From 1980-2012, 81 persons fatally drowned in New Zealand while attempting to rescue others. Of these, most (80%) were male, and all rescue fatalities occurred in open waters. Festivalgoers (N = 415) attending a cultural event in Auckland, New Zealand took part in a water safety survey that included information on their readiness to respond in a drowning emergency. Many indicated they would jump in and rescue a victim (47%), while less than one third (30%) would get flotation to the victim. Significantly more males responded that they would jump in and attempt a rescue (males 55%, females 40%). Most (62%) estimated that they could only swim less than 100 m; 85% reported having swum that distance in a swimming pool rather than in open water where most rescues take place; and one half (50%) had last swum the distance more than one year ago. Ways of promoting safe rescue knowledge are discussed and further research directions are identified.

From 1980 to 2014, 87 persons drowned in New Zealand while attempting to rescue others; all incidents occurred in open water and most (80%) fatalities were male. While bystander rescue has been promoted as a way of preventing drowning, little is known about the knowledge base that informs potential rescuers. This study utilized a family water safety programme to promote a resource entitled the 4Rs of Aquatic Rescue. Participants (n = 174) completed a pre-intervention survey and were then provided with information and access to electronic resources on safe bystander rescue techniques. Most respondents (71%) had never been taught rescue techniques, and males were more confident of their rescue ability. Upon completion of the programme, significant differences were evident in respondents' understanding of rescue safety, but this did not translate to greater confidence or disposition towards performing a rescue. Ways of promoting bystander safety around water are discussed and recommendations for future studies are made.

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Little is known about people's perceptions of how much swimming competency is required to provide protection from drowning, especially in open water environments where most drowning incidents occur. This study reports on parental perceptions (n = 309) of swimming competency of themselves and their children and parents' beliefs on their safety when swimming in open water. Most parents (58%) considered themselves good/very good swimmers, although more than half (55%) considered that they could swim 25 m or less. Most parents (87%) reported that their children could swim, with more than one-half (52%) believing that their child's swimming competency was good/very good, yet most (74%) considered their child could swim only 25 m or less. Most parents (59%) and almost all children (81%) had never actually swum their reported distance in open water. In spite of these low levels of competency, one-half (51%) of parents thought their children were safe/very safe in open water. We discuss the implications of holding an overly-optimistic belief in the protective value of minimal levels of swimming competency for open water safety. Further exploration is recommended regarding the differences between real and perceived swimming competency especially among at-risk groups such as male children and adults.Keywords: real and perceived swimming competency, drowning prevention, child safety, parental perception, water safety IntroductionWater competence has long been regarded as a critical safety factor in the prevention of drowning. Recent work has identified the dynamic interaction of person, activity, and environment and the consequent changing competency base required for the prevention of drowning in recreational activities (Langendorfer, 2011). From a drowning prevention perspective, levels of water competence need to be flexible to allow for the differences between people, activities, and environments. The person who can float for a set time or swim a certain distance in a warm pool wearing only a swimsuit may not be able to repeat those same competencies to the same level of competency in a cold, open water environment fully clothed. Further, how people perceive their swimming competency in open water influences their perception of their safety and their potential risk of drowning. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of swimming competency and drowning risk that informs people's understanding of their safety and that of others in their care in an open water environment.

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