Many people, and especially men, overestimate their strength and skills as swimmers. So experts urge people engaging in aquatic fun to wear life jackets.

Adult Drownings  of experts last year recommended better access to swimming lessons for pe The rate of drownings in the U.S. increased in nearly all adult age groups between 2020 and 2022, the latest year for which data exist, and nearly three-quarters of the people who drowned in that time period were adults, reports journalist Erica Westly. It is unclear what is causing this shift, a reversal of trends in the past two decades, but it could be related to people spending more time outdoors during the peak COVID pandemic years. Alcohol is often involved in adult drownings and boating fatalities (most of which are due to drowning). Drinking alcohol impairs breathing and muscle coordination. What the experts say: "Drowning prevention has been entirely too focused on the child, and that's a weird thing coming from a pediatrician. It's terrible to lose a child, but it can also be devastating for a child to lose a parent. It affects the whole family," says Lina Quan, a pediatric drawing expert.  What to do: Many people, and especially men, overestimate their strength and skills as swimmers. So experts urge people engaging in aquatic fun to wear life jackets. An interdisciplinary coalitionople of all age groups and particularly for groups with disproportionately high fatal drowning rates, such as Native American, Alaska Native and Black people.

Amanda Montañez; Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention