According to an assessment published at the end of May by Public Health France. Similarly, 1,244 drownings, including more than a deadly quarter, occurred in France during the summer of 2024, whether at sea, in the pool, on water bodies or in the river.
In the under 6 years old. For example, many drownings take place in the pool
More than half (56%) of drowning concerns adults and occurred mainly at sea; 29% of these drownings relate to children under the age of 6 and took place mainly in a private pool; Finally, 15% of drownings concern 6-17 year olds.
If the figures are stable compared to 2023. For example, Public Health France reports a “worrying increase in drownings during hot episodes” Between mid-July and mid-August 2024, with 41% of the drowning more at the national level compared to the more than 60 drownings including same period of 2023.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, there were 63, including 17 deadly, between June 1 and September 30. Furthermore, With the Var (87 drownings including 16 deadly). Moreover, the Bouches-du-Rhône (80 drownings, including 10 deadly), our department is the one with the most drownings.
33 drownings. However, 4 deaths last summer on the beaches monitored by the SDIS
Finally, with regard to the beaches monitored by the departmental fire and rescue service – this concerns 11 municipalities in the department – during the summer of 2024, the firefighters intervened for 180 swimmers in difficulty: there were 33 noyades and 4 deaths.
This year. Furthermore, already four cases of drowning have been identified on the French Riviera coast in Cannes and Nice; A man died drowned in the Estéron river in the commune of Broc; And a young teenager was seriously injured after a dangerous dive in Nice.
How to avoid swimming accident?
What are drowning due to? In addition, According to Public Health France. For example, not knowing how to swim is a cause of drowning among others, it is often associated with a lack of surveillance of parents with regard to children.
In the elderly, the cause of drowning is often due to discomfort or accidents. For example, In young adults, drownings followed by death can sometimes be linked to festive events, with alcohol consumption.
Here are the prevention gestures put forward by help to avoid getting danger.
For adults. Similarly, where it is monitored and not after excesses
Before swimming, you must first prefer monitored places and ensure your level of practice, especially in relation to the environment: never overestimate your physical capacities, even if you are a good swimmer.
Also remember to warn a loved one before going to get into the water. Note more than 60 drownings including that it is forbidden to bathe in certain rivers and certain rivers, especially because of strong currents.
In the list of advice. there is also: avoid swimming after a generous meal and/or alcohol consumption; Going into the water gradually, wetting your neck, mouth, shoulders, upper body; Do not swim in case of chills or after excessive exposure in the sun.
For children. never alone
Regarding children, the golden rule “It is the constant surveillance of parents in and out of the water” Recall the SDIS firefighters. When they are in young age, put buoys, armbands or bras that are attached to the back. It is considered by help as the most effective device because it avoids the child to turn around.
In private pool – the majority of drowning accidents in under 6 years of age take place in these spaces – it is necessary to remove the scale of more than 60 drownings including the above -ground pools to prevent a child from rising. falls into the water, also remove all toys or others from the surface of the water so as not to attract children and have a pole and a buoy by the pool, to intervene quickly in the event of a problem.
Watch out for (bad) diving
Whatever the body of water (swimming pool, sea, lake, river, etc.), you must always check the water height available before diving or jumping. And do not jump when the environment does not lend itself to it.
In Nice. accidents too often arrive on the Coco Beach area: last March, a 14 -year -old was placed in intensive care after having hit the rocks during a 10 -meter diving attempt.
More than 60 drownings including
Here is what is happening in the body in case of drowning
Noyades can affect adults. more than 60 drownings including children. What are the mechanisms of drowning? And how to react to a victim? We take stock with the professor of emergency medicine Jacques Levraut.
What’s going on in the body at the time of drowning?
Before pure drowning, there can first be a exhaustion with the body which is refroached first. We can also have to swallow water, a lot of water. The stomach fills up and you can be vomited. Drown is when you inhale water. She goes through the trachea and enters the lungs instead of the air. Risk is then the death by respiratory distress or asphyxiation. There is a lack of oxygen and the heart stops.
Should we intervene in the face of a case of drowning?
The first help gestures consist in getting the person out of the water. making an assessment of the vital functions by asking the following questions: is the drownedness more than 60 drownings including aware? Does he breathe? At the same time, help must be called by composing 112.
What to do while waiting for help?
If the drowned person remains conscious but they have breathing difficulties, it must be seated, reheat and reassure them. If the drowned is unconscious but it breathes. it must be placed in the lateral security position (crossing the leg above and opening the mouth to clear the airways). The person must be monitored while waiting for help. Remove wet clothes and cover the person will reduce the risk of hypothermia. If the person no longer breathes, a heart massage is necessary.
