Objective:

Drownings represent one of the main external causes of mortality worldwide. Our objective was to determine the characteristics of the process of drowning and its connection to the safety conditions of collective use swimming pools.

Method:

A descriptive observational study using data from judicial sources was conducted with setting in Spanish population during the period of 2000-2015. Socio-demographic data, types of facilities, previous activity held by the victim, risk factors and the main cause of the injurious event were investigated.

Results:

A total of 56 drowning in swimming pools, of which 49 died, were recorded. There were 76.8% males, 71.4% underage and children 5-10 years were the most vulnerable group (32.4%). 37.5% of victims didn’t know how to swim and 60.7% were not alone. Critical events were commonly found in municipal swimming pools (46.4%). Among the most frequently causes of drowning were included: faults in lifeguards’ vigilance (19.64%), poor adult supervision for children (17.86%) and the reckless behavior of the victim (14.29%). There were identified risk factors related to deficiencies or absence of passive measures: pool fencing (7.1%), equipment of aquatic rescue (7.1%), visibility of bathing area (3.6%) and unprotected water drain suction (1.8%).

Conclusions:

The drownings remain an important cause of death in swimming pools for public use. To reduce drowning rates and to avoid a downgrading of safety standards that have a negative effect on preventive aims, the swimming pools code must be rigorously complied as well as to design specific intervention strategies.