Drowning Facts and Risks

Drowning is:

  • The process of experiencing respiratory distress as a result of becoming submerged/immersed in liquid.
  • Preventable with adult supervision, barriers, swimming classes, and CPR classes.
  • Can occur in less than 3 inches of water.
  • Quick and silent.

Drowning process begins
in as little as 2 minutes.

Irreversible brain damage
occurs in as little as 4 minutes.

Most children who are submerged
for as little as 6-10 minutes die.

Who is most at risk?

Males

Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male.

Children

Children aged 1-4 have the highest drowning rates. Most drownings occur in home swimming pools. Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children ages 1-4 than any other cause except birth defects.