Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death, with an estimated 360,000 drowning deaths annually worldwide. Drowning can occur in open water environments like lakes, rivers, and oceans and confined bodies of water like pools. However, the risks differ significantly between these locations. Continue reading for insights into safer water practices for open water and pools.

Open Water and Pools Share Several Drowning Risks

Several drowning risks are shared by open water and swimming pools, including:

1. Lack of Supervision: One of the primary factors leading to drowning incidents in both open water and swimming pools is the absence of adequate supervision. The risk is exceptionally high for children and non-swimmers. Even a momentary lapse can lead to a tragic outcome without someone to monitor and intervene in emergencies. Supervision should be active and continuous, with adults keeping children within arm’s reach and avoiding distractions such as mobile phones or socializing.
2. Inability to Swim: Individuals who lack swimming skills or are weak swimmers are at a significantly increased risk of drowning in any water setting. In open waters, unpredictable conditions like currents and waves can overwhelm inexperienced swimmers. Similarly, depths and edges can be misleading in pools, leading to panic and accidents. It’s crucial for everyone, especially children, to receive formal swimming lessons and water safety education.
3. Alcohol Use: The consumption of alcohol is a common risk factor for drowning in both open waters and pools. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination, which are essential for safe water navigation. It can also lead to risk-taking behaviors, reduced inhibitions, and overestimating one’s swimming abilities. The combination of these effects dramatically increases the likelihood of accidents and drowning incidents.
4. Seizures: For individuals with seizure disorders, the risk of drowning is heightened in aquatic environments. A seizure episode while in the water can lead to a loss of consciousness or control, making it difficult or impossible to keep one’s head above water. This risk is present in open water’s unpredictability and pools’ contained environments. It’s essential for individuals with seizure disorders to swim with a companion and inform lifeguards of their condition.
5. Environmental Factors: In open water, environmental factors like strong currents, waves, and sudden changes in depth can catch swimmers off guard, leading to drowning incidents. Slippery surfaces, unclear water, and crowded conditions can create pool hazards.
6. Fatigue and Exhaustion: Swimming requires physical exertion, and both open-water and pool swimmers can become fatigued, especially if they overestimate their stamina or swim in challenging conditions. Fatigue can lead to an inability to stay afloat or return to safety.
7. Temperature Extremes: Cold water can cause hypothermia, leading to disorientation and exhaustion. In contrast, extremely warm water can lead to overheating or dehydration. Both scenarios are risky in any water setting.
8. Lack of Safety Equipment: In both open water and pools, the absence of safety equipment like life jackets, pool fences, and rescue devices increases the risk of drowning, particularly for children and non-swimmers.

By understanding and mitigating these risks, swimmers can enjoy water activities more safely in open-water and swimming pool environments.

Open Water Elevates Drowning Risks

Drowning incidents in open water, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes, significantly surpass those in swimming pools. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that natural water bodies are the sites of over 90% of drowning deaths globally. The alarming statistic can be attributed to several key factors that amplify the risks associated with open-water environments:

1. Unpredictable Environmental Conditions: Open waters are inherently unpredictable. Factors such as uneven surfaces, intense and often hidden currents, rapidly changing weather patterns, and potential marine hazards like rocks or aquatic life contribute to the dangerous nature of these environments.
2. Lack of Supervision and Safety Measures: Unlike pools, many natural water settings do not have lifeguards or adequate safety oversight. This absence of structured safety protocols and immediate rescue assistance heightens the danger for swimmers, especially in emergencies.
3. Exposure to Cold Water Temperatures: The temperatures in natural bodies of water can be deceivingly cold, leading to the rapid onset of hypothermia. This condition can incapacitate swimmers, impairing their judgment and physical abilities and increasing the likelihood of drowning.
4. Challenges Due to Remote Locations: Many open water sites are remote. In an emergency, the distance and difficulty in accessing these locations can delay rescue efforts, compounding the severity of the situation.

Combining these factors makes open water a much more treacherous environment for swimming and water-based activities, necessitating heightened awareness and caution from individuals engaging in such activities.

The Drowning Risks of Swimming Pools 

While swimming pools offer a more controlled environment than open water, with clear water, defined depths, and often the presence of lifeguards, they are not risk-free. Drowning in pools, especially among children, is a significant concern. Here are some common risks associated with drowning in pools:

1. Lack of Barriers: Children or pets can easily access pools without fences or barriers, increasing the risk of accidental drownings.
2. Slippery Surfaces: Wet and slippery surfaces around pools can lead to falls into the water, which is particularly dangerous for small children and older adults.
3. Poor Pool Maintenance: Unclear water and malfunctioning pool equipment can hinder rescue efforts and increase drowning risks.
4. Overcrowding: Overcrowded pools make it difficult to notice someone struggling in the water.
5. Lack of Awareness of Water Depth: Misjudging the depth of the pool can lead to diving accidents and potential drownings.

Implementing safety measures like supervision, learning swimming skills, installing barriers, maintaining the pool area, and having the necessary safety equipment on hand to minimize these risks is crucial.

Everyone Can Help Prevent Drowning

Whether you’re enjoying a day at the beach, boating on a river, or swimming at a pool, enjoy the water by being attentive and aware of your surroundings.
Together, we can end the heartache of losing a loved one due to drowning. Donate now to help us provide water safety outreach to schools and community groups to keep everyone safe.