In France, drowning is a major public health issue, as it accounts for more than 500 accidental deaths each year and can sometimes result in serious long-term effects. The NOYADES 2009 survey was conducted between June and September 2009 by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance and the Civil Protection Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior, Overseas France, and Local Authorities. This survey identified all drowning victims who were subsequently hospitalized or died. The objective was to describe the characteristics and risk factors of accidental drownings to help prevent them. The NOYADES 2009 survey recorded 1,366 drownings, of which 462 (34%) resulted in death, including: 14% were children under 6 years of age (197 drownings, including 39 deaths), and 41% were adults over 45 years of age (566, including 257 deaths). The demographic characteristics of the victims and the circumstances of the drowning depend on the location: 186 drownings occurred in private pools (48 deaths), 53 in public pools (6 deaths), 151 in rivers and streams (97 deaths), 144 in lakes or ponds (96 deaths), 781 at sea (187 deaths), and 51 in other locations (28 deaths). In private pools, children under 6 drowned primarily due to a lack of adult supervision and their inability to swim. In rivers and bodies of water, drownings often occur after a fall, during solitary activities, or after alcohol consumption. At sea, the victims were often tourists over 45 years old or people with health issues. These findings form the basis for specific prevention messages such as: ensure close adult supervision of young children, learn to swim as early as possible, swim in supervised swimming areas, do not overestimate your physical abilities, and check sea and weather conditions. (R.A.)