Drowning Facts  • Back to Main Page Over 500 Canadians drowned in 1999. Ontario had the lowest rate and Nunavut/ N.W.T/ Yukon had the highest. Drowning is ranked as the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for Canadians aged 0-24 and ranked third for those age 25-44. 2/3 of drowning victims never intended to go into the water. Alcohol is associated with at least one third of all drownings. Non-swimmers and weak swimmers account for more then half of the total drownings in ages 5 and over. 60% of those 14 and under were alone or with a minor when they drowned. For every child 1-4 years who dies from drowning, there are an estimated 6 to 10 additional near- drownings, which require hospitalization. A small child can drown in only a few inches of water. Enough water to cover their nose and mouth. Boys are the most frequent victims of drownings (82%) Most drownings can be prevented. They are not "accidents". References: Safe Boating Guide, 2000 Drowning Report, 2001 LSS-Life Saving Manual, 1994 Canada Safety Council, April 2002 To the top