Unobtrusive observation of caregiver-child pairs at public pools and playgrounds: Implications for child unintentional injury risk
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 7, no. 3 (2013), p. 204-213
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- Description: This study aimed to determine and compare the nature of supervision children received in two settings that have different levels of environmental risk, an aquatic setting (public pools) and a nonaquatic setting (playgrounds). An observational design was implemented to examine caregiver and child behaviors at six indoor public pools and four playgrounds. Chi-square tests of homogeneity were conducted to determine associations between caregiver and child variables. Preschool children received significantly higher levels of supervision than school-aged children in both settings. For school-aged children the level of supervision varied between settings, with children significantly more likely to be unsupervised in public pools and poorly supervised on playgrounds. Reasons for the lack of supervision in aquatic settings remain unclear, particularly as this setting was considered to present higher environmental risk, because drowning rates are high for young children. Because evidence indicates inadequate supervision is common in aquatic settings, further investigations are required to identify ways to promote closer supervision practices and determine caregiver perceptions regarding their responsibilities when supervising young children in aquatic settings.
- Description: C1
Supervision
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Drowning: Prevention, Rescue, Treatment Chapter 27 p. 175-179
- Full Text: false
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- Description: In 1989, it was noted that lapses in parental supervision was the most frequently cited contributory factor in child drownings [1]. Whilst findings from drowning studies completed in the 1980s are now somewhat dated, more recently it has been recognised that further research investigating variations in parental supervision and differences in exposure to water and swimming pools is required [2]. Whilst supervision is ubiquitously mentioned as a contributing factor in child drowning literature, few researchers have attempted to formally define the term [3, 4]. For studies that have provided a definition, all are based on the hierarchical model of supervision that incorporates three dimensions:Attention: visual and auditoryProximity: touching, within reach, beyond reachContinuity: constant, intermittent, absent [5]Based on this model, a combination of all dimensions is required to define supervisory behaviours, with supervision increasing as one or more of the three supervision dimensions increase. Although there is no standardised operational definition of supervision in aquatic settings or other contexts, the hierarchical model appears to provide a sound framework for measuring supervision.
A lack of aquatic rescue competency : A drowning risk factor for young adults involved in aquatic emergencies
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Community Health Vol. 43, no. 4 (2018), p. 688-693
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Drowning is an important public health issue with major impacts on young adults aged 15–24 years, yet little is known about the causal factors for drowning for this group. As young adults recreate with peers in unpatrolled aquatic environments, the capacity to perform effective and efficient rescues seems pivotal. This study examined perceived ability of young adults to perform a rescue; determined the level of aquatic rescue knowledge; and measured the effect of an aquatic rescue intervention. In total, 135 participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys and rescue practical testing. Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank tests were used to assess significant differences pre- and post-intervention and Mann–Whitney tests used to compare groups. Pre-intervention, participants had a low level of rescue knowledge (Mdn = 50) and the relationship between perceived rescue ability and practical rescue testing was weak (rs = 0.33, p ≤ 0.001). Post-intervention, ability to perform a contact tow demonstrated significant improvement (z = − 9.09, p < 0.001, r = − 0.79) and rescue knowledge also improved significantly (Mdn = 100, z = − 9.42, p < 0.001, r = − 0.81). Many young adults lacked both the physical capacity and knowledge required to safely perform a rescue, a factor that may place them at increased drowning risk if they attempt an aquatic rescue. As a rescue based intervention can significantly improve competency of young adults regardless of previous experience and/or qualifications, research needs to consider how best these competencies can be promoted and/or developed with this high risk group.