Transcript DROWNING AND PREVENTION

DROWNING & PREVENTION
Lora E Fleming MD PhD MPH MSc
University of Miami School of Medicine
Outline
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Definitions
Statistics
Risks
Causes
Prevention
Drowning: Definitions
• Drowning
– A suffocation resulting in death < 24 hours of
being submerged in water
• Near Drowning
– An incident resulting in survival > 24 hours
after being submerged in water
Drowning Statistics
• In 2000, there were 3482 unintentional drownings in
the United States, an average of 9/day.
– U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• It is estimated that for each drowning death, there are
1 to 4 nonfatal submersions serious enough to result
in hospitalization……..with at least half of survivors
suffering significant neurologic impairment.
– American Academy of Pediatrics
Drowning Statistics
• Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of injury-related
death among children < 15 years.
– U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
• 19% drowning deaths involving children occur in
public pools with certified lifeguards present.
– Drowning Prevention Foundation
Why Should We Care?
• The State of Florida averages 400 deaths/yr
• California, Arizona & Florida
– Leading cause of injury related death for
children < 5 years
• Cost of Drowning & Near Drowning
– $400,000,000/year
Who is Affected?
Vulnerable Populations
– Geography: Southern States
– Gender: Males > 81% of drowning victims
– Age: Children are the most vulnerable
Differences by Race
Vulnerable Populations
• Race
– Blacks: age adjusted drowning rate > 1.5 times
– Difference dependent on age range:
< 4 yrs: Whites have a higher rates
> 4 yrs: Black children 2.5 times
Differences by Race
Vulnerable Populations
• Race
– American Indians & Alaska Native
children 2x
– Unlike white children, they tend to drown
in natural bodies of water
Why do people drown?
"(She) was left unattended for about one or two
minutes when she drowned Monday, police
said." (AP)
Jacksonville was the location of the tragedy, the
victim aged 18 months, the setting a bathtub.
But 15 times in 1998 similar stories were
repeated in Lee County. Six (6) of the dead
were < 18 years.
Why to people Drown?
Why do people drown?
Causes
• Access
• Ethanol
– > 50% for Adolescents & Adults
• Adult Supervision
– Children
• Lack of Education
Where: Bathtubs
Where: Buckets & Toilets
Where: Pools
pool
Marine Waters
Where: Lakes & Other Water
Bodies
Where: Recreational Water
Activities
Where: Occupational Water
Activities
Ethanol & Water Activities
Prevention
f
Prevention: Pool Fencing
Prevention: Education & Warnings
Buckets
Prevention: Education & Warnings
Prevention: Targeted Education
Prevention: Swimming & CPR
Conclusions
Drowning is preventable
– Warnings
• Supervision
– Targeted Education
• Age etc
• Access
– Intervention
Thank you
Gina Mena (2001)