Drowning in Australia is more than coastal drowning
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 11, no. 2 (2008), p. 84-85
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- Description: C1
Can you swim? An exploration of measuring real and perceived water competency
- Authors: Moran, Kevin , Stallman, Robert , Kjendlie, PerLudvik , Dahl, Dagmar , Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren , McElroy, G. Keith , Goya, Toshiaki , Teramoto, Keisuke , Matsui, Atsunori , Shimongata, Shuji
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 6, no. 2 (2012), p. 122-135
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- Description: Little is known about the relationship between real and perceived water competence among youth in the context of drowning prevention or of their perceptions of their risk of drowning. This study reports the findings of an international project entitled Can You Swim? Collegiate physical education students (n = 373) were assessed in a two-part study using an initial questionnaire survey to provide self-estimates of water competency and risk perception, followed by six practical tests in the water. Correlation coefficients between perceived and real swimming (rs = 0.369) and floating (rs = 0.583) skills were significant but only moderate in strength. No significant gender differences in real or perceived water competency were found. Significantly more males than females estimated lower risk of drowning associated with a series of aquatic scenarios (p = 0.016). The implications of these findings on drowning prevention and the need for further investigation are discussed. © 2012 Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Description: 2003010691
Swim instructor beliefs about toddler and preschool swimming and water safety education
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer , Moran, Kevin , Petrass, Lauren , McElroy, G. Keith , Stanley, Teresa
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 6, no. 2 (2012), p. 110-121
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- Description: To study the teacher component of the parent-teacher-learner triad in preschool aquatics and explore compatibility of instructor messages with current drowning prevention beliefs, 133 preschool aquatics instructors were surveyed. Instructors with basic swim teacher accreditation and those with a preschool/infant instructor extension ("Extension") were compared. More Extension instructors selected "safety" as an important outcome (
- Description: 2003010690
Can you swim? Self-report and actual swimming competence among young adults in Ballarat, Australia
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer , McElroy, G. Keith , Harvey, Jack , Moran, Kevin
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 6, no. 2 (2012), p. 136-148
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- Description: This paper reports the Australian findings in an international study comparing self-reported and actual swimming and aquatic skills of young adults. Physical Education and Sports Sciences students (n = 263) completed the "Can You Swim?" self-report survey and practical skills assessment, unaware that the practical tests replicated survey items. Relationships for comparisons between practical tests and their matched survey item were weak, indicating participants had inaccurate perceptions of their own swimming skills. Typically, they underestimated their competence in terms of distance and fundamental aquatic skills. Understanding of what constitutes different levels of swimming ability was poor; for example, most participants identified as average or good to excellent swimmers, but more than half of self-identified average swimmers and 20% of good to excellent swimmers estimated they could complete < 100 m of continuous swimming. The implications of study findings for drowning prevention and the need for further research are discussed. © 2012 Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Description: 2003010667
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
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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.
Can you swim? Teaching teachers of swimming and water safety
- Authors: McElroy, G. Keith , Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Proceedings of the XIIth International Symposium for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming p. 553-558
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Moving forward : How best do we investigate parental supervision of children at the beach?
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 2008 Australian Water Safety Conference : Water safety - everyone's responsibility, Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales : 15th-16th May 2008 p. 103-106
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- Description: Introduction/background: Previous University of Ballarat research identified that parents supervise their children with less vigilance at swimming pools than playgrounds, despite the serious consequences potentially associated with inadequate supervision at pools. The closed environment of public pools and the presence of lifeguards may be influential in lowering parental guard. The proposed research project aims to investigate parental supervision at beaches, specifically related to child injury risk and drowning prevention. The research is still in the design phase and the researchers seek input from water safety experts to assist in project development. This session will be interactive, providing ample opportunity for audience members to contribute to discussion. Methods: Following a brief outline of our research to date and current plans for further research, the presenters will invite expert comment from conference delegates regarding study design. It is anticipated that the ensuing discussion will be interesting and stimulating. Discussion: Consequent to this session and the discussion it fosters, the researchers will refine their research plans. The opportunity to receive input from the group of interested and concerned individuals who make up the Water Safety 2008 audience will enhance the proposed research, leading to an improved research project, the findings of which will help water safety stakeholders in targeting their drowning prevention programs. Conclusion: Expert opinion is a recognised process for research design development. Water Safety 2008 provides an ideal forum to enhance the proposed research through interaction with practitioners. In turn, the findings of this research will provide important information to those actively involved in the fight against drowning.
- Description: 2003007659
How do parents supervise their children at pools and playgrounds?
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 2008 Australian Water Safety Conference : Water safety - everyone's responsibility, Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales : 15th-16th May 2008 p. 30-33
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- Description: Methods: A six-hour observation of behaviour potentially associated with injury risk was conducted at six public pools and four playgrounds. Supervision and behaviour were quantified using an observational tool based on the Saluja et al.1 model and Morrongiello’s 2 definition of supervision. Infants to 10 year-old children engaged in play and their carers were observed. Child behaviour, corresponding parent supervision, and parental intervention were recorded. Results/Evaluation: Chi-square tests showed higher levels of supervision were associated with specific behaviours in pools and playgrounds. Factors significantly linked to level of parental supervision included child age; parent age; number of children for whom parents were responsible; and in aquatic settings, swimming ability of the child. Discussion: Level of parental supervision differs with children’s play. Despite increased dangers in aquatic environments, parents supervised less at pools than playgrounds highlighting inappropriate parental dependence on lifeguards. Conclusion: Future research examining the relationship between supervision and young children’s risk of drowning at other aquatic environments is required. Attention, proximity and continuity of supervision should be assessed. Findings will enable key water safety stakeholders to further highlight this phenomenon in drowning prevention programs.
- Description: 2003007681
Getting in : safe water entry competencies
- Authors: Moran, Kevin , Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren , McElroy, Keith
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 13, no. 2 (2021), p.
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- Description: In high income countries, jumping and diving into water are a small but persistent cause of death and serious injury especially among male youth and young adults. Although water entries maintain a high media profile, little is known about what entry competencies and underlying water safety knowledge youth bring to this practice. Undergraduates enrolled in aquatics (N= 76) completed a survey before attempting 7 entry jumping and diving tasks. While safety attitudes and self-reported behaviours were generally good, considerable variation in practical entry competence was evident. Most completed a deep-water compact jump (87%) and PFD jump (88%) with ease. Many completed a crouch dive (57%) and standing dive (53%) into deep water with ease, but only 33% completed a standing dive from a block/bulkhead (<1m height) with ease. Ways of addressing weaknesses in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours are discussed and recommendations made to enhance the teaching of safe water entry. © 2021 Human Kinetics Publishers Inc.. All rights reserved.
“They don't think it will ever happen to them” : exploring factors affecting participation in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity among young Australian adults
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah , Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Promotion Journal of Australia Vol. 32, no. S2 (2021), p. 229-237
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- Description: Issue addressed: Young adults are over-represented in alcohol-related drownings in high-income countries; however, little research has investigated their behaviours and decision-making to inform prevention efforts. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 young Australian adults (aged 18-24 years). Questions, informed by previous research, inquired about behavioural practices in aquatic contexts and influences on involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Thematic and interpretative phenomenological analysis followed. Results: Two main themes: personal and contextual awareness, and the impact of other people affected perceptions and involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. Perceived control of situations and self-confidence affected how these influences impacted individuals’ involvement. Participants acknowledged some young adults likely overestimate their aquatic abilities. This awareness was not discussed in relation to their own capabilities. Conclusion: Drowning prevention efforts should inform young adults of the dangers of combining alcohol and aquatic activities, and make risks appear more immediate and applicable. Consideration should be given to measuring both perceived and actual aquatic abilities within various aquatic environments, to determine whether self-reported perceived competence is an accurate proxy measure for actual aquatic ability. The influence of alcohol should also be highlighted. Steps are required for a positive shift in Australian norms of alcohol use in aquatic settings and the social and cultural attitudes towards this. So what?: This study provides new insight into young adults’ perceptions and involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. It enhances the evidence base for drowning prevention and health promotion practitioners and should inform more focused campaigns to prevent alcohol-related drownings among young Australian adults. © 2021 Australian Health Promotion Association
Alcohol_focused drowning prevention campaigns : what do we know and what should we do now?
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah , Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 12, no. 2 (2020), p.
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- Description: Alcohol and drugs have been identified as key risk factors for youth (aged 15-24 years) and adult drownings in high-income countries (HIC). Whilst alcohol specific drowning prevention education programs have been developed and implemented, youth continue to be over-represented in drowning statistics, including those linked with alcohol. Therefore, this project aimed to: (i) review and assess all alcohol themed drowning prevention campaigns within HICs; (ii) determine whether the campaign had undergone evaluation for effectiveness; and (iii) provide recommendations to improve the effectiveness of future interventions. For each of the eighty-one HICs identified for the 2019 fiscal year, searches of peer-reviewed literature (through academic databases) and grey literature (through webpages and emails to organisations) were conducted. Twelve alcohol focused campaigns were identified, with only two providing limited information about program evaluation. For most campaigns identified, there was a dearth of information available and therefore assessment of campaign quality was unfeasible. This brief report highlights a lack of alcohol themed drowning prevention campaigns in HIC, and an absence of evaluations on their effectiveness. Implications associated with a lack of program evaluation are discussed and adoption of the recommendations from this brief report should enhance the quality of future research in this area. © 2020 Human Kinetics Publishers Inc.. All rights reserved.
