F E AT U R E : F ATA L B Y S TA N D E R R E S C U E S
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ustralians and overseas visitors love the beach, but beaches can be hazardous environments. Too often a visit to the beach can result in someone finding themselves in trouble in the ocean and needing to be rescued. While surf lifesavers and lifeguards perform rescues as part of their patrols, they cannot be at all beach locations at all times. In the absence of surf lifesaving services, it is often bystanders - members of the public - who represent the only form of assistance to those in distress, and perform many rescues, providing a significant and valuable service to the community. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the bystander themselves to drown while attempting a rescue in the ocean. A recent study by Surf Life Saving Australia3 has found that since 2004, there have been 67 coastal deaths (65 due to drowning) of bystanders attempting to rescue someone in the ocean, an average of 5 per year. Most rescuers were male, aged between 30-44 years old and were rescuing family or a loved one, usually a child aged under 18, who had been swimming before they got into trouble. The majority of rescues occurred in the afternoon, on weekends, over summer, and at regional beaches more than 1 km from a surf lifesaving service. Rip currents were a significant factor in three out of four of these incidents (73%), and were associated with almost all incidents that occurred at a beach (93%). The overwhelming majority of bystander rescuer victims (97%, n=65) did not use a flotation device when conducting their rescue. Providing a flotation device to a drowning victim has been identified as a priority intervention that interrupts the drowning process and is crucial for mitigating effects on rescuer safety. In the SLS study, only two rescue incidents involved the use of a flotation device, both of which were conducted by (off duty) volunteer surf lifesavers with significant levels of water safety training. Future bystander safety intervention approaches should target males, parents and carers visiting beach locations in regional locations during holiday times and should emphasise the importance of flotation devices when enacting a rescue and further educating visitors about the rip current hazard. Nobody plans to get into trouble, however too many people drown while enjoying our coast each year. SLSA are asking everyone to adopt a STOP, LOOK, and PLAN approach, as understanding the situation around you could save your life.
If you find yourself in a situation where you may be a bystander rescuer, don’t rush in. Take a moment to STOP, LOOK and PLAN what you should do. Depending on the situation you could: • Call for help (000) • Seek assistance from others, such as surfers • Avoid a contact rescue where possible – try a ‘noncontact’ rescue if you can and throw them something that floats or give them calm instructions how to get back to safety • If you must enter the water, always take a flotation device with you (e.g. boogieboard, angel ring, esky lid) • Learn how to provide CPR • Supervise children on, in and around water • Keep young children within arms reach • Where possible, swim between the red and yellow flags
This article has been adapted from Lawes JC, Rijksen EJ, Brander RW, Franklin RC, & Daw S. (2020). Dying to help: Fatal bystander rescues in Australian coastal environments. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0238317. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/comments?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0238317
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
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COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – RIP CURRENTS