What is the most common cause of submersion injuries in the adolescent population?

The most common cause of submersion injuries in the adolescent population is alcohol. Adolescence is a stage of life characterized by increased risk-taking behaviors, and alcohol consumption can impair judgement, coordination, and awareness of surroundings. This can lead to dangerous situations such as swimming while intoxicated or engaging in risky water activities that increase the likelihood of submersion incidents. The effects of alcohol can diminish an adolescent's ability to react appropriately to emergency situations, further increasing the risk of drowning.

While drug use can also contribute to impairment and risk behaviors, alcohol is particularly prevalent in social settings among adolescents, making it a more significant factor in submersion injuries. Other options, such as polluted water, may pose health risks or contribute to illnesses, but they do not directly lead to submersion incidents in the same way alcohol does. Rough play could occasionally result in accidents in water but is not as consistently linked to severe submersion injuries as alcohol is.