Clinical trial NCT06320197: In Situ Simulation Training in Lifeguard Organisations
Official title: In Situ Simulation Training in Lifeguard Organisations: a Danish Retrospective Study From 2018-2023
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Drowning
Drowning, Near
Drowning and Nonfatal Submersion
Drowning/Submersion
Drowning and Submersion While in Natural Water
Keywords: In situ simulation
Simulation
Drowning
Lifeguard
Lifesaver
Lead sponsor: Prehospital Center, Region Zealand
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-03-20
Enrollment: 768
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Observational model: COHORT
Time perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: The participants from this study are all trained in the nationwide Danish lifeguard organisation according to the International Life Saving Federations standards.

Brief summary: This retrospective study will analyse a dataset consisting of 919 in situ simulation assessments collected between 2018 and 2023 in a Danish nationwide surf lifeguard organisation. The primary objective is to estimate the pass/fail ratio of in situ simulation assessments. The secondary objective is to analyse risk factors associated with a failed assessment. These results may guide future efforts to improve the Danish surf lifeguard training program.

Detailed description: Background: Once weekly on all lifeguard-supervised beaches during the summer holiday period, a lifeguard instructor sneaks undetected into the primary surveillance zone between the flags and raises a hand to indicate a drowning scenario. This is called in situ simulation and is used to assess Danish surf lifeguards' rescue and medical skills. It is an unannounced test occurring during working hours, followed by feedback and training with the lifeguard instructors. Previous data indicate that approximately 1 in 5 lifeguards fail the in situ assessment. Analysing data from in situ simulation assessments may pinpoint areas for future improvement.

Objectives: The primary objective is to estimate the pass/fail ratio of in situ simulation assessments. The secondary objective is to analyse risk factors associated with a failed assessment. These results may guide future efforts to improve the Danish surf lifeguard training program.

Methods: This retrospective study will analyse a dataset consisting of 919 in situ simulation assessments collected between 2018 and 2023 in a Danish nationwide surf lifeguard organisation. Data on the local conditions (e.g., wave height, time of the day, and the number of beach visitors) and the in situ evaluation (pass/fail) were extracted directly from the predefined variables. Data on failure reasons were extracted through manual validation of the semi-structured free text fields by four independent observers. Any discrepancies were resolved by a senior member of the research group.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* All in situ assessments in the nationwide Danish lifeguard organisation from 2018 to 2023.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Blank entries
* Dublets

Primary outcomes:
measure: Pass/fail ratio of in situ simulation assessments
timeFrame: All in situ assessments from 2018-2023 will be included in this analysis.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Risk factors associated with a failed assessment
timeFrame: All in situ assessments from 2018-2023 will be included in this analysis.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Næstved
country: Denmark
facility: Prehospital Center
state: Region Zealand
Study officials:
affiliation: Prehospital Center, Region Zealand
name: Helle C Christensen, Ass. Prof.
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: