Moran, Kevin, Quan, Linda, Franklin, Richard, and Bennett, Elizabeth (2011) Where the evidence and expert opinion meet: a review of open water recreational safety messages. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 5 (3). pp. 251-270.

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Abstract

Open water aquatic recreation is a significant cause of drowning, especially in developed countries that have easy access to aquatic environments. To simplify the plethora of safety messages promoted worldwide, 18 experts from 12 countries formed the International Task Force on Open Water Drowning Prevention (ITFDP) and published 16 generic, non-boating, open water safety messages. This paper examines the supporting evidence for the messages and makes recommendations for future research. A systematic review was undertaken of the literature published from 1990 to 2010. Task force members were asked to provide the Secretariat with organizational recommendations or the evidence base that informed their decision making. The review identified strong evidence bases for the importance of supervision and alcohol avoidance. Several messages were supported by some evidence such as lifeguards, CPR training, and life jacket use. The remaining messages had some supporting data and/or were organizational recommendations but lacked evidence demonstrating their efficacy. It identified where evidence to substantiate axiomatic wisdom is lacking and where research is needed to address gaps in our current knowledge of drowning prevention.

Item ID:	17644
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1932-9253
Keywords:	drowning prevention; water safety education; safety promotion
Date Deposited:	03 Aug 2011 04:59
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111706 Epidemiology @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111712 Health Promotion @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920409 Injury Control @ 100%
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