Respecting alcohol, respecting the water : young adult perspectives on how to reduce alcohol-influenced drownings in Australia
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah , Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Promotion Journal of Australia Vol. 32, no. S2 (2021), p. 218-228
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- Description: Issue addressed: Alcohol-influenced drowning among young Australians (aged 18-24 years) is a prominent health concern. However, effectiveness of targeted prevention campaigns for this age group is unknown, as this information is not typically published in peer-reviewed or easily accessed grey literature. Accordingly, future campaigns cannot build on prior efforts to address this health problem. Methods: Semi-structured interviews ascertained young Australian adults’ perspectives on preventing alcohol consumption in aquatic settings, and their awareness of appropriate safety strategies and Australian national and state drowning prevention campaigns. Discussions were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results: Twenty-three individuals (mean age 20.65 years) participated in an interview. Participants had poor understanding of alcohol-focused drowning prevention campaigns and used logos and names to decipher key campaign messages. Education was recommended as the preferred method for prevention, and participants suggested preferences for delivery (eg social media, in schools, humour and shock tactics). The safety strategies discussed appeared to be transferred from strategies used in other contexts, rather than related to the specific risks of aquatic scenarios. Conclusions: Drowning prevention practitioners should ensure transparency and clarity of their campaign names and logos to enhance understanding of the messages. Practitioners should also consider using audience analysis during campaign design, delivery and evaluation, alongside best practice recommendations from literature, to enhance campaign suitability and effectiveness. So what?: Water safety practitioners and policy makers should acknowledge these findings when developing campaigns which address young adults’ lack of awareness of safe aquatic behaviours to encourage a sustained behaviour change. © 2020 Australian Health Promotion Association.
Predicting young adults’ intentions and involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah , Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 13, no. 3 (2021), p.
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- Description: Globally, alcohol consumption is a public health issue and a risk factor for drownings among young adults. While studies have identified a prominence of alcohol in youth drownings, little is known about the factors that influence young adults’ involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. The current study aimed to identify the predictors of young adults’ intention to participate, and past participation, in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. A reliable and valid survey, informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, was distributed to young adults (aged 18-24 years) educated in the UK and Australia. Cumulative odds ordinal logistic regressions with proportional odds were conducted to establish predictors. Overall, 182 participants completed the survey. Subjective norms (Wald
Exploring the impact of a student-centred survival swimming programme for primary school students in Australia : the perceptions of parents, children and teachers
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Simpson, Kate , Blitvich, Jennifer , Birch, Rhiannon , Matthews, Bernadette
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Physical Education Review Vol. 27, no. 3 (2021), p. 684-702
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- Description: Teaching basic swimming, water safety and rescue skills is recommended by the World Health Organization for all school-aged children. However, there is a lack of evidence on effective pedagogies to develop swimming competency and the success of swimming lessons as a drowning prevention intervention. This study used a self-report questionnaire and practical testing procedures to examine the effectiveness of a 10-week student-centred aquatic programme designed for children aged 10–12 years. The study also determined whether the non-traditional swimming programme was accepted by swim teachers, school teachers and principals, and parents from a range of schools from different geographical regions in Victoria, Australia. A total of 204 students were enrolled in the programme. The pre-programme results indicated a good level of swimming, water safety and aquatic knowledge, but low swimming ability. Swimming ability significantly improved from pre-programme to post-programme, with no significant post-programme ability differences between male and female children or for participants from different programmes. Qualitative feedback collected through questionnaires, interviews and/or focus groups from students (n = 73) and parents (n = 69), school teachers and principals (n = 14), swim teachers and swim school managers (n = 21) indicated strong support from principals and swim teachers for the student-centred pedagogy, and all stakeholders valued the focus on survival swimming competencies. This research highlights the importance of including stakeholders when designing and implementing aquatics programmes. The study has resulted in a well-founded, effective programme with tailored resources and instructional materials that are available for swim centres and schools that would enable schools globally to adopt and implement this programme. © The Author(s) 2021.
Alcohol consumption in aquatic settings: a mixed-method study exploring young adults’ attitudes and knowledge
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah , Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Vol. 28, no. 6 (2021), p. 595-605
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- Description: Retrospective studies have identified alcohol as a significant risk factor in drownings involving young adults. Few studies have explored this issue, therefore the current contextual understanding of alcohol consumption in aquatic settings is limited. This study used a survey (n = 182) and one-to-one and small group interviews (n = 23) to investigate knowledge and attitudes of United Kingdom and Australian young adults (aged 18–24 years) towards involvement in aquatic activity after consuming alcohol. Findings illustrated a poor level of general and aquatic-specific alcohol knowledge. Australian educated participants, and those self-reporting: stronger swimming competence; and/or completion of alcohol and water safety education; and/or participation in aquatic activity following alcohol consumption, achieved significantly higher knowledge scores. Most reported a neutral attitude, and those with previous experience of alcohol consumption in aquatic settings had more accepting attitudes of this behavior (p < 0.001). The aquatic activity, context and amount of alcohol consumed influenced attitudes. Participants reported a lack of alcohol-focused drowning prevention or water safety education for their age group, and many referred to their upbringing and parents’ behaviors as reference for what was safe. Drowning prevention practitioners should consider these results to ensure young adults understand the risks of consuming alcohol in all aquatic contexts. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.