Let’s End Childhood Drowning.

Quick Facts

• Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of injury-related death for children up to age 14. 
• Drowning remains among the top four causes of death from age 54 and up.
• 88% of child drownings occur with at least 1 adult present.  
• Drowning is fast and silent. It can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds. 
• Participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce risk of drowning by as much as 88%

Supplemental CDC Data

• 4,000* fatal unintentional drownings—that is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day.
• 8,000† nonfatal drownings—that is an average of 22 nonfatal drownings per day.

***”Drowning death rates for American Indian or Alaska Native people ages 29 and younger are 2 times higher than the rates for White people, with the highest disparities among those ages 25-29 (rates 3.5 times higher).9,10 Drowning death rates for Black people are 1.5 times higher than the rates for White people. Disparities are highest among Black children ages 5-9 (rates 2.6 times higher) and ages 10-14 (rates 3.6 times higher).9

In swimming pools, Black children ages 10-14 years drown at rates 7.6 times higher than White children. Black children and youth are more likely to drown in public pools, and white children and youth are more likely to drown in residential pools.11 In natural water, American Indian or Alaska Native people have the highest drowning death rates, with rates 2.7 times higher than White people.”***

• For every child under age 18 who dies from drowning, another 7 receive emergency department care for nonfatal drowning.
• Nearly 40% of drownings treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for further care (compared with 10% for all unintentional injuries).1
• Drowning injuries can cause brain damage and other serious outcomes, including long-term disability.
• 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.