According to Magen David Adom, there were R”L 72 fatal drownings in Israel during the 2018 swimming season, which operates from March 17, 2018 to October 8, 2018. A total of 257 people were pulled from the water, and B’chasdei Hashem, in most cases, the drownings were not fatal. Six persons were in critical condition, requiring CPR, and 19 were listed in serious condition, and 154 in moderate and light condition.

The number of fatalities however represents a sharp increase if one compares it to 2017, during which there were a total of 39 drownings.

Of the drowning incidents, 9 occurred on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, 9 on the shores of the Dead Sea, 7 on the shores of the Kinneret, 6 on the beaches of Eilat, 37 in public pools, 24 in private pools, 4 in the Jordan River, 2 in the Yarkon River, 2 in Sachnah, 1 in Jordan and 1 in Nachal Prat.

This year, there was an increase in the number of cases in which Magen David Adom teams were required to provide medical treatment to people who drowned and escaped from the water. Last year, 234 people were treated, including 39 who suffered fatal drowning.

Additional data:
• About 70% of those who received medical treatment were men, compared with 30% women

Age Group:
• Approximately 24% were 10 and under
• About 25% were the 11-20 age group – the most prone age group
• About 18% were 21-30
• About 9% were 31-40
• About 7.5% were 41-50
• About 7% were 51-60
• About 5.5% were 61-70
• About 2% were 71-80
• About 2% were 81 and up

Of the 62 children aged 1-10 who drowned:
• 22 drowned in a public pool, of which 2 were fatal
• 23 drowned in a private pool, of which 10 were fatal
• 14 drowned in the beaches, where a girl of about 4 drowned in the Kinneret
• A toddler about two years old drowned in the Yarkon

Of the 64 boys aged 11-20 who drowned:
• 42 drowned on the beaches, of which 7 were fatal
• 7 drowned in public pools, none in a private pool
• 2 drowned in the Jordan River including a fatal case involving a 14-year-old boy

The youngest drowning victim:
• A toddler about six months old who drowned to death in a private pool

The oldest drowning victim:
• An 88-year-old who suffered a fatal drowning in the Dead Sea

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)