United States (New York), 1988–94; Browne et al, 200340 | All unintentional drownings | n = 207 | Death within 6 hours; blood taken with 24 hours of death |
Persons ⩾15 years; water craft related (>90% recreational) | More than zero | 44% |
>0.05 | 33% | Available for 73 (35%) |
>0.10 | 25% |
United States (Louisiana), 1998; CDC, 200141 | All drownings | n = 34 | Alcohol (and/or drugs) present in autopsy sample |
Persons ⩾13 years; “boating related” (<10% occupational) | More than zero | 48% | Available for 27 (79%) |
United States (Maryland and North Carolina), 1990–98; Smith et al, 200128 | Recreational boating fatalities (nearly all drowned) occurring from April to October inclusive | n = 253 | Autopsy blood alcohol levels adjusted for time since death; bodies recovered within one week |
More than zero | 55% |
>0.05 | 36% | Available for 221 (87%) |
Persons ⩾18 years | >0.10 | 27% |
| >0.15 | 11% | |
United States (California), 1974–85; Wintemute et al, 198832 | All drownings | n = 43 | Death within 6 hours; blood taken with 24 hours of death |
Persons ⩾20 years; recreational boating, rafting | More than zero | 50% |
>0.05 | 35% | Available for 14 (33%) |
>0.10 | 28% |
Canada, 1999; Canadian Red Cross Society, 200033 | All drowning deaths | n = 116 | “Blood testing”—no more details |
Persons ⩾15 years; recreational boating | More than zero | 47% | Available for 76 (66%) |
>0.08 | 34% |
Australia (Geelong), 1959–83; Plueckhahn, 198436 | “Accidental” drownings | n = 62 | “Valid” blood alcohol levels in autopsy blood sample |
Persons ⩾15 years; “water transport accidents” | More than zero | 34% |
⩾0.08 | 17% | Available for 29 (47%) |
⩾0.15 | 3% |
United States (Maryland), 1968–72; Dietz and Baker, 197434 | “Accidental” drownings | n = ? | “Blood tests”; body submerged less than 12 hours |
Persons 15 years or older, “boating” | More than zero | 57% |
>0.10 | 43% | Available for 7 (unknown %) |
>0.15 | 43% |
United States, 2000; US Coast Guard, 200142 | “Recreational boating” fatalities (74% of persons drowned) | n = 701 | “Evidence or a reasonable likelihood that alcohol was consumed by a boat’s occupants” |
“Involved” | 31% |
“Cause” | 14% | Available for an unknown % of boating deaths |
Denmark, 1989–93; Steensberg, 199839 | All “accidental” drowning deaths | n = 94 | Information on alcohol involvement from the death certificate summary |
Persons ⩾15 years | “Under the influence” | 15% | Available for an unknown % of boating deaths |
Finland, 1986–88; Lunetta et al, 199843 | Fatal leisure boat “accidents” (94% of persons drowned) | n = 510 (340 deceased) | Blood alcohol values probably based on blood tests, but did not necessarily relate to the victim (apparently sometimes being from the operator of a boat from which a passenger was killed) |
⩾0.10 | Operators: 67% |
Persons ⩾15 years | | Passengers: 76% |
⩾0.15 | Operators: 59% |
| Passengers: 65% | Available for 450 (88%) |
United States (Ohio), 1983–86; Molberg et al, 199344 | “Recreational boating” fatalities (80% due to drowning) | n = 124 | Judgment about alcohol use by investigators—minimal toxicological testing |
“Mentioned” | 21% |
Age not specified | “Cause” | 7% | Available for an unknown % of boating deaths |
United States (North Carolina), 1980–84; Patetta and Biddinger, 198838 | Unintentional drownings | n = ? (total number not known) | Alcohol present in autopsy blood sample |
Persons ⩾15 years; “motorboating” | >0.10 | >20% | Available for an unknown % of boating deaths, but for 87% of all drownings |
Australia (Geelong), 1967–71; Plueckhahn, 197235 | “Accidental” drownings | n = ? (total number not known) | Alcohol present in autopsy blood sample |
Persons ⩾16 years; “boating” | More than zero | 67% | Available for 3 (unknown % of boating deaths, but available for 69% of all drownings) |
>0.08 | 67% |
>0.15 | 67% |