Risk of drowning is particularly influenced by lifestyle and habits

The Safety In­ves­ti­ga­tion Au­thor­ity, Fin­land has com­pleted an in­ves­ti­ga­tion on ac­ci­den­tal drown­ings in Fin­land in 2021. Ac­cord­ing to the in­ves­ti­ga­tion team’s de­f­i­n­i­tion, the to­tal num­ber of ac­ci­den­tal drown­ings dur­ing the 2021 mon­i­tor­ing pe­riod was 165.

The number of drownings has decreased in the past decades, but the number is still significant, and drownings have not decreased by as much as road deaths. Relative to the population, there are twice as many drownings in Finland than in Sweden and Norway.

“Based on the investigation findings, it can be stated that accidental drownings are more common among the elderly: half of those who drowned were over the age of 67. Intoxication played a role in more than 40% of the cases. Furthermore, cardiac diseases contributed to the number of accidental drownings. In terms of the cardiac diseases, we strive to determine whether the symptoms could have resulted in death also on dry land,” says Kai Valonen, Investigator-in-Charge.

In general, it seems that the risk of drowning is the result of one’s lifestyle and habits acquired over the years rather than a bad choice made in a particular situation.

The following instructions for the general public were prepared based on the investigation findings:

1. Live healthily
2. Recognise your own health issues and those of your next of kin, and take them into account in your actions
3. Make sure that a person capable of helping is nearby
4. Purchase a sturdy boat that has a CE marking
5. Make the lakeside area and your jetty safe
6. Get into the habit of wearing a life jacket from an early age
7. Do not go into or near water when intoxicated
8. Be aware of the thickness of the ice

The recommendations based on the investigation are targeted to parties influencing the safety of water traffic who are requested to check the scope and content of their work on the basis of the investigation findings. In addition, the priorities, division of labour, funding and continuity of the work of the parties influencing the safety of water traffic should be clarified, and it should be ensured that the big picture corresponds to the issues revealed by the investigation. The Safety Investigation Authority also repeats the recommendations given based on the previous themed investigation, which can still be used to support the development of safety.

Further information:

Mr. Kai Valonen, Investigator-in-Charge, tel. +358 29 51 50707 (until 26 June 2022)

Mr. Mika Hatakka, Expert, tel. +358 40 585 5141 (from 27 June to 25 July 2022)