drowning

Why this is important: There are many measures that can lower the risk of drowning. Among children 1-4 years of age, most drownings occur in residential swimming pools. Supervision and barriers, such as fencing around a pool, are important preventive measures for children. In natural water settings, such as rivers or lakes, the risk of drowning increases with age. Alcohol use and not wearing a life jacket are factors in many natural water drownings.

Definition: Rate of deaths by unintentional drowning or submersion per 100,000 individuals. The rate includes drowning or submersion deaths caused by a boating accident. (ICD10 codes V90, V92, W65-W74)

Data Source: Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, Death Certificates, Calculations and presentation of data by Spokane Regional Health District, Data Center.