Drowning is never dry: Two ER doctors explain the real swimming danger kids face

People who think “dry drowning” exists describe it as a rare condition. But real drowning — the wet kind — sadly is not rare. It is a leading cause of pediatric injuries and deaths.

 Sink or Swim? The global drowning crisis

Every year, nearly 400,000 people round the globe die by drowning, making it one of the world's most common causes of accidental death.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative to Prevent Drowning

Each year, drowning claims the lives of 322,000 people. Low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest burden of drowning, accounting for over 90 percent of global drowning deaths. Sixty percent of all drowning deaths are among those under 30-years-old, with children between 1 and 4-years-old at a much higher risk of drowning. Many of these deaths can be prevented. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative to Prevent Drowning supports drowning prevention activities

A Racial History of Drowning

According to the USA Swimming Foundation, about 70 percent of African-American children, 60 percent of Latino children and 40 percent of white children are non-swimmers. Lack of access and financial constraints account only partly for these numbers. Fear, cultural factors and even cosmetic issues play a role as well.

Drowning Can Happen to Anyone — Including Your Child

Tragedies like these happen to other people, we often think. It doesn’t happen to us. Especially something like drowning, because that seems so simple to prevent: Go to places with lifeguards. Make sure your children can swim. Keep an ear out. Glance at the water regularly. The problem is, none of that’s enough.

Drowning Prevention

When most of us are enjoying time at the pool or beach, injuries aren’t the first thing on our minds. Yet, drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. In fact, drowning kills more children 1-4 than anything else except birth defects.

Electric Shock Drowning Prevention

How to prevent the tragic mix of dockside swimming and electricity.

How Should You Respond to a Drowning?

As more adults and children head to pools and beaches during the hot summer months, the risk for drownings increases. But how should one respond to a drowning? The United States Swim School Association executive director Sue Mackie joins Tanya Rivero to offer advice.

Respect for Water Cuts Risk of Drowning

In an overwhelming majority of cases, these tragedies are preventable if youngsters and their guardians have greater respect for the water and take well-established precautions.

This Wrist Strap can Save You From Drowning

Kingii is a relatively small device that wraps around your wrist and contains an inflatable bag that can easily be deployed while under water.

Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts

Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

Water Safety for Little Kids

Water is so much more exciting now that your little kid can splash and swim and dunk his or her head. It’s also a time when active supervision and basic childproofing is critical – no exceptions. The best part is it’s a great way to connect with your child with no distractions.