The Portugese Lifesaving Federation (FEPONS) has published the National Drowning Report for the first half of 2019, which indicates a total of 43 deaths, down 18.9% as the same period in 2018.
Taking advantage of this attention call for drowning and taking into account, according to data from FEPONS Drowning Observatory, that in the 3rd quarter of 2018 the main cause of drowning death was due to bathing, mainly inland, FEPONS launched the “SOS Afogamento” digital prevention campaign for 3rd quarter of 2019.
This campaign, which quarterly disseminates statistically-based safety advices from FEPONS Drowning Observatory, launched for this quarter the “Use Guarded Aquatic Areas” council.
Generally speaking, the first half report of 2019 presents the following drowning death data:
- 76.7% were men;
- 58.1% are over 40 years old;
- 51.2% occurred in the afternoon;
- 32.6% occurred in Rivers / 25.6% in Sea / 23.3% in Well;
- 0% occurred in guarded areas;
- The most common cause was water fall;
- Only in 9.4% of the occurrences a rescue attempte take place;
- Faro and Lisbon districts with more registrations (14%);
- 30.2% in June.
All report data can be obtained from: http://observatoriodoafogamento.blogspot.com
The campaign is supported by:
- International Lifesaving Federation – Europe;
- Federación Latinoamericana de Salvamento y Socorrismo;
- Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos;
- Vodafone Portugal Foundation;
- VJR.
