Launch of the 2018 NOYADES Survey, June 1–September 30, 2018
From June 1 to September 30, 2018, Santé publique France is launching the NOYADES 2018 survey with the support of the Ministries of Solidarity and Health, the Interior, Sports, and Ecological and Solidarity Transition. Its objective is to identify and describe all types of drowning incidents that occurred during the summer of 2018 in order to adapt prevention efforts.
Every year, accidental drownings account for numerous deaths among children, adults, and seniors alike. In France, it is the leading cause of accidental death among children under 15, ahead of suffocation, fire-related accidents, and falls.
During the previous survey conducted in 2015, 1,266 accidental drownings were recorded from June to September, including 436 deaths—nearly 4 deaths per day over the study period: 50% at sea, 24% in swimming pools, 22% in rivers or other bodies of water, and 3% in other locations.
Why this study?
The NOYADES survey aims to record all drownings or near-drownings followed by hospital care (visits to emergency departments or hospitalization) or death. It covers all drownings or near-drownings that occurred between June 1 and September 30, 2018, in France (metropolitan and overseas territories), whether accidental, suicidal, criminal, or of undetermined cause. The results of this survey make it possible to count the number of drowning victims in all locations, describe the characteristics of the victims and their outcomes, and provide information on the circumstances surrounding these drownings in order to adapt prevention efforts and further raise public awareness of the risks associated with swimming.
Who participates in this study?
This survey is conducted with the assistance of organized rescue services responding to drowning incidents, particularly the Departmental Fire and Rescue Services, the Paris Fire Brigade, the Marseille Marine Fire Brigade, the Interministerial Services for Defense and Civil Protection, as well as general and pediatric emergency departments and pediatric intensive care units in hospitals and clinics, the SAMU-SMUR, the National Society for Sea Rescue, the Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Centers, and other organizations.
An online or paper questionnaire must be completed by these responders for any drowning or near-drowning incident that required organized emergency response. All information and downloadable documents are available on the survey’s dedicated page.
Which age groups are most affected by drowning?
The Ministry of Solidarity and Health and Santé publique France are carrying out initiatives to prevent drownings and accidents related to swimming and water sports to teach children how to swim and to inform parents and children about the precautions to take when swimming and engaging in water activities safely. An unsupervised child can drown in just 20 cm of water within a few minutes.
Drowning also affects older adults. The 2016 Health Barometer from Santé publique France shows that just over one in seven French people report not knowing how to swim, and younger respondents were more likely to report knowing how to swim than their elders: 95% among 15- to 24-year-olds versus 65% among 65- to 75-year-olds. It is important to remember that learning to swim, a key factor in preventing drowning, can be done at any age.
The interim results of the NOYADES survey will be published this summer, and the final results summarizing the 2018 summer season will be included in a report early in 2019.
