A survey on the drownings of Mazandaran province in 2007

Annually a large number of people die of drowning and its complications around the world. In Iran drowning more occurs in summer. Tourist attractions in Mazandaran and long coast of The Caspian Sea in the province attracts more passengers yearly which danger of drowning are threatened many of them. Data were collected from 171 of drowning victims in 2007 which had completed in a pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS11.5. This study shows that 86% of the dead were male and 73.1% were single. 82.5% of the drowned were -30 years old which the most age ranges were men of 15-24 years old. 87.7% of drownings were at sea and 9.4% in rivers. 74.8% of them happened in summer and the most time of happening (56.8%) was between 12 and 18pm. 79.5% of the drowned were not familiar with swimming and 93% of them died at drowning place. 67.3% of the drowned resided in other provinces. Among those who drowned at sea, 94.7% of their drowning place was out of conservation areas and 50% were drowned at stormy sea. This study showed that the problem of Mazandaran drowning is a beyond the state topic. For reduction of drowning these items are offered: 1) notifying of young men and youngsters from dangers and causes of drowning 2) swimming training courses to young men 3) Inform people of the danger of swimming at conservation areas and extension of these areas 4) reinforcing of relief organizations