internationallifesavingfederation.doc

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATION DROWNING PREVENTION STRATEGIES A framework to reduce drowning deaths in the aquatic environment for nations/regions engaged in lifesaving 2008 Edition 10th July 2008 The International Life Saving Federation Gemeenteplein 26, 3010 Leuven, Belgium Email: ils.hq@pandora.be Web: CONTENTS Preface 3 - The International Life Saving Federation 3 The Lifesaving Commission 3 The Drowning Prevention Commission 3 - The Rescue and Education Committees 4 Foreword - How to use this information 5 Executive Summary 6 Background 8 - What is “Drowning” (a definition) 8 - What is known about world drowning 8 - The cost of drowning 8 - The cost of prevention 9 - Contributing factors 9 - Drowning deaths across the various life stages 9 - Partnering with other organisations 10 - Evidence based principles 10 Preventive Measures 12 - Primary measures 12 - Secondary measures 13 - Tertiary measures 13 - Prevention programmes should take into consideration 13 - Death by drowning can be reduced 14 The Drowning Prevention Chain 15 The role of risk assessments 15 Pictorial representation of the Drowning Prevention Chain 16 Summary of control measures (intervention strategies) 17 Factor 1 – Lack of knowledge, disregard or misjudgement of the danger 18 Factor 2 - Uninformed or unrestricted access to the hazard 25 Factor 3 - Lack of supervision or surveillance 28 Factor 4 - An inability to cope once in difficulty 35 Appendix – Risk Assessment 39 Conclusions 41 Recommendations 42 References 43 Organisations Interviewed 44 Acknowledgements 46 PREFACE The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is reviewing drowning prevention strategies. This first edition of Drowning Prevention Strategies, A framework to reduce drowning deaths in the aquatic environment for nations/regions engaged in lifesaving, reviews