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Self-reported water and drowning risk exposure at surf beaches
Article first published online: 7 APR 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2009.00367.x
© 2009 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2009 Public Health Association of Australia
Issue
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Volume 33, Issue 2, pages 180–188, April 2009
Additional Information
How to Cite
Morgan, D., Ozanne-Smith, J. and Triggs, T. (2009), Self-reported water and drowning risk exposure at surf beaches. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33: 180–188. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2009.00367.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 APR 2009
- Article first published online: 7 APR 2009
- Received: March 2008 Revision requested: July 2008 Accepted: November 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- bathing beaches;
- drowning;
- environmental exposure;
- self report
Abstract
Objective: To document patterns of water exposure at surf beaches by gender and identify factors that predict bather confidence to return to shore if caught in a rip current.
Method: Recreational surf beach bathers (N=406) provided self-completed data on water exposure patterns, surf activity behaviours and potential drowning risk and protective factors.
Results: Relative to females, males visited surf beaches more frequently, expected to spend longer in the water and in deeper water, and more often bathed after using alcohol (p<0.05). Confidence to return to shore if caught in a rip current was predicted by confidence to identify a rip current, self-rated swimming ability, gender, times visited any beach, and age in a standard linear regression model (adjusted R2=0.68).
Conclusion: The study supports explanations that high male drowning rates result from more frequent exposure to water than females at high situational risk levels.
Implications: Controlled studies are required to determine the role in drowning of overconfidence, swimming ability, surf experience, floatation devices and response to sea conditions.