Float First: An Index of Floating
Research type
Research Study
Full title
'Float first': Categorising factors effecting floating in different populations during water immersion. An observational, cross-sectional design study with the aim of producing a ‘Floatability score’ to supplement current public information.
IRAS ID
258766
Contact name
Heather Massey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Portsmouth
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Between 2000 and 2013 an average of 425 people drowned per annum, and a reported 100,000 people were involved in water-related emergencies involving search and rescue services. Approximately half had not intended to go into the water. Research identifies that in the first 1-3 minutes of immersion, during the “cold shock response” (CSR), there may be an increased probability of drowning fatalities. As a result of this, a theme of ‘Float First’ was created whereby individuals are advised to float for 1-3 minutes following immersion (by undertaking the minimum amount of activity possible to maximise the amount of air trapped in clothing layers and hence additional buoyancy) until the effects of the CSR have declined. The study will be conducted at The University of Portsmouth and adults who are comfortable in water are asked to volunteer. The study involves measurements of body composition using a DEXA scanner, lung function, buoyancy and floating technique. An understanding of the effects of physiological and anthropometric measures on an individual’s ability to float may lead to the creation of a ‘Floatability Score’ to aid current public information. With this floatability score a set of actions that people of certain body types should adopt in water will be created, to tailor the current public safety messaging in an attempt to reduce the number of preventable drowning fatalities.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1226
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion