Characterization of Unintentional Fatal Drowning within National Park Service Parks and Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area Pubblico
Taetzsch, Ellen Gitschier (2011)
Published
Abstract
Background: Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional
deaths worldwide and
seventh in the United States. Young children are more likely to
drown in domestic
bodies of water whereas adolescents and adults in natural bodies of
water. Males are at a
greater risk of drowning than females. The National Park Service is
dedicated to
preserving natural and historic treasures within the United States.
Due to the nature of
these parks, visitors are at risk for injuries, and drowning is the
leading cause of
unintentional fatality in the parks.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to characterize drownings
within the National Park
Service and Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area by
examining
demographics, timing, location and other factors associated with a
drowning event.
Methodology: A retrospective analysis was performed using data
collected from the
Public Risk Management Visitor Injury System for all national parks
between July 21,
2006 and October 20, 2010. Univariate analyses were conducted.
ANOVA and chi-
square tests were run to determine associations. More detailed park
level data were
obtained from Delaware Water Gap. The time frame for these data
were January 1, 1971
to October 20, 2010.
Results: The drowning rate within all parks was 2.4 per 10,000,000
visitor days. For
Delaware Water Gap it was 6.1 per 10,000,000 visitor days. Drowning
fatalities were
concentrated among those 15 to 24 years and predominantly effected
males. Seasonal,
weekday and time of day variation was seen. Those parks whose main
source of water
were lakes or ponds had the highest rate of drowning. Parks located
within the Northeast
Region experienced the highest drowning rate.
Discussion: Increased exposure to water due to temperature and
ability to participate in
water events was primarily responsible for increases in drowning.
The denominator used
to calculate rates was visitor days, not those visitors that were
exposed to water. Rates
may be diluted since more visitors enter the park than those
exposed to water. These
findings allow for a better understanding of drowning within these
parks.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction and Rationale
...................................................................................................................1
Chapter 2: Literature Review
...............................................................................................................................3
Drowning a Global Issue:
.....................................................................................................................................3
Definitions:........................................................................................................................................................4
Risk Groups:
......................................................................................................................................................5
DALYS:
.............................................................................................................................................................7
Drowning in the United States:
..............................................................................................................................7
Prevention:
......................................................................................................................................................10
Findings From Characteristics of Drowning by Different Age Groups
By L Quan and P Cummings:
.......................................12
National Park Service:
........................................................................................................................................13
Chapter 3: Methods
...........................................................................................................................................15
All National Park Service Parks
..............................................................................................................................15
Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area:
......................................................................................................17
Chapter 4: Results
..............................................................................................................................................19
All National Park Service Drownings
........................................................................................................................19
Age and Gender Characteristics of Fatal Drowning Victims within the
National Park Service
...............................................22
Timing of Drownings within the National Park Service
.................................................................................................23
Hour of Drowning:
...............................................................................................................................................24
Weekday
...........................................................................................................................................................24
Month
...............................................................................................................................................................26
Activity Prior to Drowning Event within the National Park
Service
..................................................................................27
Water Type in Park within the National Park Service
...................................................................................................28
Region within the National Park Service
....................................................................................................................30
Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area
.........................................................................................................32
Age and Gender Characteristics and Distribution of Fatal Drowning
Victims at Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area ..33
Timing of Drownings within Delaware Water Gap National Recreational
Area
.....................................................................35
Hour of Drownings
................................................................................................................................................35
Weekday
............................................................................................................................................................35
Month
................................................................................................................................................................36
Activity Prior to Drowning Event at Delaware Water Gap National
Recreational Area
..........................................................38
Chapter 5: Discussion
...........................................................................................................................................39
References:
........................................................................................................................................................49
Appendix A:
........................................................................................................................................................51
Appendix B
.........................................................................................................................................................55
Appendix D
.........................................................................................................................................................59
Appendix E:
........................................................................................................................................................61
About this Master's Thesis
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