It’s among common belief that drownings happen most often with children. That is not, however, necessarily so. While drowning has declined overall from 1999 to 2010, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and young adults account for the decrease. Among adults ages 45-84, drownings have increased by nearly 10%.
More than 70% of those who drown each year in the United States are adults, and the percentage of drownings in lakes, rivers and oceans rises with age. Approximately 80% of drowning victims are boys or men.
Recent drownings reported in and near Albany, NY have echoed these statistics. In July 2014, a 49 year-old Clifton Park man drowned near a public launch in Saratoga, a 67 year-old Scotia man drowned while docking his boat on the Sacandaga and a 59-year old man from Westerlo in Albany County drowned while fishing on Lake George.
The reason for the high numbers of drownings among adults may be due to the fact that many adults fear the water and avoid learning how to swim. Unfortunately, they may even pass this reluctance onto their children. It is important for people of all ages to learn how to swim. It is especially important to teach your children how to swim at a young age. Swimming can be enjoyed by people of all ages and with the weather heating up this summer, public swimming pools and beaches become more crowded. Before you head to the public beaches or pools this summer, it is important to know basic swimming safety tips such as the following:
1. always swim in designated swimming areas in which lifeguards are present;
2. always swim with a buddy;
3. never leave a young child unattended near water;
4. if your child is an inexperienced swimmer, have him or her wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket;
5. enroll your children in swimming lessons;
6. if you have a pool, secure it with an appropriate barrier/fence;
7. avoid distractions when supervising children; and
8. never dive in the water in a no diving zone.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a swimming accident, contact Maynard O’Connor Law’s personal injury lawyers immediately at 800-721-3553 for a free case appraisal, or schedule a free consultation online.
References:
- Unintentional Drowning: CDC Research & Activities
- Drowning Was the Cause of Missing Fisherman’s Death, Channel 10 News, Albany, NY ( news story )
- Man Drowns in Sacandaga While Trying to Dock Boat, Channel 10 News, Albany, NY ( news story )
- Body Pulled From Saratoga Lake; Drowning Victim Identified, SaratogaWire.com, Saratoga, NY (news story )
