Citation

Connolly J. Int. J. Aquatic Res. Educ. 2014; 8(1): 73-97.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Bowling Green State University)

DOI

10.1123/ijare.2013-0029

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

"The Exit Problem" proposes that an unknown percentage of swimmers who die by drowning do so because they swam to where they think they are safe and they find themselves unable to exit the water, as opposed to drowning because they are unable to swim to safety. Forced to remain in the water, they eventually are swept away by currents as they become fatigued, trapped by underwater objects, bashed against rocks, trapped in mud, or they eventually succumb to cold shock and lose their grip as they are holding on to something. We suggest a number of solutions such as use of lights at ladders and other exit places and placement of hanging knotted ropes or grab chains at locations with steep sides.


Keywords: lifesaving, drowning, hypothermia, swift water, survival, water safety, swimming.

Language: en