Lifeguard Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Context: According to the 4W model one of the key factors of drowning is the casualty characteristics (Avramidis, Butterly, Llewellyn, 2007). The aim of the study was to identify if risk taking behaviour can lead to drowning after engagement in swimming and non-aquatic activities. Methods: Qualitative content analysis (QSR, 2002) of drowning incident videos (n = 41), and semi-structured interviews of those involved in drowning incidents (n = 34) followed by the measurement of frequencies and Boolean search with matrix intersection was conducted. Results/Discussion: Risk-taking behaviour was the cause of drowning in relatively few aquatic accidents (11, 15%). Sensation seekers were willing to take risks that involved psychological anxiety (7, 9%) for satisfying their need (e.g. illegal bungee jump and parachute jump from high bridges etc.) (Franken et al., 1992). Learning Outcomes: 1. People behave riskily while engaged in activities perceived as controllable by themselves and recognized as risky by others. 2. High sensation seekers are unrealistically optimistic, take risks voluntarily for satisfying their needs, view the world as less threatening and fearful, expect that the outcome would be less negative, and are likely to report a lifetime history of antisocial behaviour. 3. Risk taking behaviour can lead to drowning.

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- Water Safety/Drowning/Lifesaving, Risk-taking, Drowning, Aquatics

The aim of this educational review article was to identify cases of Hollywood stars who have been involved in aquatics. A literature search was conducted using the terms ‘drowning’, ‘Hollywood’, ‘actor’, rescue’, ‘aquatics’, ‘swimming’ and ‘lifeguard’. It was found that several Hollywood film stars (n=33; males=20, females=13) have worked as lifeguards (n=12), performed lifeguard rescues (n=2), or lifesaving rescues (n=4), were aquatics athletes (n=6), or suffered drowning-related incidents (n=9). A brief overview of those actors and their involvement in aquatics is presented.

The aim of the present study was to develop a conceptual model of drowning incidents. Qualitative content analysis (QSR, 2002) of drowning incident videos (n = 41), and semi-structured interviews of those involved in drowning incidents (n = 34) followed by the measurement of frequencies and Boolean search with matrix intersection was conducted. Results confirmed that when there is human activity in, above, or around an aquatic environment, a drowning incident may occur to whomever, wherever, and under whatever circumstances may exist. Factors that determined drowning outcome were, in order of importance, rescuer characteristics (Who1), casualty characteristics (Who2), location (Wherever), and general circumstances (Whatever). The interaction of the rescuer with the casualty largely determines the outcome of drowning. The 4W model is a promising tool in lifesaving and lifeguarding.

- by Stathis Avramidis
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- Water Safety/Drowning/Lifesaving, Emergency Management, Drowning, Lifeguard

What do pigeons, dolphins, horses and dogs have in common with a rescuer? They have all been used as partners in rescuing drowning casualties. The present review article summarizes how they contribute to a rescue, as well as describes some historical incidents in which animals saved human lives. Animals rescue humans either as a result of training that they have received, or they are driven by pure instinct ((Abstract of the authors)

This study aimed to suggest practical and teaching applications of the 4W model of drowning. A major literature review of quantitative research was undertaken to identify potential risk factors of drowning, qualitative content analysis was used to analyze pub-licly available drowning incident videos (n = 41, M = 345.0, SD = 2.8), and 34 individu-als involved in drowning incidents were interviewed (30 males age 16–65 years, M = 28.4, SD = 11.3; 4 female age 19–65 years, M = 37.5, SD = 19.5). Results confirmed that test criteria such as a 100 m run–50 m swim–100 m run for open water and a 50 m run–20 m swim–50 m run for pool/water parks could be more useful for assessing speed com-bined with an ‘early approach’ to the victim than any currently in operation. The ‘early approach’ criterion would be established to test the ability of the lifeguard to be able to remain alert, to have good vision, to recognize the casualty’s instinctive drowning re-sponse, to initiate a rescue ignoring the bystander’s lack of response and to reassure the drowning victim. Drownings and their rescue interventions should be perceived as 3-dimensional problems.

When there is human activity in, above, or around an aquatic environment, a drowning incident may occur due to rescuer characteristics, casualty characteristics, location, and general circumstances (Avramidis, Butterly & Llewellyn, 2007). The aim of the present study was to identify where people drown. Qualitative content analysis was utilized to analyze drowning incident videos (n = 41), and semi-structured interviews of those involved in drowning incidents (n = 34). Drowning incidents may occur in any aquatic environment with a water depth that allows immersion or submersion; in a variety of environmental conditions; where the ground in sloping; at any distance from safety; where anxiety is caused; in the absence or safety regulations or when the law is breached.

- by Stathis Avramidis
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- Water Safety/Drowning/Lifesaving, Drowning, Lifeguard, 4W model of Drowning
- by chuan chuan
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- Management, Algebra, Chemistry, Instructional Design
- by Michael A Istvan Jr.
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- Creative Writing, American Literature, American History, Sociology

The aim of the present study was to identify under what circumstances people drown. Qualitative content analysis was utilized to analyze drowning incident videos (n = 41), and semi-structured interviews of those involved in drowning incidents (n = 34). Results confirm that drowning incidents might occur at any time and during any season although mainly during the daytime. Drowning can occur after engaging in just about any form of human activity, on, near, above or under the surface of a liquid (mainly water), and often as the result of a lack in quality or absence of rescue and personal protective equipment. Also, any risky activity that doesn’t comply with appropriate safety procedures might lead to drowning and various types of rescue might be used.

The aim of the present study was to identify the casualty characteristics that contribute to drowning according to the 4W model (Avramidis, Butterly & Llewellyn, 2007; 2009). Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze drowning incident videos (n = 41), and semi-structured interviews of those involved in drowning incidents (n = 34). Results confirm that human activity in, on, around an aquatic environment can lead to drowning regardless of the casualty’s type, gender, age, ethnicity, and area of residence. Males far outnumbered females as drowning victims. Younger persons were more likely to drown than adults. Due to socio-economic differences black people in our sample were likely to drown more often while whites who drowned were engaged in aquatic activities that lower socioeconomic individuals likely cannot afford or gain access to. Non swimmers, casualties who have lost consciousness and non-residents to specific aquatic environments also were the ones in the highest danger.

- by Stathis Avramidis
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- Water Safety/Drowning/Lifesaving, Emergency Management, Drowning, Lifeguard

The article discusses the impact of an accident on each host country for the Olympic Games, in which an athlete cut his head after diving from a 3-meter springboard in September 1988 in Seoul, Korea. The lessons learned from the incident were applied by each host country to organize better facilities and safer games. Sports facilities, particularly the aquatic facilities and the lifeguards who had to supervise the swimming pools, also must be ready.

One challenging question in the water safety industry is how much should rival lifeguard agencies cooperate with other agencies for implementing similar practices to be used to save lives? The present article proposes an international ‘lifesaving declaration’ that should be followed by all lifeguard organizations, clubs and their members. While the lifesaving motto of the last century was ‘whomsoever you see in distress see a fellow man’ referring to the casualty, today, clearly, it should be ‘whomsoever is rescuing a distressed person see a fellow rescuer’ showing that the keys in drowning prevention are the partnership and the collaboration among all involved parties.

- by Stathis Avramidis
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- Water Safety/Drowning/Lifesaving, Drowning, Lifeguard