| Learning Objective #1: Identify the factors that contribute to recreational boating mishaps and injuries | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify strategies to prevent recreational boating mishaps, injuries, and fatalities |
OBJECTIVE: The impact of injuries from recreational boating accidents is staggering. Yet, there is a lack of reported data about the cause and nature of boating accidents and injuries. This study identified the factors that contributed to boating injuries associated with water skiing, tubing, and wake boarding. The findings were used to develop injury prevention strategies.
DESIGN: A descriptive, prospective study was conducted.
SAMPLE: A sample of 920 emergency department patients with boating injuries were included in the study. The largest percentage of injured patients (n=264) were treated for water-skiing, tubing, and wake-boarding injuries.
CONCEPT: The Haddon Matrix is an epidemiological model for identifying the factors that contribute to deaths and injuries. This matrix was used to examine the causes, events, and consequences of boating mishaps associated with water skiing, tubing, and wake-boarding.
METHODS: The study was conducted in 54 emergency departments. Patient interviews and medical records were used to compile data on the boating mishap and the subsequent injuries treated in the ED. Data were collected during the 2001 and 2002 boating seasons using an 83-item data collection form based on the Haddon Matrix.
FINDINGS: Using descriptive, univariate, and multivariate statistics, causes of the mishap (inattention, speeding, alcohol), type of mishap (crash, drowning, capsizing), and type and severity of injuries were analyzed.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, strategies to prevent water skiing, tubing, and wake boarding mishaps and injuries were developed. A national injury prevention program for recreational boaters will be developed in 2003.
IMPLICATIONS: Boating safety and prevention programs could provide unparalleled opportunities to reduce mortality, morbidity, and disability, to produce significant savings in health care costs and compensations, as well as to decrease human pain, suffering, and loss. Nurses have a key role in educating the public, other health professionals, and decision making organizations about boating safety.
Back to E.R. Nursing
Back to 37th Biennial Convention - Scientific Session
Sigma Theta Tau International