Open AccessWho rescues who? Understanding aquatic rescues in Australia using coronial data and a survey
Author(s) -
Franklin Richard C.,
Peden Amy E.,
Brander Robert W.,
Leggat Peter A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12900
Subject(s) - medicine , injury prevention , suicide prevention , search and rescue , aquatic environment , telephone survey , poison control , occupational safety and health , human factors and ergonomics , environmental health , demography , medical emergency , ecology , biology , pathology , marketing , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , robot , business
Abstract Objective : To examine fatal drowning associated with aquatic rescues and prior self‐reported experience of undertaking an aquatic rescue in Australia. Methods : Previous aquatic rescue experience was sourced through the 2013 Queensland Computer Assisted Telephone Instrument Survey and compared to data on rescue‐related fatal unintentional drowning between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015. Results : Twenty‐three per cent (n=294/1291) of survey respondents had previously performed an aquatic rescue. Males (X 2 =35.2; p<0.001) were more likely to have performed a rescue; commonly at a beach/ocean/harbour location (X 2 =13.5; p<0.001). Females were more likely to have rescued a child (0‐4 years of age) (X 2 =29.2; p<0.001) from a swimming pool (X 2 =34.3; p<0.001). Fifty‐one people drowned while performing an aquatic rescue (Males=82.4%; 25–44 years of age=53.0%; beaches=54.9%). Conclusions : Drownings are prevented by bystanders; this is not without risk to the rescuer. Most people perform only one rescue in their life, often at a younger age, on an altruistic basis, of family members or young children. Community‐wide rescue skills, taught at a young age, with consideration for coastal, inland and swimming pool environments, may prevent drowning. Implications for public health : There is a need to train people early in their life on how to undertake a safe rescue and provide resuscitation, including promoting regular updates, in particular if supervising children.