Summer’s here: Some sobering stats about drowning, plus prevention tips from the government

The summer swimming season is upon us and across the nation our attentions are being drawn to the pools and beaches.

But this is also the perfect time to reflect on some disturbing facts in hopes of not joining a startling set of statistics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week (May 18) released a new study that found that drowning is the leading cause of injury deaths for children in the US between the ages of 1 and 4.

According to the report, children in that age group have the highest rates of both fatal and non-fatal drowning, with half of all fatal incidents occurring in swimming pools.

Analyzing national death and accident records from 2005–2009, the CDC report found that, on average, 3,880 people annually die in the US due to drowning. That's 1.29 deaths per 100,000 population. And an estimated 5,790 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for non-fatal drowning.

The drowning death rate among men was nearly four times that of women, the study also found.

Overall, drowning rates have dropped in the last decade and that's a good sign that prevention efforts are working, but it's not a reason to let down your guard, especially when it comes to our youngest.

Authors of the study also offer tips to prevent drowning, suggesting that:

• Parents and children should learn survival swimming skills.
• Environmental protections, such as isolation pool fences and lifeguards, should be in place.
• Alcohol should be avoided while swimming, boating, water skiing, or supervising children.
• Lifejackets should be used by all boaters and weaker swimmers.
• Caregivers and supervisors should have CPR training.

Attorneys of Ross Feller Casey, LLP have built a remarkable record of victories in drowning and swimming related cases, amassing a long list of seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. They include:
• A $10 million recovery for a child who drowned in a swimming pool.
• A $6.6 million verdict for the family of a 8-year-old boy who drowned after the lifeguards at his summer camp abandoned their post.
• A $5.5 million recovery for the family of a 15-year-old boy who drowned in a hotel swimming pool.
• A $4.5 million recovery for a man who suffered injuries after he fell into an above-ground pool because of a ladder defect.
• A multi-million recovery for the family of a 10-year-old girl who drowned in a New Jersey apartment complex pool "guarded" by two-lifeguards.