Great news, everyone! The U.S. Drowning Stats for November 2021 are the best that have been reported so far. This month’s encouraging statistics continue the great news we saw from October 2021’s promising news.
That said, there is still much to do. Keep reading to learn more about this month’s drowning numbers.
U.S. Drowning Stats for November 2021
As our regular readers know, we like to start each month with a look at some hard figures. Thanks to the fine folks at Total Aquatic Programming, we have access to consistently updated drowning statistics and data maps for the entire country.
Depending on the time of year and location, the reasons for these drowning incidents often vary. With this in mind, having readily available data can help water safety experts to gauge trends and areas of concern.
The drowning stats offer a sort of sky-high view of the overall trends. Most importantly, they can shine a light on overlooked pitfalls and areas where additional water safety education would be helpful.
Besides location and age, there are many factors that go into these statistics. Today, we will compare last month’s data with data from each November month from the past 12 years.
Using this info, Total Aquatic Programming’s data tracks more than 15 separate items from every drowning that occurs throughout the country.
These items include, but are not limited to:
- date
- state
- city
- county
- age and gender of the victim
- ethnicity, if recorded
- body of water in which the drowning occurred
- and several other circumstances that can help to provide some guidance in the prevention of future drownings.
Chart: Drowning Statistics for November 2009-2021
As you have likely surmised, the drowning stats for November are quite promising. Of course, there were still 46 incidents, so it is not a total victory. There is always room for improvement.
You see, these monthly check-ins on drowning incidents began back in 2009. To accurately account for the time of year, they compare each individual month to that same month in prior years.
The statistics clearly show a marked improvement for November 2021 as compared to previous years. There were less incidents recorded in every single category. For teens and children aged 12 and under, the numbers were remarkably close to zero. So close, and yet so far.
During the colder months, a lot less people are in swimming pools. To this end, boating and fishing can be a potential hazard. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, more than 75 percent of boating fatalities are due to drowning. Of the drowning cases, more than 90 percent of the victims were not wearing life jackets.
Keeping this in mind, we recommend that everyone familiarize themselves with boating safety procedures. Always make sure to follow proper protocol. Check the weather, wear a life preserver and don’t swim in choppy water. For more information, check out our dedicated blog post about boating safety.
The drowning stats for November 2021 are quite encouraging, but it takes perseverance and education to help stamp out drowning incidents. Proper technique and understanding of safety procedures are crucial for anyone setting foot in the water.
Understanding The Numbers: Drowning Maps for 2019/2020
Along with November 2021 drowning stats, Total Aquatic Programming has provided us with two additional graphics. The first is a nationwide drowning map for all of 2021. This map identifies “hot spots” of child drowning incidents on a state-by-state basis. Please take a look at the map below. It has been updated to include all drownings that have occurred since July 2008.
Up next, we have the detailed map for 2021. As you can see, this offers a closer look at child drownings. For this map, please note that the numbers listed on each state represent the ages of the children involved in these incidents, not the number of children. Across the map, each age represents one child. For example, a 12-year-old would be listed on the map as “12.”
The Source of These Drowning Statistics
All of these U.S. Drowning Stats and graphics are brought to us courtesy of Sue and Mick Nelson of Total Aquatic Programming, LLC. USA Swimming, the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States, also uses this information. If you are interested in learning more about the people behind this data, watch our full Child Safety Source interview with Mick Nelson. Additionally, you can visit Total Aquatic Programming’s official website to see even more in-depth information about drowning danger and statistics.
