Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid and is not always fatal. It most often occurs quickly and quietly during periods of inadequate supervision. Adult supervision is often a common contributing factor for childhood drowning.
Three main components of adequate supervisory behavior are:
It is important to stress that no single intervention is fully protective. Rather, multiple layers of protection are recommended.
According to preliminary data, King County reported 30 preventable drowning deaths in 2023; maintaining a high level over the past five years. Factors contributing to these deaths include cold water temperatures, lifeguard shortages, and inequitable access to swimming lessons. A significant portion of drownings also involved alcohol or drugs. Black residents faced a drowning rate twice the county average. Efforts are being made to expand access to public pools and swimming lessons to improve safety and reduce these incidents.
Risks related to race and ethnicity are likely related to differences in exposure, behavior, knowledge, and skills. Further research is imperative to learn more about racial and ethnic disparities in drowning and guide effective prevention interventions. Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center is continuing to build community-academic partnerships that can make a difference in water safety and drowning prevention through lifeguard training, community-responsive aquatic programming, and research. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also updated its prior Drowning Guidelines Report with NEW information and research.
Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Designate a responsible adult who’s job is to watch each child closely and constantly when in or near water (including bathtubs). You can assign a specific adult to supervise each child when they have access to water. Adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading, using the phone, and consuming alcohol or drugs, because drowning happens quickly and quietly. After swim time is over, shut and lock doors that give access to water. Be proactive and learn about any risks when visiting another home or unfamiliar location. Adults should supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present.
Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. Children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water.
Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or other water activities. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
Construct and use a four-sided fence that is at least four feet in height and fully encloses the pool and separates it from the house, with self-closing and self-latching gates. Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool when the pool is not in use.
Check out if the designated swim area is safe, pack a life jacket, ensure there’s a lifeguard on duty!
Lakes, rivers, and oceans have hidden hazards such as dangerous currents or waves, rocks or vegetation, and limited visibility. Check the forecast before activities in, on, or near water. Local weather conditions can change quickly and cause dangerous flash floods, strong winds, and thunderstorms with lightning strikes.
In Washington:
Your CPR skills could save someone’s life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive. Many organizations such as American Red Cross and American Heart Association offer CPR training courses, both online and in-person.
Choose swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible. Even strong swimmers can drown. When the unexpected happens, lifeguards can help swimmers stay safe.
Life jackets reduce the risk of drowning while boating for people of all ages and swimming abilities. Life jackets should be used by children for all activities while in and around natural water. Life jackets can also be used by weaker swimmers of all ages in and around natural water and swimming pools. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys, as these are not safety devices.
When kids or weak swimmers are IN or AROUND water, make sure they are actively supervised at all times by designating a Water Watcher. Choose a responsible adult who agrees to wear a Water Watcher sticker and watch the kids without distractions for a designated amount of time (such as 15-minutes). Once time is up, the Water Watcher sticker should be passed to a new responsible adult to provide supervision.
Download a FREE Water Watcher Sticker today >>
The AAP supports swimming lessons for children older than 1 year. Swim lessons are increasingly available for children with various disabilities, including autism, or other health conditions. Track your swimmer’s learning progress with this FREE app sponsored by the ZAC Foundation (TEXT “SWIM” to 90999 to download the app — or you can search for American Red Cross in the iTunes app store or GooglePlay).
Interested in becoming a Lifeguard? The HIPRC and local community partners will cover the costs of your Student Lifeguard Training and Certification and help you to locate a job opportunity as a Lifeguard. TO CERTIFY: Students must be age 15 by the (final) day of lifeguard training. Spread the word & register today >>
Stay tuned for 2025 announcements!
Most of the young children who drowned were last seen in the home, had been out of sight for less than 5 minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning. Swimming pools (unlike open bodies of water) have fewer drowning hazards. However, swimming pools can still pose serious risks to children and adults who do not know how to swim.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, all pools whether in-ground or aboveground must have:
Entrapment and hair entanglement remain causes of injury and drowning in the pediatric population. Hair entanglement typically involves girls with long hair who are underwater near a suction outlet. The water flow into the drain sweeps the hair into and around the drain cover, where it becomes entangled in the holes and protrusions of the cover. Other types of entrapment involve a limb or body part. This scenario often involves a child playing with an open drain, inserting a hand or foot into the pipe, and then becoming trapped by increasing suction and resulting tissue swelling.
Measures you can take to prevent entrapment and hair entanglement:
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH)
Whether you prefer swimming, dogpaddling, or just splashing around to cool off, Washington State has dozens of ways to get outside and safely enjoy the water this summer!
Check out these resources:
Seattle/King County – Parks & Recreation
**Stay tuned for 2025 updates**
Washington State Parks – Washington has more than 140 state parks, historic sites, trails, marine parks and properties for you to explore. Browse through our parks or customize your search with the filters. You’re sure to find your next great adventure!
When boating in open water such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and the ocean — YOU CAN NEVER BE TOTALLY SAFE, BUT YOU CAN BE BETTER PREPARED.
Too often pleasure outings turn tragic—as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual, YOU can help prevent injury on our waterways.
Learn more about boating education requirements, laws, life jacket loaner stations, and safety resources >>
On May 15, 2024, Washington State recognized its first annual Water Safety Day.
Water Safety Day was created with the passing of House Bill 1750, also known as Yori’s Law. The bill was sponsored by Chezik Tsunoda, a water safety advocate and founder of the non-profit, No More Under. This day of observance raises national awareness to the dangers of drowning and promotes water safety skills.
Learn more about 2025’s Water Safety Day >> coming soon!
The Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center engages with communities and works with local, state, and national partners on research to better understand who is most at risk for drowning and what measures can keep people safe. This is especially important in racial and ethnically diverse communities that have historically been overlooked when it comes to water safety. Our Center strives to better understand who has access to formal swim instruction, and the role swim lessons play in keeping children safe, with private, nonprofit, and public sector partners.
Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about Drowning Prevention & Water Safety topics — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!