Men over 60 are the group most at risk of drowning at the beach or pool

Dozens of people drown in Catalonia every year. According to Civil Protection data, since the beginning of the year, 30 people have lost their lives: 22 drownings at the beach, five at the pool, and three in inland lagoons and swamps. The situation has worsened since the start of the summer season. Since 15 June, a total of sixteen people have died at beaches and pools. Only three were women, and only seven were under 60 years old.

Civil Protection data from recent years shows that the highest-risk group is men over 60, who predominantly drown at supervised beaches and pools with green flags.

The head of geriatrics at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Sant Boi, Sami Loutfi, highlights the factors older people should consider to prevent drowning at the beach or pool:

1. High sensitivity to cold

As people age, they become more sensitive to temperature changes. “It’s important to avoid a sudden drop in body temperature due to the impact of the water,” recommends the doctor, who adds that “if you’ve exerted yourself physically, spent many hours in the sun, or eaten a heavy meal, it’s better not to enter the water and to wait in the shade until your body temperature normalizes.”

Loutfi warns that “a strong temperature contrast can trigger dizziness, instability, discomfort, or even loss of consciousness.”

2. Dehydration

Older people have a reduced sense of thirst, so “it’s important to drink plenty of water frequently.” Especially during times of intense heat or prolonged sun exposure. Dehydration “is one of the biggest problems we encounter because it can cause heatstroke,” says Loutfi.

3. Medication with hypotensive or sedative effects

For those taking medications to lower blood pressure or with sedative effects, “it’s especially important to be accompanied in the water,” the doctor advises. “If hypotensive medication is combined with lower tolerance to cold, it’s easy to suffer a hypothermia episode quickly.”

4. Decreased risk perception

As people age, especially those who are apparently healthy and have no major illnesses, their perception of risk decreases. According to Loutfi, older people “do not have a realistic perception of the situation or the difficulty it entails.” Additionally, there are often impairments in vision, spatial perception, and sensory abilities.

5. Medical conditions: cardiac and neurological

Two pre-existing medical conditions influence the body’s reaction when swimming at the beach or pool. The head of geriatrics at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Sant Boi warns that “if a person has heart problems and is startled, either due to unexpected waves or loss of balance, the heart may race, leading to a sensation of drowning.” Sami Loutfi also notes that “neurological patients with Parkinson’s, epilepsy, or cognitive disorders experience impaired reflexes and posture, leading to balance issues and altered sensory perception of their surroundings.”

For these reasons, the geriatrics service at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Sant Boi recommends:

• Always swim accompanied, preferably in areas with lifeguards.
• Avoid yellow and red flags.
• Do not swim far out to sea.
• Avoid swimming areas with rocks or sudden changes in terrain.
• Do not enter the water abruptly, especially if the water is cold, you’ve been in the sun for a long time, or you’ve done intense physical exercise.
• Do not spend too much time in the sun; 20 minutes a day is sufficient.
• Drink water frequently and avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid heavy meals. Eat small amounts frequently.