Drowning Deaths

With 23 miles of beach frontage and 126 navigable miles of canals, it is not surprising that drowning deaths are a common mortality cause in Broward County.

In 2000, there were 68 drowning deaths, in 1999, there were 66 drowning deaths, and in 1998, there were 70 reported drowning deaths. The general epidemiologic pattern of these cases, however, are very similar, with most of the drowning occurring in fresh water (55%) and the remainder in canals and salt water (45%). However, in 1999 and 2000, there were 134 drowning deaths and of those, 51 (38%) were in canals. 

In Broward County, Fort Lauderdale had the highest incidents of drowning deaths, with 20 fatalities. Miramar followed with 7, Hollywood, Pompano Beach and Sunrise all had 6. 

Residential pools accounted for 23 of the drowning deaths, while canals claimed 24 lives and the ocean, 6. The other fatalities occurred in lakes, the Intracoastal Waterway, rivers, hot tubs, the Everglades, and bathtubs. The vast majority of drownings continue to be accidental, with suicides accounting for only seven deaths. 

According to Broward County's Medical Examiner, there were a total of 34 drowning deaths of children 5 and under in Broward County from 1998 to 2000, which is an average of 11 deaths a year. The majority of these drownings occurred in residential pools while children were unattended. Unprotected in-ground pools are 60 percent more likely to be involved in drownings than pools with complete four-sided isolation fencing. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water. For every child who drowns, four others are hospitalized for near-drowning, and as many as three suffer brain damage. 

Did You Know... from 1998 to 2000 there were a total of 34 drowning deaths of children 5 and under in Broward County, an average of 11 deaths a year. A decrease from 13 in prior years. The majority of drownings occur in residential pools while children are unattended. For every child who drowns, four others are hospitalized for near-drowning, and as many as three suffer brain damage. Fifteen percent of children admitted for near-drowning die in the hospital. Typical medical costs for a near-drowning victim can range from $75,000 for initial emergency-room treatment to $180,000 a year for long-term care, while a near-drowning that results in brain damage can ultimately cost more than $4.5 million.

Unprotected in-ground pools are 60 percent more likely to be involved in drownings than pools with complete four-sided isolation fencing.

The majority of children who drown in swimming pools were last seen in the home, had been missing from sight for less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning.