It is a real scourge that affects all age categories. 1,013 Noes were identified in France between June 1 and August 13, 2025, of which 268 were followed by death, according to a public health review of France.
Compared to 2024, during the same period, there is a 14 % increase in these drowning. On the other hand, the number of deaths after these drowning is stable between two years.
This increase in the number of drowning, which have resulted in a transfer to the emergency room, is multifactorial.
A link with global warming
Public Health France said that during the period only from June 19 to July 6, in the first episode of Heat Wave of the Summer, “315 were listed, 86 followed by death.” “There is a correlation between climatic conditions and drowning,” says BFMTV.com Guillaume Turpin, deputy director of coastal rescue operations at sea (SNSM).
He explains: “When there are high temperatures, people will bathe more, therefore, proportionally, there are more drowning.”
These people who swim when they are very hot are not always aware of danger. “When we throw ourselves into the water after being in full sun, there is a risk of hydrocution,” said Axel Lamotte, spokesman for the French Federation of Madeurs’ successors (FFMNS).
Short monitoring
The problem is also that at the beginning of this episode of the heat wave, especially in June, all municipalities had not yet established surveillance on the beaches. In fact, although the budgets of the communities are increasingly limited, certain municipalities reduce the period of surveillance by rescuers. “Certain municipalities that offered surveillance from June to September now only do so in July and August,” adds Axel Lamotte.
By taking into account the increases in drowning during the period from June 1 to August 13, 2025 compared to 2024, it seems that they are mainly 6 to 12 years and adults who were affected this year.
Beyond the lack of knowledge of good practices to adopt when swimming, there is usually a decrease in the swimming level, according to Axel Lamotte.
“We need a drowning prevention policy”
There are fewer swimming courses at school, especially due to a reduction in the number of lifeguards. “It is an unattractive and poorly paid job, with unconventional schedules and important criminal risks. Some prefer to resort to other sectors,” he explains.
To this is added the closures of municipal pools, in particular due to the significant costs they represent for the municipalities and some for their obsolescence. “A larger territorial network is needed,” begs the spokesman of the French Borios Federation.
To reduce these drowning and deaths linked to them, measures can be established in their place. “A policy of drowning prevention is absolutely necessary, as was the case at a time for road safety,” said Axel Lamotte.
This implies in particular a training program for lifeguards, a longer beaches surveillance, but also a greater surveillance by all.
Caution during swimming
“You have to swim in the swimming areas monitored with a rescue station and verify that the flag is green or orange. If this is not possible, then you should not go alone and it is important to swim parallel to the beach. Above all, you have to stop the buoy game, which consists of reaching the large buoys 300 meters from the beach,” Guilla Turpin said of the SNSM.
He adds: “If there are children in the lower age, they should always be observed in the supervised area. Bañistas must also carefully go to the water, especially when there is a significant gap between the external temperature and that of the water. No one is immune to a cramp or discomfort.”
For its part, Axel Lamotte recommends going to the pool regularly to be ready for summer. “Aquatic activity is recommended throughout the year. The pool is the Swimming, Health and Welfare School. Going there two or three times a week with the family helps to avoid the risk of drowning and being healthy.”
Source: BFM TV
