Measuring the Swimming Skills of Adults Attending Swimming Lessons in Australia as a Drowning Prevention Measure.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Swimming and water safety skills are essential for reducing drowning. Swimming and water safety programs primarily focus on children, despite adults accounting for over 80% of fatal drowning in Australia. This study aims to identify types of adult swimming programs in Australia, who attends these programs, and measure their swimming skill achievement against national benchmarks.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study of adults attending swimming programs between 2018 and 2021 was conducted. Participant assessment records were analysed against the [Australian] National Swimming and Water Safety Framework and national benchmarks to be achieved by 6 and 12 years old. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis were undertaken.

Results

Of 4914 adult

SUBMITTER: Willcox-Pidgeon S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11800059 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature