Glossary
Nonfatal drowning
A drowning that the person survives. Outcomes range from no injury to brain damage or lasting disability.
A nonfatal drowning is a drowning that the person survives. The CDC (opens in a new tab) says outcomes range from no injuries to very serious ones, such as brain damage or permanent disability. About 8,000 nonfatal drownings are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year, an average of 22 a day (2012-2021).
For young children, pools are a major source: about 5,900 children under 15 were treated in emergency rooms each year for pool or spa drowning injuries from 2023 to 2025, and 42% of them were admitted or transferred to another hospital (CPSC (opens in a new tab)).
After any scare in the water, Water Safety USA (opens in a new tab) says to get medical care for a cough that won't stop, any loss of consciousness, a need for rescue breaths or CPR, chest pain or shortness of breath, or confusion or unusual tiredness. Read after a scary moment in the water and dry and secondary drowning.
What you can do today: save the warning signs above in your phone so any caregiver can check them quickly.