Drowning deaths in the U.S. were on the decline for decades, but a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that fatalities have been increasing since 2020.
While it’s not exactly clear what’s causing the spike, public health experts believe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could be at least in part to blame.
Adam Katchmarchi, CEO of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), said there were signs recently that fatal drownings were increasing, but the national figures were stark.
“Shocking, to say the least, that we have seen these dramatic increases,” Katchmarchi said.
According to the CDC report, there were around 4,000 accidental drowning deaths in the U.S. in 2019. That jumped to more than 4,500 fatalities annually in 2020, 2021 and 2022 — roughly a 10% increase.
During the pandemic, public pools closed and lifeguards went home
The reasons for the increase in drowning deaths aren’t known for certain, but public health officials say the lockdowns and closures related to the pandemic affected how people interacted with the water recreationally.
LAIST SAFETY TIPS FOR THE WATER
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Now that the weather is warmer, Angelenos are looking for ways to get outside and cool off — but conditions in the water can change quickly, and knowing how to stay safe in the water beforehand could make all the difference.
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Check out our safety tips for the beach and the outdoors.
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