Experiences, beliefs, and attitudes of lifeguards from Australia and the United Kingdom toward lifeguard involvement in flood mitigation and response

Peden, Amy E.; Mayhew, Adrian; Baker, Shayne

doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103013

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…This is likely due to lower social vulnerability and more mature adaptation and disaster management strategies compared to other Southern Africa Development Community counterparts [ 21 ]. However, challenges in flood mitigation and response remain and, in settings where existing flood mitigation and response may be limited, water safety professionals represent a potential workforce to bolster existing resources [ 10 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to the conduct of the online training described in this study, the need for education on flood emergency awareness and skill development had been identified based on first-hand accounts from practitioners [ 10 ], and due to increasing flood risk across the globe [ 18 ]. As a result of this identified need, authors SB and AM (as well as Professor Mike Tipton and Dr Patrick Morgan) facilitated a one-day flood disaster workshop prior to the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Durban, South Africa, in 2019.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the online format presented challenges with respect to the knowledge and skills that could be taught, it was agreed that the initial ninety-minute session would aim to share Emergency Management Principles used in previous flood disaster management training [ 10 ], and to undertake a pre-workshop survey of attendees to gauge the interests, existing knowledge and expertise of workshop participants.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lifeguards, who typically respond to water emergencies, represent a potential asset for flood-prone areas without adequate resources. Research from the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia has found lifeguards to be willing and able to assist in flood mitigation and response, particularly as an asset to assist other emergency services [ 10 ], albeit with the appropriate prior training and equipment. This study is the only research to date which has conducted research with this cohort as it relates to flood mitigation and emergency response due to disasters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The increasing flood threat in South Africa, ongoing resource limitations, and challenges associated with flood mitigation and response, coupled with emerging literature identifying lifeguards as a potential resource in flood mitigation and response [ 10 ], suggest that there is an opportunity to upskill lifeguards and water safety professionals (henceforth referred to as water safety professionals) to assist in flood mitigation and response. From the perspective of South Africa-based water safety professionals, this study aimed to document the challenges in flood mitigation and response, to describe the flood training needs of this cohort, and to explore the feasibility and acceptability of online flood safety training.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring Flood Response Challenges, Training Needs, and the Impact of Online Flood Training for Lifeguards and Water Safety Professionals in South Africa

Peden

Mayhew²,

Baker

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Flooding is a significant cause of human and economic loss in the African region, including in South Africa. Flood mitigation and response in South Africa is challenging due to a range of environmental, infrastructure, and policy constraints. Lifeguards represent a potential additional workforce to bolster flood mitigation and response. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of online flood safety training for water safety professionals in South Africa, as well as assess the current flood response capacity and future needs of this group. Online surveys were completed by a convenience sample of South African water safety professionals (including lifeguards) pre-and post a series of four online flood training workshops. Free text responses were thematically coded and flood knowledge was compared between the pre-and post-workshop survey respondents. Sixty-eight responses were analysed (64.7% pre-workshop phase; 63.2% male, 29.4% aged 50–59 years). A range of challenges in flood mitigation and response were identified including equipment, training, and a lack of government support. However, positives were also identified including respondents’ willingness to assist in flood emergencies and good cooperation with neighbouring countries and across the region. Opportunities for better cross-municipal and government communication were discussed. In times of crisis, or in resource poor settings, water safety professionals can bolster traditional flood mitigation and response capacity. Opportunities exist to harness this willingness, but also improve cross-governmental and municipal knowledge sharing to improve future flood mitigation and response efforts in South Africa.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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