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.