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Abstract
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Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle collisions and falls (World Health Organization, 2004). According to the 4W model, a drowning incident might happen to Whomever (Who1: rescuer, Who2: victim), wherever and under whatever circumstances if there is an aquatic environment and human activity in, around, or above it (Avramidis, Butterly, Llewellyn, 2007). Although a large amount of published literature describes how to prevent an aquatic disaster or drowning (Carrera, 1997; Hunsucker, 1993; Morgan, 1999; Vlasich, 1989), many accidents are unpreventable (Vogelsong, Griffiths & Steel, 2000). Therefore, a greater emphasis on effective rescue remains necessary.
As lifeguard or rescue intervention in open water is very often the last option, rescuers are always the hidden victims of a disaster (Jones, 1985; Raphael et al., 1983; Shepherd & Hodgkinson, 1990). First, very frequently the lifeguards or rescuers are placed in danger due to extreme weather conditions. Aquatic emer- gencies might take part during the night, in fog, while it is raining, snowing, when visibility is poor and the waves high, or the tide is strong. In other words, apart from the victims, the rescuers are also likely to be in danger of being drowned (Avramidis, Butterly, Llewellyn, 2007). Second, even in cases where the rescuers are not drowned, they can be seriously injured while performing a rescue (Mori- zot, 2007). Finally, there is a possibility of developing post traumatic stress disor- der (Grosse, 2001) with negative consequences for their psychological health (Goleman, 1995; Hidalgo & Davidson, 2000; Howsepian, 1998).
Consideration of these facts raises a series of questions about what measures the water safety organizations have taken to protect the aquatic professionals. Can we improve survivability of victim and rescuer by making better use of the exist- ing rescue equipment or even by developing new ones? Alternatively, what types of rescue could be used that would not require any intervention by a beach life- guard or rescuer when weather conditions are not safe for performing a rescue? Can we use animals when rescuing drowning victims or at least can we use some of their specific characteristics (e.g., vision, swimming speed, strength) to help us detect more easily or approach more quickly a drowning victim?
Language: en |