How to prevent drowning

Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid. Outcomes are classified as death, morbidity and no morbidity.

There are around 300,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide.

Drowning disproportionately impacts children and young people. Children aged under 5 years account for nearly a quarter of all drowning deaths.

Drowning is the fourth leading cause of death for children aged 1–4 years and the third leading cause of death for children aged 5–14 years.

Ninety-two per cent of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.