Drowning and Injuries

Drowning and falling, diving, pool chemical use, and suction injuries continue to be major public health injuries associated with aquatic facilities. Drowning is a leading cause of injury death for young children and a leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages.

Drowning and falling, diving, chemical use, and suction injuries continue to be major public health injuries associated with AQUATIC FACILITIES. Drowning is a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 4, and the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages.²¹,²² From 2008 through 2010, an average of 5,100 POOL- or SPA-related emergency department (ED)-treated submersion injuries occurred each year. For 2006-2008, 383 POOL- or SPA-related fatalities involved children younger than 15 years of age. Approximately 45% of the estimated injuries for 2008 through 2010 and 28% of the fatalities for 2006 through 2008 involving children younger than 15 occurred in a public setting.²³