Profile of pediatric drowning victims in a water-oriented society.

Drowning accounts for 32% of all pediatric accidental deaths in Dade County, Florida. Swimming pools, primarily home pools, are the most common site, 38%; followed by canals, 27%; lakes, ponds and rockpits, 13%; and the ocean and bay, 11%. The majority of drowning victims could not swim and were dead at the scene of the accident. Most pool victims were white, male, and 3 years old. Most victims were thought to be engaged in a non-pool related activity before the accident. Children who drowned in lakes, ponds, and rockpits, canals, and the ocean and bay were usually of school age and unsupervised. Black children had a higher rate of drowning than white children in these sites. Recommendations to prevent drowning: 1) Community education programs; 2) Safety fence around the perimeter of swimming pool; 3) Higher water levels in pools; 4) Investigation of "drown-proofing" instructions for preschool children; 5) Mandatory swimming and water safety instructions in public schools; 6) More supervised public swimming sites.