Proportion (%) of submersion victims for which various characteristics were reported in newspapers before (1993–95) and after (1996–98) a letter was sent urging newspaper staff to report more detail about submersion events
| Descriptive characteristics | 1993–95 (n=384) | 1996–98 (n=703) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Comparisons regarding life vest use were limited to swimming and boating activities. | |||
| County of residence | 100 | 100 | 0.7 |
| County of submersion | 100 | 100 | 1.0 |
| Pre-submersion activity | 100 | 100 | 1.0 |
| Swimming ability | 7 | 16 | <0.001 |
| Supervision | 82 | 91 | <0.001 |
| Life vest use* | 35 | 23 | <0.001 |
| Alcohol use | 7 | 24 | <0.001 |
| Type of water craft | 100 | 98 | 0.004 |