12/23 - Annegamento e pericoli della balneazione.A cura di Enzo Funari, Marco Giustini e Dario Giorgio Pezzini2012, 81 p.

Drownings and risks of bathing.
Edited by Enzo Funari, Marco Giustini and Dario Giorgio Pezzini
2012, 81 p. (in Italian)

Drowning strike about 400 people per year in Italy. Data show a strong decrease in mortality since the early 70s, however, it seems to have reached a threshold in the last 10 years. It therefore appears that what has yielded important results in drowning prevention (greater awareness of risks, ability to swim, change of habits, education in schools, role of the media, lifeguard service, etc.) is no longer able to produce further improvements. Because these events are mainly concentrated in the three summer months, the actual impact of the phenomenon is much higher than what revealed by the total number of drowning. It is therefore necessary to find new tools and make even more effective those already known. Many accidents occur in waters with specific characteristics and conditions with high risk to bathers. Scientific data and information in this document can help the policy makers to make all the effective actions to contain the phenomenon.
Key words: Drowning; Prevention; Epidemiology