2023-07-07 13:53:12
July 07, 2023
Since June 1, 2023, 84 people have died by drowning according to figures revealed on Friday July 7 by Public Health France. These deaths mainly concern adults.
Drowning surveillance began on June 1, 2023. Public Health France is publishing this Friday, July 7, its first summer report of drownings that occurred between June 1 and June 28, 2023. During these first four weeks of surveillance, 233 drownings were recorded, including 84 deaths, or 36% of drownings. 52% of recorded drownings concern people aged 18 and over, 36% of children under 6 years old.
Between 2021 and 2023, the total number of drownings is down 25%. However, the number of deaths remains stable. Proportionally, the number of deaths following drowning has increased from 26% to 36% between 2021 and 2023. Thus, while drownings are less frequent this year, they are more often fatal.
Fatal drowning in 62% of adults
And it is in adults that this risk of death is highest. Drowning was fatal for 62% of adults – this figure rose to 47% in 2021. It was followed by death in 5% of children under the age of 6.
Other information, deaths by drowning in private pools have affected minors more, while adults drown more frequently at sea.
A peak in drownings was observed on Sunday June 25, with weather conditions favorable for swimming across the country. In general, we observe a greater number of drownings on weekends and during periods of heat. According to Public Health France, « lhe number of drownings and deaths remains high during the first four weeks of June 2023. Drownings concern all ages and all locations. These results underline the need to continue prevention on the risk of drowning at all ages”.
What prevention once morest the risk of drowning?
Public Health France recalls good practices for not putting themselves in danger, children and adults, when swimming. For the youngest, the first prevention advice is to never take your eyes off a child playing at the edge of the water, to always swim with him and to appoint a single adult who will watch him while swimming. Also, throughout the year, familiarizing children with the aquatic environment and teaching them to swim from an early age is highly recommended.
For adults, the rules of Public Health France to avoid any risk are as follows:
respect the safety instructions and bathing bans; favor supervised bathing areas, secured by professional lifeguards; find out regarding weather conditions; postpone swimming in case of physical disorder (fatigue, health problems, chills, etc.); avoid all alcohol consumption before swimming; tell a loved one before swimming; enter the water gradually by wetting your head, neck and stomach to avoid thermal shocks, particularly when the temperature difference between the water and the air is significant.
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