Profile of Pediatric Drowning Victims in a Water-Oriented Society

Correlation of Pool Drowning Deaths with Number of Residential Swimming Pools by County in Florida, 2005-2007

“…Males accounted for 65.6% of these deaths; non-Hispanic Whites, 65.6%; and young children ages one to four, 45.8% (Table 3[ID]TBL3[/ID]). The higher proportions of these strata relative to other demographic groups are consistent with those described as being at higher risk in previous studies of swimming pool drowning deaths in Florida (Calder & Clay, 1990;Liller et al, 1993;Nichter & Everett, 1989;Pryor, 1999;Rowe, Arango, & Allington, 1977). Of the 120 young children ages one to four who drowned in confirmed, singlefamily residential swimming pools, 82 (68.3%) drowned in a pool at their own home; nine (7.5%) drowned in a pool at a grandparent, uncle, or other relative's home; five (4.2%) drowned in a pool at a friend's home; five (4.2%) drowned in a pool at a neighbor's home; and one (0.8%) each drowned in a pool at a babysitter's home, a summer home, or a vacation rental house.…”

“…Systematic public health surveillance and prevention of drowning incidents in these emerging drowning hazards, which have been known to occur (Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2005, 2008C. Thomas, personal communication, November 16, 2004), are therefore needed, especially for young children, who often drown unnoticed during a momentary lapse in adult supervision (Liller et al, 1993;Nichter & Everett, 1989;Ragan et al, 2007, November;Rowe, Arango, & Allington, 1977). Given the perennial risk of unintentional drowning in Florida, especially to young children, a minimum level of public awareness to be vigilant around all drowning hazards, particularly residential swimming pools, should be sustained year-round if possible (Calder & Clay, 1990;Liller et al, 1993;Mulligan et al, 2007;Nichter & Everett, 1989;Ragan et al, 2007, November;Rowe, Arango, & Allington, 1977).…”

“…Thomas, personal communication, November 16, 2004), are therefore needed, especially for young children, who often drown unnoticed during a momentary lapse in adult supervision (Liller et al, 1993;Nichter & Everett, 1989;Ragan et al, 2007, November;Rowe, Arango, & Allington, 1977). Given the perennial risk of unintentional drowning in Florida, especially to young children, a minimum level of public awareness to be vigilant around all drowning hazards, particularly residential swimming pools, should be sustained year-round if possible (Calder & Clay, 1990;Liller et al, 1993;Mulligan et al, 2007;Nichter & Everett, 1989;Ragan et al, 2007, November;Rowe, Arango, & Allington, 1977). The passive use of pool safety features, such as those required by Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, should also be promoted as part of an overall residential pool safety strategy consisting of multiple layers of protection (National Drowning Prevention Alliance, 2005).…”

A study of safety-promoting activities for children and adolescents in 25 Swedish municipalities

“…In worksite safety promotion, safety rounds are perceived as effective (Menckel et al, 1996). With respect to training school children in how to swim, Rowe et al showed that inability to swim is a risk factor for drowning, and Asher et al suggested that swimming ability could be improved through qualified training (Rowe et al, 1977;Asher et al, 1995). However, the generalizability of these findings to drowning accidents among school children is unknown.…”

Drowning in childhood and adolescence: a population-based study.

“…* Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death in children under age 5, and ranks second for ages [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].' Yet Average annual drowning rates per 100,000 person years were five for the study population as a whole, eight for males, two for females, five for Whites, and nine for Blacks.…”