Retrospective analysis of State Fire Service interventions in drowning incidents: a comparative study of the Mazovian and Lublin provinces

INTRODUCTION: Every year, numerous water-related incidents are recorded, many of which result in death or serious injury. Within the framework of the National Firefighting and Rescue System, the State Fire Service (SFS) plays a key role in rescue operations, including water rescue, carrying out both emergency responses and preventive activities. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of SFS interventions related to drowning incidents, with a comparative evaluation of data from the Mazovian and Lublin provinces in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of SFS interventions concerning drowning incidents in the Lublin and Mazovian provinces in the years 2021-2024. Data were obtained from SFS operational reports and included the year of the incident, the sex of the victim, the type of water body, the presence of an emergency medical service (EMS) team, performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the course of rescue operations. Incomplete cases and reports related solely to searches or recovery of corpses were excluded. The risk indices were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants, using population data from Statistics Poland as of 31 December 2024. Descriptive statistics, contingency tables, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to assess the relationships between variables. RESULTS: The analysis showed that most drowning incidents occur in summer, particularly among working-age men. Most drownings occurred in lakes (n=83), rivers (n=28), ponds (n=16). In the Masovian Voivodeship, 214 cases were recorded, while in the Lublin Voivodeship 138. The study highlighted the important role of spatial environmental factors and the availability of rescue points in shaping the risk of drowning. Lublin province consistently maintained a higher per capita intervention rate than the Mazovian province (average 1.73 vs. 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to increase public awareness about water safety and to strengthen the effectiveness of rescue interventions. The highest risk of drowning is associated with natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds.