Drowning chain

The drowning chain is a series of conditions that on their own, or together can lead to a person being drowned.[1] Each link in the chain can lead on to another link, or directly to a fatal or non-fatal drowning. The chain is used by lifeguards as a basis for targeting their activity at preventing, rather than reacting to, drowning or other incidents.

The conditions that allow drowning to occur can be summarised by the 'drowning chain', in which each link can lead directly to an incident, or can lead on to the next link, and is shown below. It consists of people having a lack of education (e.g. about water safety or local conditions), a lack of safety advice (e.g. about rip currents at a beach) a lack of protection (e.g. such as no flotation device for a weak swimmer), lack of safety supervision (e.g. from a family member or lifeguard) or an inability to cope (e.g. strong surf with a weak swimmer).[2]

The drowning chain provides a clear basis for preventing drowning which includes:[1]

* education and information
* provision of warnings
* denial of access
* supervision
* training in survival skills

Some organisations use a variation on the above model which follows:[3][4]

1. Ignorance, disregard or misjudgment of danger
2. Uninformed or unrestricted access to the hazard
3. Lack of supervision or surveillance
4. Inability to cope

This alternate model follows the same key points, with slightly more emphasis on personal responsibility.

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b Whatling, Shaun. Beach Lifeguarding. Royal Life Saving Society. ISBN 0-907082-41-6.
2. ^ "Bronze Medallion Theory: Water Safety" (PDF). University of London Union Lifesaving Club.
3. ^ "Beach Safety Information". Surk Life Saving Queensland. Archived from the original on 2009-02-04.
4. ^ "Water Safety - Summer Holiday Special". BBC Nottingham. July 2002.

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Lifesaving and lifeguarding

International standards bodies|

* International Lifesaving Federation
* International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation

National societies|

* DLRG
* Lifesaving South Africa
* Royal Life Saving Society Australia
* Royal Life Saving Society Canada
* Royal Life Saving Society UK
* Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth
* Surf Life Saving Australia
* Surf Life Saving New Zealand
* United States Lifesaving Association
* RFESS - Royal Spanish Lifesaving Association
* Wasserwacht

Sub-national societies|

* The Hong Kong Life Saving Society

Topics|

* Lifesaving
* Lifesaving (sport)
* Lifeguard
* Surf lifesaving
* First aid
* Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
* Drowning chain
* Rip current

Awards|

* Lifesaving Medal
* Albert Medal for lifesaving
* Bronze Medallion
* Bronze Cross
* National Lifeguard

Life-saving appliances|

* Lifebuoy
* Rescue buoy
* Throw bag
* Life saving reel
* IRB
* Surf ski
* Paddle board

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