Healthier Together: Looking at ways to prevent drowning

Our recent hot temperatures sent people running to find ways to cool down, including heading into the water.

Summertime is a dangerous time because of the dangers of drowning.

Healthier Together KIRO 7′s Ranji Sinha spoke to Dr. Nicole St. Clair, Executive Medical Director of Regence BlueShield, to learn about the dangers water activities can pose.

Dr. St. Clair says many medical professionals are alarmed drowning deaths are trending up.

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen, and maybe folks have heard, there’s been an increase in drownings,” Dr. St. Clair said.

It’s the time of year when people think of cooling off by dipping in shallow and deep water.

Summertime fun can also turn tragic. A new CDC study shows drowning deaths are increasing in the US after years of decline.

It’s estimated that more than 4,500 people died from drowning each year from 2020 to 2022, a trend that could continue.

“It’s no different this summer. What we’ve actually seen is a year-over-year increase, especially as we are in this hot weather,” Dr. St. Clair said.

Even more alarming, the group that’s getting hit hardest are children ages 1 to 4.

Dr. St. Clair echoed the sobering stat that drowning is the leading cause of death in that age group.

“The reason why it’s specifically one and not younger is it has to do with when kids are up and mobile, and they’re able to slip out of our line of sight very briefly… it only takes a split second for a toddler to wander off and fall into the water,” Dr. St. Clair said.

Dr. St. Clair says studies have borne out that three groups are at significant risk for drowning: children ages 1-4, adults 65 and older, and Black people.

The reasons for the alarming rise in drowning deaths vary.

According to the CDC, there’s a lack of access to basic swimming and water safety skills.

That situation has led to nearly 40 million adults in the US not knowing how to swim.

More than half of adults have never taken a swimming lesson.

One in three Black adults also reported not knowing how to swim.

After those conditions, throw in expensive swim lessons along with cultural barriers to learning how to swim, and it creates conditions for drowning.

“Sometimes the water is not as hot as the weather may suggest, so people may find themselves jumping into water that’s a little cooler than expected, and that can also have an impact on having a little bit higher risk of having some distress,” Dr. St. Clair said.

Our region around Puget Sound has seen a drop in people applying to be lifeguards, leaving many beaches and shore areas without protection.

Dr. St. Clair says those guards are critical for rapid response to people in distress in the water.

“It’s difficult with the lifeguard shortage, and I would encourage young folks to consider if they would maybe want to be a lifeguard; it’s such a great experience,” Dr. St. Clair said.

The CDC is urging policymakers and communities to build more inclusive swim programs.

Another recommendation being floated is that anyone on or near water wear a lifejacket, especially children, and avoid mixing drugs and alcohol with recreation near water.