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Issue Addressed: Rivers are a leading location for fatal drowning worldwide, often geographically isolated from timely medical assistance. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) benefits drowning victims and those who suffer cardiac arrests. This study explored CPR and first-aid training of river users in Australia.Methods: Adult river users (18+ years) were surveyed at four high-risk river drowning sites. Respondents were asked the last time they undertook CPR (responses converted into: "CPR ever undertaken"-yes/no; and "CPR training current"-yes/no (training undertaken ≤12 months ago). Responses were explored by demographics and social determinants of health.Results: Of those surveyed (N = 688), 98.4% responded regarding CPR. Seventy-five percent (74.9%) had undertaken CPR training previously. Females and 35- to 44-year-olds were more likely to have undertaken training (P < 0.05). Males and older people (65+ years) were less likely to hold a current qualification (P < 0.05). Major city residents reported a longer mean time (5.4 years) since last trained than remote and very remote locations (2.0 years). People in low socio-economic areas had a shorter time since qualification current (5.8 years) than those in areas deemed high (7.2 years).Conclusion: Current CPR qualifications are important, particularly among those visiting high-risk river drowning locations. System-level, upstream strategies that should be explored include compulsory CPR training in secondary schools and linking CPR updates to motor vehicle licence renewals. SO WHAT?: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a vital component of multifaceted river drowning prevention. Social determinants of health, such as socio-economic disadvantage and geographical isolation, were not barriers to participation or currency of qualification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: Coronial data provide rich information on drowning causal factors. Coroners may make recommendations to prevent future drowning events. Rivers are the leading drowning location in Australia. This study examines coronial recommendations associated with unintentional fatal drowning in Australian rivers from an injury prevention perspective.Methods: All river drowning cases in Australia between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2012 were extracted from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). Recommendations were thematically analysed. Using a deductive process, each unique recommendation was coded to a category aligned to the Hierarchy of Control's 6 levels. An inductive process was used for those not categorised. Recommendations were also coded against a modified SMART principle.Results: Of the 730 river drownings, 58 cases (7.9%) resulted in 71 unique recommendations. Victorian cases (X2  = 32.1; P < 0.01) and multiple fatality events (X2  = 41.9; P < 0.01) were more likely to have recommendations. Common categories of recommendations were administrative (39.4%) and signage-related (18.3%). Recommendations were often low on the Hierarchy; namely administrative (67.6%) and behaviour (19.1%). Half (50.7%) satisfied four of six modified SMART principle components.Conclusion: Coronial recommendations associated with river drowning in Australia are reasonably rare. Recommendations provide opportunities for organisations to enact change, however, they could be strengthened with a specified time period and higher order control strategies recommended. SO WHAT?: SMART coronial recommendations may be more successful in achieving the behavioural, social and societal change required to prevent future river drownings. The recommendations examined in this study can be used as a benchmark for what could be considered appropriate safety actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: Drowning is a global public health challenge with a need to ensure equity to drowning prevention information and interventions. In Australia, people born overseas are identified as being at greater risk of drowning. This paper presents findings from a community-based qualitative evaluation of swimming and water safety (SWS) programs delivered to adults from migrant backgrounds in Sydney, Australia.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in November-December 2019 among 35 female participants of SWS programs targeted to adult migrants. While offered to all SWS program participants, no males took part in the study. Focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using a deductive approach. The domains of enquiry were guided by the health belief model and the theory of planned behaviour.Results: Study participants were ≥25 years, first generation and most had lived in Australia for ≥10 years. Most were nonswimmers and were fearful of water prior to the program. Key themes were: direct SWS program outcomes, health and well-being; enablers and barriers to participation including: motivation, a program coordinator, fear and settlement priorities.Conclusion: Findings suggest that in order to increase SWS participation among migrant communities, the broader determinants of health need to be considered. Culturally appropriate strategies are required to enable both men and women equal opportunities to access SWS programs.So What: SWS programs provide multiple benefits for adult migrants; however, the impact on reducing inequities is limited, with broader multi-strategic health promotion approaches and policies required for inclusion and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: Cycling participation rates in Australia and Queensland remain low. Rural residents typically do not have distinct cycling infrastructure available for use. Investigating current cycling participation and barriers to cycling engagement will inform future work to promote cycling engagement.Methods: Data were collected through the inclusion of cycling-related questions in the 2012 Queensland Social Survey.Results: The majority of the sample had not cycled in the previous 12 months (66%; n = 831). Significantly more rural residents reported not cycling due to environmental concerns (P < 0.05) and preferring other modes of transport or exercise (P < 0.01). Rural cyclists (31.4%; n = 113) had higher levels of cycling engagement in the previous week (41.6% to 32.6% urban; χ2  = 7.83; n = 420; P < 0.05) but lower cycling durations than urban cyclists (41.6% rural residents cycling for 30+ minutes vs 57.4% urban residents; χ2  = 8.25; n = 418; P < 0.01). Rural cycling engagement was independently associated with being male (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.40-3.91); sufficient physical activity engagement (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.10-3.15); and having children at place of residence (1-2 children: OR = 3.21; 95% CI = 1.88-5.49; 3+ children: OR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.17-7.75).Conclusions: One-third of all adults cycled in the previous 12 months irrespective of location; however reasons for not cycling varied by urban/rural location. Results indicate that environmental factors appear to be inhibiting cycling participation in rural areas. Advocating for government commitment for infrastructure development to support safe cycling across Queensland including outside of metropolitan areas is required. SO WHAT?: This research explores self-reported cycling engagement amongst a sample of urban and rural dwelling Queenslanders. Differences in cycling exposure and reasons for lack of engagement offer insights into what may encourage greater cycling participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]