Safety legislation, public health policy and drowning prevention

Abstract

[Extract] Drowning continues to be a major cause of child mortality and morbidity throughout the world, even in colder climates (Sharp & Saunders, 2006). Three decades of vigorous advocacy (Pearn, 1985; Pitt & Balanda, 1998) have reduced the incidence of childhood drowning in high-risk communities, but much remains to be done.

Safety legislation is one of the four stratagems that can be used to prevent drowning. The others include: (a) public education of the risk with increased advocacy for safety (Pearn & Nixon, 1979); (b) improved ergonomic design (e.g. improved physical safety barriers); (c) a combined 'secondary' approach, in which lives are saved in spite of the drowning incident by improved rescue, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and retrieval. Some types of drowning incidents in childhood are amenable only to a limited repertoire of preventative stratagems.