Number of drownings increases alarmingly

The incidents of drowning increased significantly in the country during the recent period.

At least five people were drowned in separate incidents at different parts of the country during the last weekend (July 10 and 11), said police and rescue service sources.

According to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation, 88 people were drowned in the country so far this year.

The federation, recorded 66 incidents of drowning in Finland in the first six months of 2021, which is 26 more cases than what it was in January-June, 2020.

With about 150 to 170 people drowning every year, the drowning rate in Finland is relatively high when measured in terms of inhabitants.

Most of the drowning incidents in Finland take place in the summer months of June–August, said Niko Nieminen, communications specialist and instructor at the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation, explaining that most such accidents could be avoided if more attention was paid to safety, alertness and preparedness.

Issues of safety, alertness and preparedness have become especially important now as the temperature reaches 30 degrees in some parts of Finland and many Finns spend their summer vacation by the water.

The overestimation of abilities and the influence of alcohol are the main reasons people drown in Finland, Nieminen said.

“About a half of all people who drown in Finland are under the influence of alcohol. With temperature rising and carelessness, it all looks like a perfect storm,” he told Daily Finland.

People, therefore, should always stay sober when they spend time by or in the water, he said.

It is also striking that about 80 percent of the people who drown are men. An explanation for this is that, Nieminen said, men generally tend to take more risks than women. He said that it is extremely important to make a realistic assessment of swimming skills before getting into the water.

“Swimming and other water activities are good for health”, Nieminen said, adding that it is safe to spend time by and in the water as long as people follow basic safety rules.

“Never go swimming somewhere alone. Always stay along the banks, or coast, or in the shallow water where one can stand at all times,” he said.

“Children should be taken special care of and be kept under touch supervision, so within the arm’s reach of their guardians. Children should be taught the safety rules,” Nieminen added.

The Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation advises that everyone should learn how to swim. This is extremely important as “equipment such as inflatable armbands, swimming floats or floating swimsuits are no replacement for swimming ability.”

For other water activities, Nieminen urged everyone to wear life jackets correctly and check that the devices are seaworthy and contain the necessary safety equipment.

“Finland has thousands of lakes, rivers and long stretches of seashore, which is accessible to the public. So, people spend a lot of time close to the water,” he said.

Finland counts almost 190,000 lakes and 3,400 kilometers of sea line.