The General Nursing Council faced with the high number of drownings (222 deaths) so far this year in rivers, swamps, pools or beaches He has asked not to lower his guard and follow the recommendations of the professionals because “most of the times these fatal incidents can be avoided”, according to a note sent by this professional body chaired by Florentino Pérez Raya.
Drownings in areas of water are the third leading cause of unintentional trauma death in the world and accounts for 75% of all deaths related to injuries. Globally 236,000 people die by this type of accident, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2021, 510 people drowned in Spain, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), of which 419 were men and 91 women.
Among those of legal age, between 80-84 years old, the highest rate of drowning occurs in our country (2.9) per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by those between 75 and 79 years old (2.62); between 70-74 years (1.75) followed by the groups between 20 and 24 years (1.75), according to data from the Ministry of Health.
Health has identified several factors influencing drowning such as the adoption of risky behaviors, moments of relaxation with minors, bathing in unsupervised areas, the consumption of alcohol and other drugs near or in the water, medical conditions such as epilepsy and tourists unfamiliar with the particularities of the local waters.