DROWNING PREVENTION

In the civilian and military environment, one of the most important principles in drowning management is to first prevent drowning. Examples of prevention and operational risk management in high-risk military occupations include:

- Sailors assigned to naval vessel are indoctrinated in the principles of universal damage control, which among other tenets includes techniques to control (e.g., shoring materials, secure hatches) or remove flooding water (e.g., pumps) when the hull is breeched. Hull integrity is typically controlled with shoring materials such as mattresses, pillows, canvas materials, hydraulic jacks and wooden wedges, beams, plugs or blocks.
- Amphibious operations are a particularly high-risk activity as evidenced by a recent 2020 amphibious assault vehicle tragedy during a training event. Of issues that led to the nine drowning deaths, failure to apply appropriate operational safety protocols contributed, highlighting the importance of prevention.8 With this risk, all personnel assigned to these platforms are required to complete both intermediate level swim qualifications and submersible vehicle egress training. All personnel have received some degree of Tactical Combat Casualty Care training in order to provide buddy aid in the event of an emergency. Training evolutions require the presence of Marine Corps Instructors of Water Survival who are trained for in-water rescue.
- Implementation of risk management measures during dive and other high-risk water operational and training evolutions is critical in prevention of drowning. These measures include pre-evolution safety briefs, trained standby and safety divers, swim buddies, on scene medical providers, water rescue crafts on site, wearing personal flotation devices, drilling man-overboard procedures, and use of light sticks for night training.
- Careful consideration must be given to the potential risks of conducting open sea operations in extreme environmental conditions such as rough sea state or heavy swell. In these extreme conditions, operations or training should be altered (when possible) to mitigate the risk of drowning and other mishaps.
- Divers should undergo thorough review of dive plan prior to scheduled dives to include anticipated depth/time profile ensuring adequate air supply in addition to routine pre-dive equipment safety checks.