Analysis of rescue and drowning history from a lifeguarded waterpark environment

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyse rescue history from a lifeguarded waterpark environment using four characteristics: gender, age, water depth and type of aquatic attraction together with the actions taken by the guard to minimise the time needed to restore respiration in the case of loss of spontaneous respiration (LSR). Analysis of 63,800,000 guests with 56,000 rescues and 32 LSR rescues shows that children and shallow water both had relatively high levels of rescues [62.6% for children aged 1–12 years and 42% for water depth less than 1.52 m (5 ft)] and LSR rescues [53.2% for children aged 1–12 years and 65.6% for water depth less than 1.52 m (5 ft.)] with 87.5% of the LSR rescues resuming spontaneous respiration and 75% having a poolside neurological rating of Alert. Recommendations aremade to train lifeguards in effective scanning and early victim recognition and rescue together with the use of in-water intervention in rescue protocols.

Keywords:

• lifeguard
• drowning
• waterpark
• rescue
• swimming pool
• resuscitation