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Fatal and Nonfatal Drowning Statistics

The Southern Nevada Health District Drowning Registry tracks the number of children in Clark County, ages 0-14 years old, who experience a submersion incident that results in the activation of the 911 system.

Please note: this registry does not capture all pediatric submersion incidents in Clark County. The purpose of this registry is to provide a real-time estimate of pediatric submersions and to gather additional information about the risk factors of pediatric submersion incidents. Fatal drownings are reported in the table below after being confirmed through a death certificate review.

Submersion is a term used globally to describe both fatal and nonfatal drownings. A nonfatal drowning is defined as resulting in no impairment, some impairment, or significant impairment. Studies conducted in Australia, Great Britain, the United States, and Thailand show that between 5% and 35% of hospitalized nonfatal drowning victims suffer severe, permanent neurologic disability.

2019 – 2023

Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Total Number of Submersion Incidents Reported to Registry 39 26 35 45 46
% among 0-4 Year Olds 69% 88% 80% 84% 78%
Number of Submersions in Pools Only 35 21 32 31 34
% in Public Pools 46% 43% 41% 23% 32%
% in Residential Pools 54% 57% 59% 77% 68%
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-14 year olds 9 5 6 10 6
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-4 year olds 5 5 5 8 < 5*
This table was updated on March 20, 2024

2016 – 2018

Year 2016 2017 2018
Total Number of Submersion Incidents Reported to Registry 50 64 51
% among 0-4 Year Olds 88% 76% 88%
Number of Submersions in Pools Only 39 53 40
% in Public Pools 28% 43% 40%
% in Residential Pools 72% 57% 60%
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-14 year olds 9 10 6
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-4 year olds 6 8 5
This table was updated on April 23, 2020

2012 – 2015

Year 2012 2013 2014 2015
Total Number of Submersion Incidents Reported to Registry 54 41 34 44
% among 0-4 Year Olds 76% 83% 85% 73%
Number of Submersions in Pools Only 45 35 27 41
% in Public Pools 31% 40% 26% 34%
% in Residential Pools 69% 60% 74% 66%
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-14 year olds 7 4 2 9
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-4 year olds 5 3 1 8

2006 – 2011

Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Total Number of Submersion Incidents Reported to Registry 40 56 54 59 41 37
% among 0-4 Year Olds 80% 80% 80% 95% 73% 89%
Number of Submersions in Pools Only 31 51 50 50 38 33
% in Public Pools 39% 27% 34% 26% 34% 31%
% in Residential Pools 61% 73% 66% 74% 66% 69%
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-14 year olds 7 10 10 10 8 5
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-4 year olds 5 10 10 9 7 4

2000 – 2005

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Total Number of Submersion Incidents Reported to Registry 50 67 56 43 40 49
% among 0-4 Year Olds 82% 78% 88% 81% 78% 84%
Number of Submersions in Pools Only 42 61 43 37 29 48
% in Public Pools 57% 38% 44% 32% 41% 33%
% in Residential Pools 43% 62% 56% 68% 59% 67%
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-14 year olds 6 8 6 10 4 6
Number of Fatal Drownings 0-4 5 3 6 7 3 6

1994 – 1999

Year 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Total Number of Submersion Incidents 59 47 50 53 54 62
% among 0-4 Year Olds 83% 85% 80% 72% 76% 82%
Number of Submersions in Pools Only 46 40 43 47 47 54
% in Public Pools 28% 43% 47% 36% 35% 44%
% in Residential Pools 72% 57% 53% 64% 65% 56%
Number of Fatal Drownings among 0-14 year olds 14 6 10 6 14 10
Number of Fatal Drownings 0-4 11 5 8 5 11 9

Contact Information

Phone:
(702) 759-1000

 

Updated on:  March 20, 2024

2024-03-20T11:30:22-07:00
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