Drowning: Prevention and Vigilance Remain Essential

cp_noyade_bilan2024_20250522.pdf

Published on 22 May 2025

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Santé publique France
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Stéphanie Champion: 01 41 79 67 48
Marie Delibéros: 01 41 79 69 61
Camille Le Hyaric: 01 41 79 68 64

As the summer season approaches, Santé publique France has released its annual report on drownings that occurred during the summer of 2024: it highlights a persistently high number of drownings, particularly fatal ones, affecting all age groups and all types of swimming locations (the ocean, swimming pools, rivers, and lakes). In light of these findings, the ministries of Health and Sports, along with Santé publique France, are reminding the public of the essential safety measures to follow at any age when swimming or engaging in water activities.

In the summer of 2024, a concerning rise in drowning incidents during heat waves

56%

of drowning victims are adults

According to data released today by Santé publique France, between June 1 and September 30, 2024, 1,244 drowning incidents were recorded, 350 of which resulted in death, or 28%. This figure remains stable compared to 2023. However, the results show a 41% increase in drownings for the period from July 16 to August 15, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, likely linked to repeated heat waves, which made swimming very appealing.

Adults account for 56% of drowning victims, and children under 6 account for just over a quarter (29%) of drownings.

Among drowning incidents resulting in death, 9 out of 10 involve adults. Across all age groups, approximately half of all drowning deaths occur in rivers or bodies of water. For other locations, the majority of drowning deaths among adults occur at sea, while drowning incidents resulting in death among those under 18 mainly occur in private swimming pools.

More than half of all drownings (60%) and fatal drownings (53%) occur in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. As some of France’s most popular tourist destinations, these regions also have the highest concentration of private family pools and a significant number of rivers and bodies of water.

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22 May 2025

Drowning incidents in France. Summer 2024 monitoring report.

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Drowning incidents under epidemiological surveillance from June 1 to September 30, 2025

The drowning surveillance system in France was updated in 2023 at the request of the ministries responsible for health and sports. It is based on accidental drownings recorded through emergency room visits for drowning and drownings resulting in death at the scene of the incident in mainland France and the overseas territories, between June 1 and September 30.

Data on drownings not resulting in death come from the OSCOUR® surveillance network (Organization for Coordinated Emergency Surveillance), coordinated by Santé publique France, while data on drownings resulting in death at the scene of the incident are collected by the National System for Monitoring Water Sports Safety (SNOSAN).

During the summer of 2025, three status updates will be shared with all stakeholders involved in surveillance and prevention, enabling them to track changes in the number of recorded drownings and adapt prevention messages throughout the season. These updates will also be published on the Agency’s website, accessible to everyone.

For the summer of 2025, a prevention campaign targeting those most at risk of drowning

Accidental drownings most commonly affect children under 6 and older adults (65 and older). For the summer of 2025, the prevention campaign by the ministries of health and sports will renew its messages on constant and close supervision of children—the “You care about them, don’t take your eyes off them!” campaign. In addition, it will strengthen prevention efforts targeting older adults to remind them of the importance of considering their physical condition and health status.

This campaign takes the form of posters and videos, distributed at sports facilities, beach clubs, and campground swimming pools, as well as to healthcare professionals.

Children

Poster: “Swimming: Watch Out for Drowning Accidents Involving Children!”

Affiche « Baignade : attention aux noyades des enfants ! »

Videos featuring parent testimonials

Vidéos témoignages de parents à regarder sur le site www.sports.gouv.fr

Seniors

Poster: “For safe swimming, let’s talk about health!”

Affiche « Pour une baignade sans danger, parlons santé ! »

Awareness videos

Vidéos de sensibilisation à regarder sur le site www.sports.gouv.fr

Access prevention tools:

Swimming and water activities: beware of drowning! | sante.gouv.fr
Drowning Prevention Communication Kit | sports.gouv.fr

Tips for Safe Swimming at Any Age

For all ages

Swimming involves risks, but simple precautions can be taken to ensure safety.

For children

Before and during swimming,
- Actively and constantly supervise young children
- Never take your eyes off young children when they are playing near the water
- Swim with young children when they are in the water
- Assign one adult per child to supervise them while swimming
Throughout the year
- Teach children to swim as early as possible and familiarize them with the aquatic environment from a very young age
- Baby swimming (up to age 3)
- Water confidence (ages 4 to 6)
- Swimming lessons (ages 6 and up)

For adults

Before and during swimming
- Follow safety guidelines and swimming restrictions
- Choose supervised swimming areas secured by professional lifeguards
- Check the weather conditions
- Postpone swimming if you feel unwell (fatigue, health issues, chills, etc.)
- Avoid drinking alcohol before swimming
- Let a friend or family member know before swimming
- Enter the water gradually by wetting your head, neck, and stomach to avoid thermal shock, especially when there is a significant difference between water and air temperatures
All year round
- It’s never too late to start learning to swim

For older adults

Adjust the intensity and distance of your swim to your abilities: take your fitness level into account and don’t overestimate your swimming ability
Consult your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you have a chronic condition or are taking medication