This danger is greater in bars near the water and parties on boats where alcohol is consumed. For example, Finland sees several drownings every year at Midsummer weekend as Finnish people spend more time in and around the lakes and beaches, often after having consumed alcohol. Lifejacket use: Children that cannot swim and other people at risk of drowning should wear a fastened and well-fitting lifejacket when near or in the water. Other flotation devices (inflatable inner tubes, water wings, foam tubes, etc.) may be useful, although they are usually considered toys. Other flotation instruments are considered safe, like the professional circle-shaped lifebuoy (hoop-buoy, ring-buoy, life-ring, life-donut, lifesaver, or life preserver), which is mainly designed to be thrown, and some other professional variants that are used by lifeguards in their rescues. Depth awareness: Diving accidents in pools can cause serious injury. Up to 21% of shallow-water diving accidents can cause spinal injury, occasionally leading to death. Between 1.2% and 22% of all spinal injuries are from diving accidents. If the person does not die, the injury could cause permanent paralysis. Avoid dangerous waters: Avoid swimming in waters that are too turbulent, where waves are large, with dangerous animals, or are too cold. Also avoid dragging currents, which are currents that are turbulent, foamy, and that can drag people or debris. If caught by one of these currents, swim out from it (it is possible to move out gradually, in a diagonal direction until you arrive at the shore).
The optimal age to start the lessons is childhood, between one and four years of age. Feeling overly tired reduces swimming performance. This exhaustion can be rapidly aggravated by anxious movements motivated by fear during or in anticipation of drowning. An overconfident appraisal of ones own physical capabilities can lead to "swimming out too far" and exhaustion before returning to solid footing. Free access to water can be hazardous, especially to young children. Barriers can prevent young children from gaining access to the water. Ineffective supervision. Drowning can occur anywhere there is water, even in the presence of lifeguards. Risk can vary with location depending on age. Children between one and four more commonly drown in home swimming pools than elsewhere. Drownings in natural water settings increase with age. More than half of drownings occur among those fifteen years and older and occurred in natural water environments. Familial or genetic history of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD) can predispose children to drown. Extensive genetic testing and/or consultation with a cardiologist should be done especially when there is a high suspicion of familial history and/or clinical evidence of sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. Individuals with undetected primary cardiac arrhythmias, as cold water immersion or aquatic exercise can induce these arrhythmias to occur.Population groups at risk in the US are generally the old and young. Youth: drowning rates are highest for children under five years of age and people fifteen to twenty-four years of age.