won’t take the fun out of water activities!
Speaking of fun, have you taken my weekly quiz yet? It is all about water safety. See how much you have learned or already know about the subject. And, while supplies last, I’ll send you a free reward-my mini doctor first aid kit just for taking one of my weekly quizzes!
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