Developing an Utstein-style Danish Drowning Registry: Nationwide Fatal and Nonfatal Drowning Data Since 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish recommendations towards specific educational, preventative, rescue, or treatment strategies to reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents in Denmark (e.g., campaigns targeting high-risk groups, or fencing, allocating rescue equipment, or establishing lifeguard stations in high-risk areas).

Objectives

The primary objective is to estimate 30-day mortality of drowning incidents in Denmark treated by the Emergency Medical Services from 2016. The secondary objective is to explore risk factors associated with 30-day mortality.

Study design

A nationwide registry-based study linking data from the Danish Prehospital Drowning Data with data from the inhospital electronic medical records. from 2016 and follow-up on mortality 30 days after the drowning incident. Neurological outcomes will be assessed by trained observers through the inhospital electronic medical records.

Inclusion criteria

• Drowning
• Being registered in the Danish Prehospital Drowning Data with a valid civil registration number to allow for linkage with the inhospital electronic medical records

Exclusion criteria

• Obvious signs of irreversible death (decapitation, decomposition, post-mortem lividity, post-mortem rigidity).
• Declared dead on scene.
• A valid Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitation order or other code status orders limiting life-sustaining therapies.
• An invalid civil registration number.