[Accidents in recreational waters].

Several countries fail to systematically collect statistical data on accidents in bathing waters of recreational areas. Yet, drowning, near-drowning, head trauma and spinal chord injuries are important causes of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. In Italy, the available statistical data are circumscribed to drowning, and show that between 1969 and 1997 the mortality dropped from some 1,200 to some 500 cases/year, and its rate from 21 to 7.5 deaths per million resident/year. The mortality for drowning is much higher in males than in females, but in the period examined it halved in both the sexes. From 1969 to 1997, the mortality rates considerably decreased in all the age subgroups, but particularly in that of young people. The analysis of these data indicates that some general factors have played an important role, like a better education and information, a greater surveillance by adults and a better organisation of summer resorts. A national strategy aimed at preventing recreational accidents would provide much better results than those obtained without any planning.