Can you swim? Turns out to be a good question. According to the CDC, 54.7% of U.S. adults have never had a swimming lesson.
The CDC points out that “drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States, following decades of decline…”. From 2020 to 2022 there were 500 more drowning deaths “per year compared to 2019.”
Drowning is the number 1 cause of death in children age 1-4 in the U.S. Adults age 65 and older have a higher incidence of deaths by drowning than younger adults.
Drowning is more common among Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Black Americans. This is likely due to fewer of them having water safety and swimming lessons.
The CDC recommends that virtually everyone learn how to swim. They also recommend the following safety measures:
1. Wear a life jacket whenever you are on a boat.
2. Put up a fence completely around swimming pools.
3. Do not drink alcohol before or while swimming or boating.
4. Learn CPR skills.
5. Close supervision of young children in the water is extremely important.
Especially during the summer when more people go to the beach or a swimming pool, we can all benefit from this advice.
Peter M. Hartmann, MD
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
