There are a surprisingly high number of people that either can not swim or who feel uncomfortable in water. Estimates are as high as to suggest that one in four people have difficulty swimming. Given these high numbers it is surprising that little research has been performed in this field. A study found that aquaphobia was more common in children than phobias of spiders, insects, dogs, heights etc. Only phobias of rats and snakes were more common. Lack of research is not an indication of infrequency and, given that drowning is the fourth leading cause of accidental death in most western countries, any factor delaying the acquisition of water skills should be taken seriously.