Alcohol as a risk factor for drownings: A review of the literature (1950–1985)∗

doi:10.1016/0001-4575(88)90011-5

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Volume 20, Issue 1, February 1988, Pages 19-25

https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-4575(88)90011-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

We identified 36 English language studies (1950–1985) on alcohol and drownings. The majority of these were descriptive, reporting on the percent of drowning victims positive for alcohol upon autopsy. Most studies fell into one of three categories: Type A—complete ascertainment, duration of submergence specified; Type B—complete ascertainment, duration of submergence unspecified; Type C—partial ascertainment. Among Type A studies, percent of positives for alcohol ranged from 29% to 47%. Among Type B studies, percents ranged from 15% to 69%. Among Type C studies, percents ranged from 18% to 86%. We conclude that (1) between 25% and 50% of adult drowning victims have been exposed to alcohol and that (2) without data on the frequency of alcohol consumption among non-victims engaged in aquatic activities, the causal role of alcohol in drownings is uncertain. Suggestions for further research are offered.

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Alcohol as a risk factor for drownings: A review of the literature (1950–1985)∗☆

Abstract

Accid. Anal. & Prev.

J. Chron. Dis.

Alcohol, casualties and crime

Alcohol and violent death, Erie County, New York, 1973–1983

MMWR

The descriptive epidemiology of drowning accidents

Med. J. Aust.

Alcohol prolongs time course of glare recovery

Nature

The role of alcohol in fatal accidents among seamen

Br. J. Addict.

Injury Fact Book

A survey of blood alcohol testing in Victoria (1951–1956)

Med. J. Aust.

Report of the working party on water safety

Deaths from drowning

NZ Med. J.

A review of 98 cases of near-drowning at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados

W. I. Med. J.

Alcohol and drowning in Cape Town

SA Med. J.

Drownings of children and youth in a desert state

Western J. of Med.

Alcohol and non-motor vehicular injuries

Publ. Hlth. Rep.

Drowning edidemiology and prevention

Am. J. Publ. Hlth.

Alcohol, accidents and crime

Curr. Med. Dig.

Drowning while under the influence of alcohol

Medicine Sci. Law

Drowning and alcohol

Med. J. Aust.

Alcoholism and mortality in Otago

New Zealand Med J.

Alcohol, Other Drugs and Violent Deaths