Journal article
The lived experience of rescuing people who have driven into floodwater: Understanding challenges and identifying areas for providing support
Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.30(2), pp.252-257
2019
Abstract
Background: Drowning is a major public health issue, with risk increasing during times of flood. Driving into floodwater is a major risk factor for flood-related drowning and injury, and despite widespread public health campaigns, many people continue to undertake this risky behaviour and require rescue. Purpose: We aimed to identify key challenges faced by emergency services personnel when rescuing those who have driven into floodwater, and to identify strategies for supporting rescuers in this important role. Methods: Australian flood rescue operators (N = 8) who had previously rescued a driver who had driven into floodwater participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four challenges emerged from their experiences: involvement of untrained personnel; varying information provided by emergency telephone operators; behaviour of drivers complicating the rescue; people sightseeing floods or flood rescues or ignoring closed roads providing rescuers with sources of distraction and frustration. Conclusions: We propose five strategies for translating these results into practice, including: training and protocol development for (i) emergency personnel and (ii) telephone operators; (iii) training for rescuers regarding non-compliant rescuees; (iv) educating the public and (v) increasing compliance with closed roads. Current findings provide valuable insights into how rescuers can be supported in performing their roles, and implementation of these strategies has the potential to reduce fatalities occurring due to attempting to drive through floodwater. So what?: The strategies presented have the potential to reduce the frequency and improve the outcomes of floodwater rescues, aiding in the prevention of injury and death.
Details
- Title
- The lived experience of rescuing people who have driven into floodwater: Understanding challenges and identifying areas for providing support
- Authors
- Jacob J Keech (Author) - Griffith UniversityStephanie R Smith (Author) - Griffith UniversityAmy E Peden (Author) - James Cook UniversityMartin S Hagger (Author) - Curtin UniversityKyra Hamilton (Corresponding Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.30(2), pp.252-257
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1002/hpja.181
- ISSN
- 1036-1073; 2201-1617
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2019 Australian Health Promotion Association. This is the accepted version, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpja.181
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450831402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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