TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Who rescues who? Understanding aquatic rescues in Australia using coronial data and a survey
JO  - Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
A1  - Franklin, Richard Charles
A1  - Peden, Amy Elizabeth
A1  - Brander, Robert W.
A1  - Leggat, Peter A.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To examine fatal drowning associated with aquatic rescues and prior self-reported experience of undertaking an aquatic rescue in Australia. <br><br>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. <br><br>RESULTS: Twenty-three per cent (n=294/1291) of survey respondents had previously performed an aquatic rescue. Males (X<sup>2</sup> =35.2; p<0.001) were more likely to have performed a rescue; commonly at a beach/ocean/harbour location (X<sup>2</sup> =13.5; p<0.001). Females were more likely to have rescued a child (0-4 years of age) (X<sup>2</sup> =29.2; p<0.001) from a swimming pool (X<sup>2</sup> =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%). <br><br>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.<br><br>© 2019 The Authors.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1326-0200
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12900
ID  - ref1
ER  -