121 people died drowned in a month

France has recorded more than three drowning deaths per day since 1 June. One in six French people say they can not swim.
  

This summer period is particularly deadly. In France, 121 people died drowned between June 1 and July 5, warns the health agency Public Health France.

According to provisional results of the Noyades 2018 survey published Thursday, 552 bathing-related accidents were recorded during this 35-day period: 257 cases were of accidental origin, including 50 deaths, 34 cases were intentional (suicide, suicide attempt, badault) including 16 deaths, and 251 of undetermined origin, under investigation, including 55 deaths.

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Swimming at all ages is dangerous. Most accidents involving children are due to lack of supervision, a lack of safety equipment or a fall, notes the health agency.

"A child can drown noiselessly"

Children who bathe should not be overlooked and a specific adult should take responsibility for supervision. "A child can drown noiselessly, in less than three minutes, in twenty centimeters of water".

Other tips, equip the child with armbands and teach him how to swim as soon as possible: from 4-5 years, according to the abilities of the child, for all from 6 years. For adults, accidents occur mainly due to discomfort, imprudence or simply not knowing how to swim.

Among other recommendations, choose supervised bathing, respecting the safety instructions, do not overestimate the level of swimming.

1 in 6 people do not know how to swim

According to the Public Health 2016 Health Barometer, nearly one in six French people declare they can not swim: 5% among young people aged 15-24 but over 35% among 65-75 year olds.

It is especially the older age groups who are affected by drowning, says the health agency adding that you can learn to swim at any age.

The 2018 Noyades survey lasts until September 30th. It lists all drownings or near-drownings followed by hospital care or death.

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The proportion of accidental bathing incidents that is followed by a death increases with age: it is 9% for children under 6 and 37% for those 65 and over.

Of the 257 cases of accidental origin recorded between June 1 and July 5, 103 (40%) occurred at sea, 70 (27%) in all types of pool (family, private, public). .), 36 (14%) in waterways, 23 (9%) in water and 12 (5%) in other places (baths, ponds …). For 13 cases, the place was not reported.