Can You Float? Part I - Perceptions and Practice of Unsupported Flotation Competency among Young Adults

Abstract

The capacity to maintain the airway through buoyancy control when immersed in water is critical in preventing drowning (Stallman, Moran, Quan & Langendorfer, 2017). In this first phase of the Can you Float? study, perceived and real unsupported flotation competency of a group of students (n=37) with known water proficiency was examined. Using a modified version of Borgs Rating of Perceived exertion (RPE), participants were asked to estimate exertion levels before and after a practical test of five stationary floating tasks of increasing difficulty ranging from treading water to motionless floating. Most participants (82%) were able to tread water for 2 minutes but only one third (31%) could perform a motionless float for the same duration. In all tasks students underestimated the level of exertion required. Reasons for, and implications of, this underestimation are discussed and recommendations for the teaching of unsupported flotation competency in water safety programs are made.

Can You Float? Part 2 - Perceptions and Practice of Lifejacket Use Among Young Adults

“…First, the study sought to determine the nature of young adults' competency, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior around lifejacket use as well as explore the relationship between real and perceived assisted floating competency when using lifejackets. As was the case in the first phase of the study (Moran 2018), fewer students had been taught flotation (via lifejacket use) than had been taught swimming (taught lifejacket competency 53%, taught swimming competency 65%), although most (90%) reported having used them in aquatic activity and most (63%) were comfortable about using them in open water.…”

“…As was the case in the first phase of the study (Moran, 2018), students completed a questionnaire relating to their understanding and experience of lifejacket use prior to the pool-based activities. It also asked them to rate the level of exertion required to complete a range of water activities when wearing a lifejacket.…”

“…Protocols developed in the initial phase of the Can You Float? study for the measurement of swimming and floating competencies previously reported (Moran, 2018) were again followed. Prior to entering the deep end of the pool (2m) via a compact jump, participants were instructed on how to correctly select and put on a lifejacket.…”

“…They were the same students who took part in the first phase of the Can You Float? study (Moran, 2018) with one additional late enrollee. Three participants did not complete part of the practical activity and were withdrawn from the final analysis (N = 40).…”

“…Finally, participants were also asked to estimate their predicted exertion rating prior to completing the six practical activities when wearing a lifejacket using the same modified version of Borg's Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) that was developed for previous water safety studies on clothing (Moran 2014a(Moran , 2015 and in the first phase of the current Can You Float? study that focused on unassisted flotation competency (Moran 2018). The 15-point scale, where a low score indicates minimal exertion, was chosen because of its suitability for simple applied studies (Borg, 1982(Borg, , 1998) such as the current study of perceived and real effort required in simulated drowning survival activities.…”