Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working Group

Each year, about 4,000 people die from drowning in the United States. Drowning was a leading cause of unintentional injury death among all ages in 1998, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1-14 that same year. Approximately 50-75% of drownings occur in open water such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and ponds. About 60% of drowning deaths among children occur in swimming pools.

This report, published in October 2001 by CDC’s Injury Center, assesses lifeguards as a strategy for preventing drowning and water-related injuries. The product of an expert meeting and a review of data from the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) and other sources, the report will help communities, local government officials, and owners of private water recreational areas make informed decisions about whether to begin, retain, or discontinue lifeguarding services.