Objectives: Risk factors for drowning are largely undocumented among military populations. This paper describes the role of alcohol and other risk-taking behaviors in drowning events among male Army soldiers.
Methods: This cross-sectional study describes all drownings reported to the US Army Safety Center (1980-1998) and documents demographic characteristics and risk-taking behaviors associated with these drownings.
Results: 352 male drowning victims were disproportionately young, black, single, had shorter prior time in service, and were more likely to have only a high school degree or less. Alcohol played a contributory factor in at least 31% of the cases (52% of cases where alcohol was mentioned, 31% of all cases). Risk behaviors covaried; those who drowned in events where alcohol was a known factor were almost 10 times more likely to have also engaged in other reckless behaviors (OR=9.6, 4.5-20.7). Alcohol use was more common among drownings occurring in Europe (OR=4.3, 1.5-13.4). Drownings involving black victims were less likely to involve alcohol but were more likely to occur in unauthorized swimming areas. Most drownings occurred where there was no lifeguard present (68%) but almost 2/3rds occurred in the presence of other people. Still, CPR was initiated in less than a 1/3 of the cases.
Conclusions: This study suggests more needs to be done to target the demographic groups at highest risk for drowning. Interventions need to be tailored toward the different needs of demographic subgroups since behavioral risk factors varied across these groups. Finally, better initial CPR training and refresher courses are needed.
Learning Objectives: Audience members will become aware of the role of alcohol use as well as other risk-taking behaviors in drowning events among military personnel. They will become familiar with key epidemiologic research tools and databases used to study alcohol use and injuries among active duty Army populations. They will understand the importance of investigating variations in risk factors across demographic sub-groups as an important first step to the development of effective intervention programs
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Injury
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Work was supported by a grant from NIAAA and was completed at two locations: Social Sectors Development Strategies, Inc. (SSDS, Inc.),
and the U.S. Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (USARIEM)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.