Surf Lifeguard Perceptions and Practice of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Authors

Kevin Moran, The University of AucklandFollow
Jonathon Webber, The University of AucklandFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.06.01.05

Disciplines

Exercise Physiology | Exercise Science | Health and Physical Education | Kinesiology | Leisure Studies | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy | Outdoor Education | Recreation Business | Sports Management | Sports Sciences | Sports Studies | Tourism and Travel

Abstract

While the importance of lifeguards in providing immediate and effective basic life support (BLS) in drowning has been well reported, not a lot is known about how lifeguards perceive the relative value of CPR as a lifeguard skill, their training in it, and the likelihood of resuscitation being successful. A self-complete questionnaire was completed by 252 volunteer surf lifeguards at 16 surf beaches in the Greater Auckland,NZ region. Results show that most lifeguards (65%) had received training in the 3 months before the survey, 83% were willing to perform CPR, few (9%) had used CPR in an emergency, and many had a realistic expectation of the likelihood of CPR being successful. Recall of CPR compression rates (86%) was very good but initial steps at an emergency scene were less accurately recalled. Ways to address the misconceptions reported in the survey through enhanced training programs are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Moran, Kevin and Webber, Jonathon (2012) "Surf Lifeguard Perceptions and Practice of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)," International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education: Vol. 6: No. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.06.01.05
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol6/iss1/5