Citation

MSMR 2015; 22(6): 2-5.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, U.S. Armed Forces Surveillance Center)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

26115168

Abstract

Service members are at risk for unintentional drownings during training, occupational activities, and off-duty recreation. During 2005-2014, there were 1,193 incident episodes of accidental drowning with a rate of 8.4 per 100,000 person-years. Approximately one in six (n=162; 13.6%) of drowning episodes resulted in death. The overall incidence rate of accidental drowning decreased during the surveillance period; however, the death rate remained relatively stable. Incidence rates overall and death rates were relatively high among service members who were male, young, and in either the Navy or Marine Corps. The percentage of cases that were fatal was greatest among black, non-Hispanic service members. The results of this report may be useful to increase awareness regarding the ongoing risks and effects of drowning-related episodes among U.S. service members.

Language: en