With the onset of warm weather and holidays, the Sheriff's Office is prepared to respond to accidental drowning or boat accidents on Lake Chatuge or on the Hiawassee River. If the past is indicative of the future we will have to respond to one or more of these types of incidents this year. Also included in this type of calls are pond and swimming pool accidents.
These types of calls are the most serious and fatal types of calls that the Sheriff's Officeresponds to. O ften on the lake, alcohol is involved in fatal accidents. A retrospective study of 1,052 unintentional drowning deaths in North Carolina during the period from 1980 through 1984 was carried out, with emphasis on the victims' activity and alcohol consumption in such deaths. T he overall drowning rate for North Carolina residents during the period covered by the study was 3.2 per 100,000 persons. M ales had the highest rate, 6.7 per 100,000 populations. S wimming and wading was most frequently associated in 41 percent of the drowning deaths. Fishing accidents accounted for 15 percent, while motor vehicle accidents 8 percent of fatalities. M ost accidents occurred in freshwater settings, notably lakes and ponds. However 29 percent occurred in rivers and creeks. O f the 752 victims 15 years and older tested for blood alcohol, 53 percent had positive tests and 38 percent had blood alcohol concentrations above the legal limit. This was significantin all settings and activity groups.
The Sheriff's Officeurges all citizens to be careful when on the water and to follow all regulations concerning alcohol consumption and life vest requirements so that this may be the safest year for our residents and that no lives are lost and everyone may enjoy our lakes and rivers.
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