Drowning timeline: a new systematic model of the drowning process

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine Vol. 34; no. 11; pp. 2224 - 2226
• Main Authors: Szpilman, David, MD, Tipton, Mike, PhD, Sempsrott, Justin, MD, Webber, Jonathon, BHSc, Bierens, Joost, MD, Dawes, Peter, Seabra, Rui, PhD, Barcala-Furelos, Roberto, PhD, Queiroga, Ana Catarina, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2016; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Data collection; Drowning; Drowning - prevention & control; Drownings; Emergency; Emergency medical care; Humans; Injury prevention; Models, Theoretical; Prevention; Public health; Researchers; Time Factors; Trauma; Working groups
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2016.07.063

Issues remaining include (1) marked differences in the definitions, terminology, and data collection methods used by local, national, and international agencies [5,6] and (2) lack of consistent bilateral communication of drowning data between prevention, rescue, and life-support services and downstream care entities. [...]by specifying unambiguous definitions of triggers, actions, and interventions, it provides the necessary tools for a more effective deployment of resources; better coordination between all drowning prevention, rescue, and treatment actors; the establishment of adequate prevention strategies; and for the measurement of future cost-benefit ratios related to outcomes in terms of public health, financial, political, and social impacts.