Focus on deaths by drowning in Greece

Swimming is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise, as it improves cardiorespiratory functioning, protects the joints, helps to reduce anxiety and improves the quality of sleep. However, drowning can happen quickly, often within only 20 to 60 seconds. For this reason, information, prevention and the observance of basic safety rules are prerequisites for our safe enjoyment of the benefits of swimming.

The prevention of drownings is a basic priority of the Greek Public Health Organisation (EODY)’s Directorate for the Epidemiological Monitoring and Prevention of Non-infectious Diseases. Drowning is the third most frequent cause of accidental death worldwide, representing 7% of all non sickness-related deaths.

A hat and a beach bag lie on the table of a beach cafe, with palm-leaf umbrellas on the beach, and swimmers and a speedboat floating in the sea beyond.
Swimming is one of the healthiest forms of exercise, but needs to be done with care. Over the past five years in Greece, an average of 378 people annually have lost their lives by drowning, mostly in the sea.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 300,000 people lose their lives from drowning each year, with children and young people being disproportionately affected. Young children under the age of 5 represent almost a quarter of all deaths by drowning. They also have the highest mortality rate from drowning (10.9 deaths per 100,000 population), followed by adults of 70 years and over (7.7 deaths per 100,000 population).

In Greece the frequency of drownings is estimated at 3.6 per 100,000 population, according to the WHO’s first report on the global state of drowning prevention, in which the EODY participated. Over the past five years, an average of 378 fatal accidents in the aquatic environment (sea and inland waters) have been recorded annually in Greece, with the overwhelming majority (99% or 373 in number) taking place in the sea. Males represent 67% of the victims, while the age group most afflicted, representing 81% of victims, are individuals over 60 years of age, demonstrating the need for prevention activities targeted at the third age.

Chief causes of drowning
– not knowing how to swim
– lack of close and continuous supervision of children
– lack of fencing round swimming pools
– consumption of alcohol
– failure to follow medical advice when there are underlying medical conditions which increase the risk of drowning (e.g. heart conditions, dementia, epilepsy or other neurological diseases)
– not knowing/ignoring the weather forecast
– failure to make correct use of life jackets and protective equipment in aquatic activities.

Recommendations of the EODY
– always swim in company
– enter and exit the water in stages
– always swim parallel with the beach
– don’t swim after eating or drinking
– don’t swim in unknown waters
– keep a constant eye on small children
– consult your doctor and take additional precautions according to his advice
– don’t overestimate your capabilities.
(Haniotika Nea, 27/06/26, ERTNews)