Drowning Statistics
Here at SAFE Swim Foundation, we believe that understanding the realities and trends surrounding drowning incidents is crucial in our mission to promote water safety and prevent future tragedies. This page serves as a comprehensive resource where we present the latest drowning statistics, trends, and research findings to raise awareness and drive meaningful change.
– In the United States, more children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)
– For children ages 5–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)
– For every child under age 18 who dies from drowning, another 7 receive emergency department care for nonfatal drowning. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)
– Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male. Many factors might contribute to higher rates of drowning among males, including increased exposure to water, risk-taking behaviors, and alcohol use. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)
– Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. (Source: JAMA Pediatrics)
– 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. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)
– Arkansas ranks 7th in the US for drowning-related deaths among children (Source: Arkansas Children’s Hospital)
– Arkansas’s drowning rate is 60% higher than the national average (Source: Arkansas Children’s Hospital)