RENO, Nev. — World Drowning Prevention Day is July 25, and the Reno Fire Department is urging the public to prioritize safety when engaging in water activities. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 236,000 people drown annually worldwide.
Captain Greg Garman of the Reno Fire Department’s Water Entry Team highlighted the importance of understanding local water geography to prevent accidents. “Our responses to the river are a lack of knowledge on the geography that you’re going to be experiencing,” he said. Garman noted that the team has already responded to 29 rescue calls this year, matching the total for all of 2024.
A 2024 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a rise in drowning incidents across the United States. From 2020 to 2022, over 4,500 people drowned each year, an increase of 500 annually compared to 2019. In Washoe County alone, more than 50 people have died in drowning accidents since 2020, according to the Washoe County Coroner’s Office…