When we think of drowning incidents, we think about the ocean, but research has shown that more South Africans drown in swimming pools, old mine dumps and even bathtubs. According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), a study shows that the risk of unsupervised drowning affects infants aged 0-4 years from all race groups not whites only or people from disadvantaged communities.
An average of 1477 people drowned every year between 2016-2021 with a national drowning rate of 2,54 per 100 000. KwaZulu-Natal has had the highest drowning rate, Eastern Cape being the second, followed by Gauteng and Western Cape. Gauteng being part of the top 5 worst provinces with drowning incidents goes to prove that the drowning incidents don’t only happen in provinces which are close to the ocean.
The executive director of drowning prevention at NSRI, Dr Jill Fortuin, said the results show that unsupervised swimming was the key factor. She also said this should be a wake-up call for parents and c
