Epidémiologie des noyades dans le Var

An epidemiological study was conducted to highlight characteristics of drowning in a district in southern France particularly exposed to this risk. This prospective study searched for epidemiological characteristics of drowning victims, and analyzed prevention procedures. Two different populations were identified: 0-5 year-old children who drowned in swimming pool and adults aged over 65, who were victims of sea drowning. Knowledge of these profiles enabled better focus of preventive procedures. Since January 2003, a new French law requires people to close access to swimming pools, or to implement normalized alert systems. Secondary prevention includes diffusion of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation techniques to a wide public possessing pools or witnessing a near-drowning accident.