Drowning Deaths On the Rise in the United States

WASHINGTON — After decades of decline, drowning deaths are once again on the rise in the United States, according to a new Vital Signs study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over 4,500 people died due to drowning each year from 2020 to 2022, 500 more per year compared to 2019.

In compiling their latest report, researchers from the CDC looked at drowning deaths, self-reported swimming skills, participation in swimming lessons, and exposure to what they deemed “recreational” water. 

What the agency found is that drowning is the number one cause of death for children aged 1-4, and adults 65 years or older, regardless of race or ethnicity.

By race and ethnicity, the highest drowning rates were among Blacks, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.

“I’ve seen firsthand the effects of drowning: families forced to say goodbye to their loved ones too soon,” said Dr. Debra Houry, M.P.H., the CDC’s chief medical officer, in a written statement. 

“CDC’s drowning prevention experts collected high-quality drowning data to better understand how we can protect people in communities across the United States,” Houry said. “Understanding the barriers people face to accessing basic swimming and water safety skills training can help us better understand how to address those barriers, decrease drowning rates, and save lives.”

The main conclusion of the report is that making swimming lessons accessible can save lives.

Almost 40 million adults (15.4%) in the United States do not know how to swim and over half (54.7%) have never taken a swimming lesson.

More than one in three (36.8%) Black adults reported they do not know how to swim compared to 15% of all adults. 

Additionally, two in three Black adults (63%) and three in four Hispanic adults (72%) reported never taking a swimming lesson.

Research suggests the difference in self-reported swimming ability may be linked to differences in access to swimming lessons or other historical and social factors. 

For example, swimming lessons may be too expensive or not available in some communities, some may fear water, or others may feel uncomfortable wearing traditional swimwear.

To address at least some of these issues, the report recommends that officials at the local, state and federal level:

• Build and revitalize public pools to increase access to swimming for all people. All public pools should also be made accessible for people with disabilities.
• Promote affordable swimming and water safety lessons available through participating partners, such as the American Red Cross, YMCA and other community-based organizations.
• Hire diverse aquatic staff that look like the communities they serve and adapt aquatic programs to meet specific community needs in order to decrease some reported barriers.
• Have swimming and water safety skills training professionals reaching out to communities to better understand what barriers people face to participate in lessons, then building partnerships to connect with and engage people at highest risk of drowning.

The CDC also notes that everyone can prevent drowning by:

• Learning basic swimming and water safety skills. Children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water.
• Building fences that fully enclose and separate the pool from the house. Fences should be at least four feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• Wearing a life jacket while boating for people of all ages and swimming abilities.
• Not drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating or other water activities. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
• Learning CPR skills. Performing CPR could save someone’s life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive.

“No one should have to lose a loved one to drowning. Improving access to effective prevention strategies, like basic swimming and water safety skills training, can reduce drowning risk,” said Tessa Clemens, Ph.D., health scientist in the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention and lead author of the Vital Signs report.

The CDC, of course, isn’t the only agency talking about swimming safety ahead of summer. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released what it calls its Wave Safe series of videos.

Intended to keep people safe when they venture to the shore, the videos are a series of reminders that it’s easy to avoid a tragedy if one stays aware of the weather, the ocean and what is going on around them.

“Storms far out at sea can create dangerous waves and currents at the beach, even on a sunny day,” the video webpage says. “Even small waves can hit you with the force of a car! Getting knocked down or pinned to the sand can cause serious injury.”

It adds: “If you want to stay safe at the beach, respect the power of the ocean!”

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue