In 2013, 560 individuals lost their lives while boating, and 2,620 sustained non-fatal injuries. Forty-nine of those who died and 589 of those who were injured were youth between the ages of 0 and 19 years old. Since 1971, boating deaths have steadily decreased thanks to programs focusing on boater safety education, the use of personal flotation devices, and attention to risk factors like improper boating techniques and boating under the influence of alcohol. Sources and additional resources are listed at the bottom of the page.
Boating Safety
Boating Injuries by Age
In 2013, there were 2,620 boating injuries
Nearly 1 in 4 of all boating injuries occurred in people under the age of 20 (1)
|
Boating Injuries by Age (Where Age Is Known) |
|
|
Age |
Percentage of Boating Injuries |
|
0-12 |
7% |
|
13-19 |
17% |
|
20+ |
76% |
In 2013, there were 560 boating deaths
Nearly 1 in 10 of all boating deaths occurred in people under the age of 20 (2)
|
Boating Deaths by Age (Where Age Is Known) |
|
|
Age |
Percentage of Boating Deaths |
|
0-12 |
4% |
|
13-19 |
5% |
|
20+ |
91% |
(1) Out of the 2,486 injuries where age was known
(2) Out of the 553 deaths where age was known
Causes of Boating Deaths
Drowning was the most common cause of boating-related death (3)
|
Known Causes of Boating Deaths |
|
|
Cause of Death |
Percentage of Boating Deaths |
|
Drowning |
77% |
|
Trauma |
18% |
|
Other |
6% |
In 82% of the drowning deaths, the victim did not wear a life jacket (4)
|
Known Life Jacket Use in Drowning Deaths |
|
|
Life Jacket Use |
Percentage of Drowning Deaths |
|
Not Worn |
84% |
|
Worn |
16% |
(3) Out of the 515 deaths where cause of death was known
(4) Out of the 389 drowning deaths where life jacket use was known
Risk Factors
Alcohol use was the most common primary factor contributing to death
|
Top 3 Known Primary Contributing Factors in Death (Percentage of Boating Deaths Where Cause Is Known) |
|
|
Primary Contributing Factor of Death |
Percentage of Deaths |
|
Alcohol Use |
16% |
|
Operator Inattention |
12% |
|
Hazardous Waters |
11% |
Safety Tips
All passengers should wear life jackets. When adults wear life jackets, their children are more likely to wear them, even into adulthood
Do not bring infants on boats until they weigh enough to wear an appropriately-sized life jacket
Children are more likely to get hypothermia, so make sure to keep them warm
Enforce safe boating rules; teach your children not to run on the boat and to keep hands and feet inside the boat
Teens should only operate boats in supervised settings and in accordance with local and state laws
Never operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and never enter a boat where the operator is intoxicated
Always be vigilant about your surroundings, especially regarding other boaters, swimmers, and weather conditions
(Safe Kids Boating Safety Tips, 2014)
Sources
For detailed sources: http://childrenssafetynetwork.org/infographics/boating-safety
United States Coast Guard, Boating Safety Resource Center. (2014). 2013 Recreational Boating Statistics. Retrieved from: http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/2013RecBoatingStats.pdf
Safe Kids Worldwide. (2014). Boating Safety Tips. Retrieved from: http://www.safekids.org/tip/boating-safety-tips
Additional Resources
Safe Kids Worldwide. (2015). Swimming and Boating Safety Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/documents/skw_swimming_fact_sheet_feb_2015.pdf
United States Coast Guard, Boating Safety Resource Center. How to Choose the Right Life Jacket. Retrieved from: http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/Publications/howtochoosetherightlifejacket_brochure.pdf
BoatUS Foundation, Map of Life Jacket Loaner Programs. Retrieved from: http://www.boatus.org/life-jacket-loaner/usamap.asp.