Why Boys and Men Drown More Often

Boys and men drown far more often than girls and women. In the United States, nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male. Research points to three main reasons: males spend more time in and on the water, take more risks there, and drink more around water. Swimming skill is not the explanation, since men are more likely than women to say they can swim.

This page is about patterns, not blame. Plenty of men are careful around water. The aim is to show which habits add risk, so anyone can change them.

What the data show

Nearly 80%

The gap shows up in every year CDC has looked at recently. In 2022, males drowned at 2.0 per 100,000 people and females at 0.6 (opens in a new tab), more than three times the female rate. At U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and rivers in 2024, 94% of the people who drowned were male (opens in a new tab), and 91% weren't wearing a life jacket.

Where it happens differs by sex, too. A CDC National Center for Health Statistics review of 1999 to 2010 deaths found that for males, drowning was most likely to occur in natural water (opens in a new tab), while for females it happened about equally in natural water, bathtubs and pools.

And here's the surprising part. In CDC's 2023 survey, 11.2% of men said they don't know how to swim, compared with 19.4% of women (opens in a new tab), and 41.6% of men (versus 30.4% of women) said they can swim multiple strokes efficiently. Men report more skill and still drown at three times the rate.

Risk-taking, alcohol and overconfidence

CDC's explanation is short: many factors might contribute to higher rates of drowning among males, including increased exposure to water, risk-taking behaviors and alcohol use (opens in a new tab).

Research backs that up:

• A national survey study. Researchers who compared 3,042 men and women found that men had elevated risks for exposure, risk taking and alcohol use (opens in a new tab) on or near the water. They concluded that several factors contribute, including a possible interaction between overestimating one's abilities and heavy drinking (Howland and colleagues, American Journal of Public Health, 1996).
• A newer review. A 2021 review of drowning research in five high-income countries summarized studies showing that males have increased participation in aquatic activities, are more confident in their swimming skills, and are more likely to swim alone (opens in a new tab) and to drink around water. It also notes that these factors alone don't fully explain the gap, and exposure likely plays a role.
• Alcohol. Among teens and adults, CDC says alcohol is involved in up to 70% of deaths linked to water recreation (opens in a new tab), because it impairs balance, coordination and judgment and increases risk-taking.

Pool skills don't fully carry over to cold or rough water. The National Center for Cold Water Safety warns that while gasping from cold shock, swimming as short a distance as 6 to 10 feet is often impossible, even for good swimmers (opens in a new tab).

These patterns can start young. The AAP says teens are more likely to overestimate their skills and underestimate dangerous situations (opens in a new tab). See water safety for teens.

Boats, fishing and work on the water

Exposure means time in, on and near the water, including boating, fishing and some kinds of work.

Recreational boating. The U.S. Coast Guard counted 556 recreational boating deaths in 2024 (opens in a new tab). In the same report:

• 76% of victims drowned, where the cause was known.
• 87% of those who drowned weren't wearing a life jacket, where use was known.
• 4 of every 5 boaters who drowned were on boats shorter than 21 feet.
• Paddlecraft (canoes, kayaks and paddleboards) accounted for 26% of deaths.
• Alcohol was the leading known contributing factor, in 20% of deaths.
• 69% of deaths happened on boats whose operator had no boating safety instruction, where instruction was known.

Fishing. Fishing often means hours on small boats, docks or riverbanks. Our fishing safety guide covers shorelines, wading and boats.

Work. CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) calls commercial fishing one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States (opens in a new tab), with a fatality rate over 40 times the national average in 2019, and names falls overboard among the greatest dangers. Its first recommendation for fishermen is simple: wear a PFD on deck (opens in a new tab).

What helps

None of these steps is hard. They just have to become habits.

1. Wear the life jacket, every time. CDC says life jackets reduce the risk of drowning while boating for people of all ages and swimming abilities (opens in a new tab). The Red Cross says to wear one while boating regardless of swimming skill (opens in a new tab), and when fishing, even if you don't intend to go in. Find one you'll actually wear in how to choose a life jacket.
2. Keep alcohol off the water. CDC says to avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating or other water activities (opens in a new tab). If you're the boat operator, you're the designated driver. See alcohol and swimming.
3. Never swim alone. The Red Cross says to never swim alone, and swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present (opens in a new tab).
4. Know your real limits. Check yourself against the Red Cross's five water competency skills, in a pool, before you trust them in a lake.
5. Don't go in after someone. Reach or throw something that floats and call 911. Read reach or throw, don't go.
6. Take a boating course. In 2024, 69% of boating deaths happened on boats whose operator had no safety instruction, where that was known. New Yorkers can start with boating safety courses in New York.

What you can do today

• Put a life jacket that fits you in the car, boat or fishing bag.
• Make "no alcohol on the water" the rule for your next trip, out loud, before you leave.
• Check your five skills at a lifeguarded pool.
• Sign up for a boating safety course if you run a boat, canoe or kayak.
• Talk with the boys and young men in your life, and let them see you wear your life jacket.

For more on adult risk in general, see water safety for adults.