Why are most drowning victims men? Sex differences in aquatic skills and behaviors.

Abstract

Men have higher drowning rates than women for most age groups. Data from a 1991 national household survey (n = 3042) on aquatic activities were used to examine hypotheses about differential drowning rates by sex. Men and women were compared by (1) exposure to aquatic environments; (2) frequency of aquatic activities involving or potentially involving, submersion; (3) swimming training and ability; (4) aquatic risk-taking behaviors; and (5) alcohol use on or near the water. Men had elevated risks for exposure, risk taking, and alcohol use. It was concluded that several factors contribute to their relatively high drowning rates, including a possible interaction between overestimation of abilities and heavy alcohol use.

Drowning in Alaska: progress and persistent problems

“…A 1988-1992 study, which used similar case definitions, found a rate of 20 per 100,000 (1). Drowning fatality rates were found to be much higher for males than for females, likely explained by earlier findings that males have a higher exposure to water environments and engage in riskier behaviours on the water (18).…”

“…Each of these can lead to submersion and death by drowning. However, if the victim is wearing a flotation device and does not become completely submerged, he/she may survive up to six hours before hypothermia is severe enough to become life-threatening (18). Data on water temperature and duration of immersion that would allow discrimination between cold shock, swimming failure and hypothermia are not routinely recorded (20), but such data might be pivotal in convincing marine travellers to wear flotation devices or survival gear.…”

“…Below age 10, rates for males were only slightly higher; the difference increases substantially for those aged 10 and above. It is possible that male children, especially between the ages of 10 and 17, have a higher exposure to water environments and engage in riskier behaviours than female children in this age group (18).…”

Analysis of Risk-Management Practices and Legal Issues in College Natatoriums in Taiwan

“…Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death among children under the age of 15 years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). A survey of aquatic skills and behaviors found that men not only have greater exposure to aquatic settings but also spend more time in higher risk aquatic activities during which submersion incidents might occur (Howland, Hingson, Mangione, Bell, & Bak, 1996), resulting in a drowning rate for men four times higher than that for women (Gilchrist, 2000).…”

Retrospective Analysis of Drowning Incidents at a University Hospital in Switzerland

“…We defined icy water as a water temperature below 10°C, as this is a life threatening temperature [14]. As the mean water temperature in the local river is below 10°C between December-April, we chose to define drowning in the open water in this time period as icy [15].…”