Descriptive Epidemiology of Rescue-Related Fatal Drowning in Turkey.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Drowning is a major public health concern in Turkey, causing 900 annual fatalities.
• Existing data on drowning incidents involving rescuers are limited.
• This study addresses the scarcity of information on fatal drowning among rescuers in Turkey.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology of fatal drowning incidents involving bystander rescuers in Turkey.
• To analyze factors influencing the success and risk associated with bystander rescues.
• To identify potential risk-reduction strategies for drowning incidents in Turkey.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study analyzing media reports of drowning incidents from 2015 to 2019.
• Data collected on rescuer demographics, activity, location, time of incident, and outcome.
• Statistical analyses included Chi-squared tests and relative risk calculations.

Main Results:

• 237 bystander rescuers drowned, predominantly males aged 15-24 years.
• Successful rescue of the primary drowning victim (PDV) occurred in 33% of cases.
• 46% of rescues resulted in multiple fatalities, with an average of 2.29 additional deaths per incident.
• Rescues at beaches/seas, during swimming, and in summer were more successful.
• The risk of fatal drowning for rescuers was double on weekdays compared to weekends.

Conclusions:

• Bystander rescues, while crucial, carry substantial risk and can lead to multiple fatalities.
• Targeted training in rescue and resuscitation techniques, emphasizing non-contact methods, is recommended.
• Increased public awareness of drowning risks is essential for effective risk reduction in Turkey.