Drowning is preventable. Understanding the statistics, recognizing the warning signs, and knowing how to respond can make the difference between tragedy and survival.
Drowning remains one of the most under-recognized public health crises in the United States and worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning each year in the United States alone. An additional 8,000 people experience non-fatal drowning events, many of which result in severe brain injury and long-term disability.
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that over 236,000 people drown annually, making it the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. These numbers represent an enormous burden of preventable suffering that disproportionately affects certain populations.
Drowning does not affect all populations equally. Understanding who is most vulnerable helps target prevention efforts where they are needed most.
The location of drowning incidents varies by age. For children under five, the majority of drownings occur in residential swimming pools. For older children, adolescents, and adults, natural water settings — lakes, rivers, ponds, and oceans — account for the greatest proportion of drowning deaths. Bathtubs are a significant risk for infants under one year of age.
A critical fact: For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for non-fatal submersion injuries. More than half of those treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for further care. Non-fatal drowning can cause severe brain damage resulting in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning difficulties, and permanent loss of basic functioning.
Several factors consistently contribute to drowning risk across all age groups:
One of the most dangerous misconceptions about drowning is that it looks dramatic — arms waving, screaming for help, splashing wildly. In reality, drowning is almost always a silent event. Understanding what real drowning looks like is essential for anyone who supervises people in or near water.
Identified by drowning researcher Francesco Pia, Ph.D., the Instinctive Drowning Response describes what people actually do when they are in the process of drowning:
This means that a drowning person physically cannot call out for help, wave their arms, or move toward safety. They may appear to be simply treading water or looking up at the sky. Children may go under even more quickly — sometimes in as little as 20 seconds.
Head tilted back with mouth open. Eyes glassy or closed. Hair over forehead or eyes. Hyperventilating or gasping. Trying to swim but not making progress. Attempting to roll over on the back. Vertical body position, no leg movement.
Calling out or waving for help (this is aquatic distress, not yet drowning). Able to grab rescue equipment. May have kicked off shoes. Visible fatigue. Struggling to keep head above water. These individuals can still assist in their own rescue if reached quickly.
In rare cases, a person who has been submerged or who has inhaled water can develop life-threatening complications hours after the initial incident. While the medical community debates the terminology, parents and caregivers should watch for warning signs after any water incident: persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, unusual behavior or irritability, and vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms appear after a submersion event.
Immediate CPR from a bystander can double or triple a drowning victim's chance of survival. Every second counts — brain damage can begin within four to six minutes of oxygen deprivation. While formal CPR certification is strongly recommended, knowing the basic steps can help you act in an emergency.
Drowning CPR differs slightly from standard cardiac arrest CPR because the primary problem is lack of oxygen, not a cardiac event. The priority is getting air into the lungs.
Important: Do not attempt the Heimlich maneuver on a drowning victim. Water in the lungs is not an obstruction — it is absorbed. The priority is oxygenation through rescue breathing and chest compressions. Get certified in CPR through your local Red Cross or American Heart Association chapter.
While CPR knowledge is essential, preventing drowning from occurring in the first place is always the goal. Layers of protection — swim lessons, active supervision, physical barriers, life jackets, and water safety education — work together to reduce risk. Every family, every community, every individual has a role to play in drowning prevention.
Drowning is not inevitable. With awareness, education, and action, the number of drowning deaths can be dramatically reduced. Share what you have learned here with your family, friends, and community. The life you save may be someone you love.
Questions, corrections, or resource suggestions? Reach out at drowningawareness@yahoo.com