The lived experience of rescuing people who have driven into floodwater: Understanding challenges and identifying areas for providing support

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Brander

et al. 2019

Self Cite

Objective: To examine fatal drowning associated with aquatic rescues and prior self‐reported experience of undertaking an aquatic rescue in Australia. Methods: Previous aquatic rescue experience was sourced through the 2013 Queensland Computer Assisted Telephone Instrument Survey and compared to data on rescue‐related fatal unintentional drowning between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015. Results: Twenty‐three per cent (n=294/1291) of survey respondents had previously performed an aquatic rescue. Males (X2=35.2; p<0.001) were more likely to have performed a rescue; commonly at a beach/ocean/harbour location (X2=13.5; p<0.001). Females were more likely to have rescued a child (0‐4 years of age) (X2=29.2; p<0.001) from a swimming pool (X2=34.3; p<0.001). Fifty‐one people drowned while performing an aquatic rescue (Males=82.4%; 25–44 years of age=53.0%; beaches=54.9%). Conclusions: Drownings are prevented by bystanders; this is not without risk to the rescuer. Most people perform only one rescue in their life, often at a younger age, on an altruistic basis, of family members or young children. Community‐wide rescue skills, taught at a young age, with consideration for coastal, inland and swimming pool environments, may prevent drowning. Implications for public health: There is a need to train people early in their life on how to undertake a safe rescue and provide resuscitation, including promoting regular updates, in particular if supervising children.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Implications For Public Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who rescues who? Understanding aquatic rescues in Australia using coronial data and a survey

Franklin

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Brander

et al. 2019

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“…This study identified non-aquatic transport incidents (driving into floodwater) as the leading activity accounting for 41% of all deaths. Multiple prevention strategies have been suggested for preventing people driving into floodwaters [13,17,21,23], however for child drowning, the responsibility lies with the parents or caregivers (as drivers of the vehicle) and therefore such strategies must influence their decision making. Use of a health protection model [43] may be valuable when considering appropriate strategies; as similar approaches to discouraging the behavior of driving into floodwaters have appealed to drivers to consider the risk to their own life, that of their passengers and rescuers [21].…”

Section: Risks Of Driving Into Floodwatersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While previous bodies of research associated with floods have focused on the overall epidemiology [13][14][15], behavioral research associated with driving into floodwaters [16][17][18][19][20], and issues impacting rescuers [21]-as well as community experiences [22], perceptions [23], response and resilience [24,25]-few studies have specifically examined the epidemiology and circumstances associated with child drowning during times of flood. A study in Bangladesh identified a strong association between the annual monsoon season and child drowning of those aged 1-4 years in Matlab, Bangladesh [26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Flood-Related Unintentional Fatal Drowning of Children and Adolescents Aged 0–19 Years in Australia

Franklin

2019

Safety

Self Cite

Disasters, such as flooding, are predicted to increase. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death during times of flood. This study examined the little explored topic of child drowning during floods, with the aim of identifying risk factors to inform prevention strategies. A retrospective, total population examination of cases of children and adolescents aged 0–19 years who died from unintentional flood-related drowning in Australia for the 16-year period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2018 was undertaken. Univariate and chi-square analysis was conducted, with Fisher’s exact test used for cell counts <5. Across the study period, 44 flood-related drowning deaths occurred among children and adolescents (63.6% male; 34.1% aged 10–14 years). Almost all (84.1%) occurred in rivers, creeks, or streams in flood, with the remaining incidents occurring in storm water drains (n = 7). Leading activities immediately prior to drowning were non-aquatic transport (40.9%), swimming in floodwaters (25.0%), and falls into floodwaters (15.9%). Flood-related fatal drowning among children and adolescents is rare (0.05 per 100,000 population), however flood-drowning risk increases as remoteness increases, with children and adolescents drowning in floodwaters in very remote areas at a rate 57 times that of major cities. All drownings are preventable, and this study has identified key causal factors that must be considered in advocacy and prevention efforts. These include: the importance of adult supervision, avoiding flooded waterways when driving or for recreational purposes, and the increased risks for those residing in geographically isolated and socially disadvantaged areas. Findings must be considered when developing interventions and advocacy for the purposes of the reduction of child and adolescent drowning during times of flood.

“…Driving into floodwaters is a leading activity immediately prior to flood-related drowning, a fact that has been highlighted in a number of countries (Diakakis & Deligiannakis, 2013, 2017Fitzgerald, Du, Jamal, Clark, & Hou, 2010;Franklin, King, Aitken, & Leggat, 2014;Gissing, Haynes, Coates, & Keys, 2016;Hamilton, Peden, Keech, & Hagger, 2016;Hamilton, Peden, Pearson, & Hagger, 2016;Hamilton, Price, Keech, Peden, & Hagger, 2018;Haynes et al, 2017;Keech, Smith, Peden, Hagger, & Hamilton, 2019;Pearson & Hamilton, 2014;Peden et al, 2017;Pereira, Diakakis, Deligiannakis, & Zêzere, 2017;Salvati, 2018;Freddy Vinet, Boissier, & Saint-Martin, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of human behaviour in and around floodwater

Hamilton

Demant

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

et al. 2020

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Flooding can have a major impact on people's safety and livelihood. Understanding people's flood-related behaviours may assist in the development of more effective strategies aimed at lessening the impact of floods including mortality and morbidity. This systematic review examined peer-reviewed literature published from January-1989 to April-2019 on human behaviour in and around floodwater to identify behaviour patterns as well as protective and risk factors. We extracted three main themes from a thematic analysis of included studies (N=54): activities and risk-taking behaviours (n=24); loss reduction, knowledge, and warnings (n=37); and diet and hygiene (n=4). This review had limitations which prevented definitive conclusions being made. What does seem apparent is the limited knowledge of the social psychological mechanisms that guide behavioural responses in a flood event. Further exploration of methods to improve preparedness, increase the likelihood of evacuation, and reduce 'risky' behaviour during floods is needed. Future studies should prioritise addressing these gaps to enhance the evidence-base for reducing the impact of floods including floodrelated mortality and morbidity.