RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The ocean lifeguard drowning prevention paradigm: how and where do lifeguards intervene in the drowning process?
JF Injury Prevention
JO Inj Prev
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 296
OP 299
DO 10.1136/injuryprev-2017-042468
VO 24
IS 4
A1 William Koon
A1 Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
A1 Linda Quan
YR 2018
UL http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/24/4/296.abstract
AB Drowning is a global health problem that can be addressed with multiple strategies including utilisation of lifeguards in recreational swim areas. However, few studies have described lifeguard prevention activities. We conducted a retrospective analysis using lifeguard activity data collected in real time with a Computer-Aided-Dispatch (CAD) system to characterise the nature of lifeguard primary and secondary drowning prevention at a popular ocean beach in California. Preventative actions constituted the majority (232 065/423 071; 54.8%) of lifeguard activities, while rescues represented 1.9%. Most preventative actions and rescues occurred during summer months, weekends and afternoons. Statistically significant geographical clusters of preventative actions were identified all over the beach, while rescue clusters were primarily restricted to two sites. Using the most reliable and valid collection system to date, these data show spatial and temporal patterns for ocean lifeguard provision of primary prevention as well as secondary drowning prevention (rescue).