Watch out for rip current

29May12

As the weather warms up to usher in what could be a long, hot summer here in North America, people begin to flock to the beaches for a respite from the punishing heat and humidity. In this time of year, drownings are not uncommon.

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 14,  and the fifth leading cause for all ages, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About half of all drownings occur in natural water settings, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. In 2007, at least 43% of all recreational water drownings in the U.S. happened in natural waters, more than twice the 19% rate of occurrence in swimming pools. Boating incidents accounted for 9%.

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For a detailed look at this graphic, click here to view a PDF.

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In Canada, about 500 people die every year from drowning, 69% of them occurring in natural waters. Swimming is the activity during which the largest number of  drownings occur.

Graphic by Alfred Elicierto. Published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 9, 2003.

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Also in this blog:
Why cities are spreading to the countryside
Remembering Katrina of 2005
Tragic end to a bombing raid
Treating gunshot wounds
Crime news infographics as old as crime

Filed under: information graphics   |  3 Comments
Tags: drowning, drowning risks, graphic, information graphics, rip current, rip tide, undertow, visual storyteller, visual storyteller's blog