Why we should talk about child drowning?

This is one of the main causes of death* of children and teens in the world.

*According to WHO (World Heath Organization) data.

Every hour more than 40 people die by drowning.
Among those, the main victims are children.

The highest drowning rates worldwide are among children from 1 to 4 years old, followed bt children 5 to 9 years old. At world levels, boys are twice as likely to drown than girls.

In the Western Pacific region, children from 5 to 14 years old die more frequently due to drowning than to other causes. Therefore the number of deaths caused by drowning is higher than that caused by road accidents, congenital anomalies, leukemia, lower respiratory tract infections, epilepsy, dengue, and meningitis.

World data – source: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/143893/9789241564786-por.pdf

Child drowning in Florida

Drowning is the main of death of children between 0 and 4 years old in Florida

Florida Deptartment of Health
https://gazetanews.com/editorial-afogamento-e-causa-numero-de-morte-de-criancas-menores-de-4-anos/

In 2017, 67 children between 1 and 4 years old were hospitalized after drowning.

When it does not kill, drowning leaves several after effects in children, mainly causing severe neurological damages. Some children will need medical care for their entire life.

A child wheighing less than 65 pounds may drown in 30 seconds.

We must act fast. This is not only about rescuing children from drowning, but preventing drowning occurring at all, thus avoiding death and potential disability of our children.

The Susan Forever Project’s Mission