Why are most drowning victims men? Sex differences in aquatic skills and behaviors.

TLDR

Men drown at higher rates than women across most age groups. Using a 1991 national household survey of 3,042 adults, the authors compared men and women on exposure to water, frequency of potentially submersive activities, swimming skill, risk‑taking behaviors, and alcohol use near water. Men exhibited higher exposure, risk‑taking, and alcohol use, suggesting that overestimation of abilities combined with heavy drinking contributes to their elevated drowning risk.

Abstract

Men have higher drowning rates than women for most age groups. Data from a 1991 national household survey (n = 3042) on aquatic activities were used to examine hypotheses about differential drowning rates by sex. Men and women were compared by (1) exposure to aquatic environments; (2) frequency of aquatic activities involving or potentially involving, submersion; (3) swimming training and ability; (4) aquatic risk-taking behaviors; and (5) alcohol use on or near the water. Men had elevated risks for exposure, risk taking, and alcohol use. It was concluded that several factors contribute to their relatively high drowning rates, including a possible interaction between overestimation of abilities and heavy alcohol use.