The most common places that adults drown are rivers, lakes, or the ocean.
In adults, the risk of drowning increases with:
- Panicking when swimming
- Alcohol or drug use before or while in the water
- Head trauma, such as from diving into shallow water
- Dangerous situations, like swimming far from shore or in rough water
Medical emergencies while in water can increase the risk of drowning.
Examples include:
- Seizures
- Heart emergencies, such as heart attack
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar which can cause confusion or loss of consciousness)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature from cold water)