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https://theconversation.com/drowning-for-love-5-ways-to-protect-your-life-while-youre-trying-to-rescue-someone-in-trouble-in-the-water-197411>
"The news headlines show summer is a deadly period for drowning in Australia.
Sadly, between December 1 and January 9, 35 people died due to drowning.
There are a range of reasons why the season is one of heightened risk for
water-related incidents. Our research shows drowning risk is twice as high for
children during school holidays and similarly increased for adults on public
holidays.
People may be more likely to visit unfamiliar places and waterways not
patrolled by lifeguards. They may seek relief in the water on hot days and
consume alcohol while swimming, fishing or boating. Such risks can, and do,
lead to tragedy at our beaches, rivers and pools.
Two recent summer tragedies have involved bystanders who have drowned trying to
rescue someone from the surf. On January 1, an off-duty police officer drowned
while rescuing his son who was caught in a rip current at a beach south of
Narooma, New South Wales.
Just a few days later, a man drowned after trying to rescue his daughter from a
rip current at Black Head Beach on the NSW mid-north coast. A nearby surfer was
able to bring the girl ashore, but returned to assist her father and found him
unresponsive. Both incidents involved rip currents at unpatrolled beaches and
bystanders who drowned trying to save a child.
Researchers have a name for this tragic scenario: Aquatic Victim Instead of
Rescuer syndrome or “drowning for love”."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
