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Descriptive Epidemiology of Rescue-Related Fatal Drowning in Turkey

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  • Ali Işın

    (Department of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey)

  • Adnan Turgut

    (Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07070, Turkey)

  • Amy E. Peden

    (School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

Abstract

Drowning is a public-health threat and a leading cause of injury-related death. In Turkey, drowning results in 900 fatalities annually, and the rate is rising. As data on rescue-related drowning are scarce, this retrospective study explores the epidemiology of fatal drowning among rescuers in Turkey. As there are no routinely collected death registry data on drowning in Turkey, data were sourced from media reports of incidents between 2015 and 2019. Rescuer fatalities were analysed by age, sex, activity prior to rescue, location, incident day of week and season, and place of death. Statistical analyses comprised X 2 tests of significance ( p < 0.05) and calculation of relative risk (95% confidence interval) using fatality rates. In total, 237 bystander rescuers drowned (90% male; 35% 15–24 years). In 33% of cases, the primary drowning victim (PDV) was successfully rescued, while in 46% of cases the rescue resulted in multiple drowning fatalities (mean = 2.29; range 1–5 rescuers). Rescues were more likely to be successful in saving the PDV if undertaken at the beach/sea (X 2 = 29.147; p < 0.001), while swimming (X 2 = 12.504; p = 0.001), or during summer (X 2 = 8.223; p = 0.029). Risk of bystander rescue-related fatal drowning was twice as high on weekdays compared to on weekends (RR = 2.04; 95%CI: 1.56–2.67). While bystanders play an important role in reducing drowning, undertaking a rescue is not without risk and can lead to multiple drowning incidents. Training in rescue and resuscitation skills (especially the prioritization of non-contact rescues) coupled with increasing awareness of drowning risk, are risk-reduction strategies which should be explored in Turkey.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali Işın & Adnan Turgut & Amy E. Peden, 2021. "Descriptive Epidemiology of Rescue-Related Fatal Drowning in Turkey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6613-:d:578072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Howland, J. & Hingson, R. & Mangione, T.W. & Bell, N. & Bak, S., 1996. "Why are most drowning victims men? Sex differences in aquatic skills and behaviors," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(1), pages 93-96.
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