SUCCESS OF SURF LIFESAVING RESUSCITATIONS IN QUEENSLAND, 1973-1992

Objective: To determine the success of resuscitations performed by Que ensland surf lifesavers and the factors associated with successful res uscitation. Design: Retrospective case survey, using data from Surf Li fe Saving Association of Australia resuscitation report forms. Setting : 54 Queensland beaches patrolled by surf lifesavers, and nearby areas , between 1973 and 1992. Outcome measures: Reasons and success rates f or resuscitation, distance from surf clubhouse, whether inside patroll ed area, victim's age, sex, facial colour on presentation, occurrence of vomiting, airway difficulties and involvement of alcohol. Results: 171 resuscitations were reported (80% involving males and 20% females) , with a success rate of 67%. Seventy-two per cent were performed duri ng patrol hours, 17% within patrolled areas (95% successful) and 55% o utside patrolled areas (only 62% successful) (P = 0.004 for difference in success rates); resuscitation success rates fell with increasing d istance from the surf clubhouse (P = 0.009). Reasons for resuscitation were: immersion, 70% (success rate, 68%); collapse, 22% (success rate , 47%); and surf or beach injury, 7% and 1%, respectively (success rat e, 100% for each). Resuscitation was more likely to be successful in t he victim's facial colour on presentation was normal, pale or blue, bu t not if grey, and if the victim did not vomit or regurgitate. Conclus ions: Resuscitation by surf lifesavers was highly successful when the victim was close to the surf patrol, indicating a need for funding to expand patrol areas. Public awareness of the greater safety of ''bathi ng between the flags'' (in the delineated patrol area) should be incre ased.