Pearn, John, Peden, Amy E., and Franklin, Richard Charles (2020) Drowning of pet owners during attempted animal rescues: the AVIR-A syndrome. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 12 (2). 8.

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Abstract

The rescuer who drowns can result from the attempted rescue of a human or an animal. We report here a total population analysis of all drowning fatalities for the 14-year period 1–July-2002 to 30-June-2016 which involved an attempted rescue of an animal. Cases were drawn from the Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database, which in turn, derived its data primarily from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). Eight people drowned, all adults (ranging in age from 19-74 years), in the attempted rescue of an animal. Seven of the animals were domestic pet dogs, and in two cases farm animals. Six of the eight fatalities occurred in inland waterways. The AVIR-A syndrome, the ‘Aquatic Victim Instead of Rescuer– Animal’ (AVIR-A) drowning syndrome, is a subset of the AVIR drowning syndrome. Environmental design and regulation are unlikely to prevent this type of fatality. Public awareness, with emphasis on non-contact rescue training should be the approach taken.

Item ID:	63326
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1932-9253
Keywords:	drowning, animal, rescue, ethics, pet, advocacy
Related URLs:	https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol1...
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2020 22:32
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4202 Epidemiology > 420206 Forensic epidemiology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920409 Injury Control @ 100%
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