The drowning stats for May 2023 are here and they are some of the best ever! In fact, in the past 14 years, this is the lowest amount of drowning incidents on record. Of course, that doesn’t mean it was a perfect month. With 181 drownings, there is definitely plenty of room for improvement.
Read on to learn more.
Understanding the Drowning Stats for May 2023
Each and every month, the team at Total Aquatic Programming shares meticulous data about drownings and their causes. Using this information, water safety experts are able to track how many drowning incidents happened over the month.
As with every month, the drowning stats for May 2023 can provide much needed data. Many times, certain patterns become evident once the data is analyzed. As a result, trends emerge and areas where more education is needed become more obvious. By looking at the numbers from the past 14 years, experts can see whether there are any areas for improvement.
Working like this, it can help lifeguards, swimming instructors and other safety experts to improve education. This can take the form of new teaching techniques, additional warning signs near the water and more. By employing this approach, experts can devise strategies that will help to prevent additional individuals from drowning.
This information proves particularly beneficial as it aids water safety professionals in their teaching. These improved teachings can show individuals on how to ensure their wellbeing in aquatic environments and to effectively save others in distressing circumstances.
These monthly drowning statistics cover over 15 different factors related to each incident across the nation, including:
- date,
- state,
- city,
- county,
- age,
- gender of the victim,
- recorded ethnicity,
- body of water,
- and other relevant circumstances.
Chart: Drowning Stats for May 2023
As stated, the drowning stats for May 2023 are a vast improvement over the other years on record. Of course, we would still like to see even lower numbers. The goal will always be to get that number down to zero. This may seem like an impossible task, but with proper preparation, drowning is preventable. For example, there was a slight increase in drowning incidents for kids 12 and under. With better education and training, kids would be more adequately prepared for the water.
In the next sections, we’ll take a deeper dive on one of the main causes of this month’s drowning incidents:
Fishing Issues
Each month, we focus on some of the factors that contributed to some of that month’s drowning issues. For example, in May, fishing safety played a fairly large part in contributing to drownings.
Whether you’re fishing or just going for a swim, the golden rule is to always be prepared. For one, that means taking swimming lessons. Fortunately, these lessons are available for everyone. Age is not a factor. In the event of a sudden plunge, being able to swim proficiently is an invaluable skill.
If you are heading out on a boating, don’t forget your floatation device. As with any time on a boat, it is essential to don a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. These have been specially tested with rigorous safety measures. An unapproved flotation device may prove insufficient in saving one’s life. In the case of children, adults must ensure that life jackets are worn correctly. It should fit snugly to prevent slippage in the water. Failing to do so could transform a pleasurable fishing trip into a tragedy. Additionally, if you live in a colder region, read our full blog post about ice fishing dangers.
Lastly, wearing a hat is highly recommended. Hats offer both cooling shade in summer and warmth in winter. They also shield the eyes from the sun’s glare and protect the head from stray hooks during a wayward cast.
