After Spike In Drownings, King County Shares Water Safety Tips

KING COUNTY, WA — As thousands head out to beaches, rivers and lakes to seek relief from a potentially historic heat wave, King County public health officials are encouraging residents to take a moment to brush up on water safety to avoid a potential tragedy.

Public Health - Seattle & King County noted Thursday that drownings doubled in 2020, as the pandemic pushed more people toward outdoor recreation. Of the 33 people who died last year, officials said nearly 70 percent were related to open water incidents. For children and teens, drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury death.

"Drowning is a 100% preventable tragedy," said Tony Gomez, the department's violence and injury prevention manager. "Learn to swim, swim where there are lifeguards, wear a lifejacket, obey safety signs, follow boating rules, and intentionally plan for water safety to safely cool off, get some exercise, and have fun this summer!"

Officials note that even seasoned swimmers can run into distress quickly and said sticking to lifeguarded areas helps ensure help is nearby if something happens. When rafting, boating, tubing or swimming outside of guarded beaches, officials recommend wearing a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket. Nearly two dozen of last year's drownings happened in open water, where a lifejacket could have saved them, officials said.

Another major area of concern is the using alcohol or drugs during outings on the water. Public Health - Seattle & King County said more than half of the drowning deaths in 2020 involved alcohol or drugs — a stunning 167 percent increase from the four years prior.

"These substances can affect balance, coordination and judgment, and exposure to sun and heat and being on a boat can worsen these effects," officials said. "Designate a sober water-safety supervisor to keep a watchful eye on kids near water. This means close touch distance to get them quickly if something happens."

Rivers present unique risks for all, running much cooler than other waterways and flowing very fast. Other hazards like rocks and logs add to the danger. Nine of the people who drowned last year were on King County rivers, and officials worry that number could grow this summer due to an unusual mix of seasonal conditions.

"While Washington formed a health snowpack after the snowiest winter in 20 years, the recent heat wave has our above-average snowpack melting at record pace," officials wrote. "As snow rapidly melts, rivers surge and the risk of drowning posed by raging water spikes. Avoiding dangerously swollen rivers is safest, but if river recreation is your only outdoor option, always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and go with licensed river guides if possible."

Residents can learn more about lifejackets, boater safety, river safety and swimmer safety on the public health website, along with a complete list of guarded pools and beaches around the region.