title: The 4Rs of Aquatic Rescue: educating the public about safety and risks of bystander rescue.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Education , The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.affiliation: b Department of Anaesthesiology , The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jonathon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Webber
authors.affiliation: c WaterSafe Auckland Inc. (WAI) , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004332:Drowning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D018635:Rescue Work; D012449:Safety; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013550:Swimming / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014836:Volition; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: aquatic-victim-instead-of-rescuer (AVIR) syndrome; drowning prevention; multiple drowning incidents; rescue competency; rescuer drowning; water safety education