In the US, drowning accounts for seven percent of unintentional injury-related deaths each year, making it the third leading cause for the same. Worldwide, drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths among children aged nine and under.
With an average of over four thousand unintentional drownings every year, there are about eleven drownings daily in the US. Though they may not seem significant, the statistics are concerning since drowning is preventable with the help of lifeguards, observation, and swimming classes. Another factor that makes drownings concerning is that they are not restricted to large water bodies like rivers and oceans. Drownings are also rampant in swimming pools and bathtubs. Children can experience drowning in buckets, dog bowls, inflatable pools, and through wet towels.
Drowning Spots in Nevada
Nevada experiences up to two deaths per 100,000 downing accidents every year. This includes those drowning victims who are rushed to the emergency and receive much-needed help.
Drownings in Nevada mostly occur at:
Lake Mead
Lake Mead has experienced up to 300 drownings since its creation in the early 1930s. Among these, 89 proved to be fatal. The high statistics can be traced to the lake’s various beaches adequate for swimming. But the fatal drownings in Lake Mead also make up a significant percentage of amateur boaters.
Lake Topaz
Lake Topaz is the most popular fishing and water sports spot in the state, making it another common place for drowning accidents. Lake Topaz has already claimed its first fatal drowning victim within the first month of the new year.
Lake Mahove
Lake Mahove in Nevada is another common spot for drowning accidents. It has claimed its first fatal drowning victim in the New Year too.
Private and Public Swimming Pools
Most children drowning in Nevada occur at private and residential swimming pools. Most of the time, parents and guardians are present at sight, failing to pick up signs of children drowning. The number of adults experiencing drowning and losing their life is small compared to children, but not uncondemning.
What Makes Drowning Injuries So Dangerous?
Besides drowning being one of the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide and in the US, drowning injuries have a low chance of recovery. Even those who survive drowning can suffer from severe and irreversible brain damage and damage to other organs. Lungs, kidneys, spleen, and liver are highly prone to failure from drowning injuries.
Most people, including parents and guardians, miss the obvious signs of drowning. A drowning individual can rarely signal for help. With water in their mouths and nose, they become quickly incapacitated to call for help verbally or through action. Drowning also occurs quickly. It only takes twenty to sixty seconds for a person to lose their life when drowning. The timing for permanent organ damage and failure can be even quicker.
What To Do To Minimize the Risk of Drowning in Nevada?
Intently supervising children near water bodies and avoiding lakes and beaches during high water levels are the best ways to minimize the risk of drownings in Nevada.
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