Introduction: Every year, many people die from drowning worldwide, including in Slovenia. In the event of a drowning risk, assistance should be provided only if it does not endanger the rescuer’s own safety; otherwise, the appropriate emergency services should be called. Since professional rescuers are not always present, bystanders often play an important role in water rescues, although this may expose them to danger. Therefore, knowledge of the basic principles of safe water rescue is crucial for the general public. Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to assess the level of knowledge among laypeople regarding the basic procedures of water rescue and first aid for drowning victims, as well as to identify possible knowledge gaps and the influence of demographic factors on this knowledge. Methods: Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire that covered basic concepts of water rescue, recognition of dangerous situations, the implementation of rescue techniques, and providing first aid to drowning victims. The questionnaire was created using the open-source application 1KA, which enables online survey services. It contained 15 closed-ended questions. Results: The results show that the majority of laypeople are aware of the importance of calling the emergency number 112 in the event of drowning. In most questions, more than 90% of respondents selected this action. In the case of a rescue from a fast-flowing river, 93% of participants indicated that they would first call 112, while 85% stated they would provide assistance from a safe distance. Nevertheless, significant knowledge gaps appear in questions requiring specific first aid procedures. Regarding the ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths during resuscitation of a drowning victim, as many as 45% of respondents reported that they did not know the correct procedure. Discussion and Conclusion: Laypeople’s knowledge is mainly based on general principles of safe behavior in water-related accidents. They emphasize the importance of personal safety and the rapid activation of emergency services. However, knowledge of specific procedures—such as initial rescue breaths and the correct sequence of resuscitation for drowning victims—is insufficient. The study confirms the need for training laypeople in water rescue and first aid for drowning victims. It would be useful to further investigate why the practice of providing initial rescue breaths is poorly known. Greater emphasis should be placed on practical training and the specific aspects of resuscitation in drowning cases, which could improve safety and reduce the risk of incorrect actions.
|
