During the summer of 2003 a study was performed on drowning in France. These figures are based on the rescue interventions followed by hospitalisation or fatality.

In total 781 rescue interventions were registered:

• 44% in the sea of which 56% was older than 45 years of age
• 25% in swimming pool of which 61% occured in private swimming pools
• 15% in lakes of which 25% between the age of 25 and 44
• 12% in rivers of which 28% between the age of 25 and 44

Of the 781 drownings 41% was fatal.

Source : Bernard Vandeputte, Revue de la FFSS n°29.