For the summer of 2020, Santé publique France, at the request of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health, has implemented a specific monitoring program for drownings and is today releasing the results for the first observation period (June 1–30). Finally, the agency will highlight essential safety precautions for swimming in a radio segment to be broadcast this summer.

A surveillance system based on emergency room visits

The 30% increase in accidental drownings recorded in the 2018 NOYADES survey compared to the 2015 survey led public authorities to take strong measures, including the “Water Safety” Plan developed by the Ministry of Sports in collaboration with the Ministries of National Education and Youth, the Interior, and Health. The drowning surveillance system implemented for the summer of 2020 by Santé publique France is a continuation of these measures.

The objective is to record, on a daily basis, drownings that required emergency room visits from June 1 to August 31, using data from the OSCOUR®¹ network (emergency room visits).

Based on this data, Santé publique France produces three indicators:

• The number of emergency room visits for drowning in 2018, 2019, and 2020 (coverage: national // for all ages and by age group)

• The daily trend in the number of emergency room visits due to drowning for all ages in 2018, 2019, and 2020 (coverage: national)

• The number of emergency room visits for drowning for all ages, for all of France (metropolitan France and overseas departments and regions) and by metropolitan region and overseas department and region, for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020

Decline in emergency room visits for drowning in particular

The initial results of the surveillance for the period from June 1 to 30, 2020, show:

• A 29% decrease in emergency room visits due to drowning in France (157 emergency room visits for drowning in June 2020, compared to 210 in 2018 and 233 in 2019), a decline likely linked to the closure of swimming pools (public or private) and restrictive access conditions at certain beaches until June 22, as well as less favorable weather conditions than in June 2018 and 2019.

• Children under 6 years of age (45%) remain the most affected.

• The decline affects all regions except Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays-de-la-Loire, and the Overseas Territories. Coastal regions continue to record the highest number of emergency room visits for drowning during the period.

Swimming Safely: What Precautions Should You Take?

While swimming carries risks, most drownings are preventable. Santé publique France reminds us of the right preventive measures:

• Learn to swim, even as an adult: it’s never too late!

• Don’t overestimate your physical fitness;

• Swim in supervised areas and take into account weather conditions, safety guidelines, and restrictions;

• Keep a close and constant watch on your child while swimming or swim with them;

• Wet your head, neck, and stomach, and enter the water gradually to avoid thermal shock;

• Do not drink alcohol before swimming.

In the current context, it is also recommended to follow COVID-19 guidelines, including social distancing both in and out of the water.

A radio segment on the topic of “drowning prevention during heat waves” has been specially produced to air in anticipation of upcoming heat waves.