For the first time in decades, the number of drowning deaths in the United States is on the rise. Researchers say part of the reason for the spike is the pandemic when many pools were closed.
iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1252976430/1252991405" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesA child watches others swim at the Emancipation Swimming Pool in Houston on July 19, 2022.Drowning deaths in the U.S.
, 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.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.
"Basically the faucet was turned off," Ramos said."Lifeguards were not being trained. Children were not being taught swim lessons." For backyard pools, Ramos said groups should designate one, non-distracted person whose sole focus is keeping an eye on the swimmers. They can wear a tag around their neck, and if they have to get up they can give that tag to another person to ensure that someone is always paying attention to the pool."I'm not sure why we haven't done this, but in lifeguarding we say the lifeguard's job is patron surveillance. That's their No. 1 job," Ramos said.
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