Revised Handbook on Drowning

Revised Handbook on Drowning is under construction:

World-wide at least half a million people die from drowning each year. To reduce this number a World Congress on Drowning was organized in Amsterdam in 2002 to improve prevention, rescue and treatment. As a result of the interactive agenda of the congress, it was possible to condensate all information in the Handbook on Drowning that was published in 2006. In the Handbook, 180 experts from around the world, ranging from rescuers to clinicians and researchers, shared their knowledge and expertise to focus on the major areas of need and strategies for success. Some parts of the book can be downloaded from googlebooks.

Since then, many new initiatives have been taken by established and new experts. Relevant information has become available on the effectiveness of prevention strategies, rescue techniques and treatment options. Epidemiological data have become more robust. Water related disasters (floods, shipwrecks, boat refugees) have caused ten-thousands of drowning deaths. Search strategies of dead bodies and post-mortem investigations have improved. Most of all, there has become more convergence between the opinion-leaders and stakeholders.

The Maatschappij tot Redding van Drenkelingen (Society to prevent people from drowning, established in 1767), who took the initiative for the congress and the handbook, has therefore decided that a complete revised version should become available by the beginning of 2012. The revised book will include a treasure of new information on recent developments.

The Revised Handbook on Drowning overviews current research and consensus opinions on all aspects of drowning. At the same time, the book is an effective tool for networking and will facilitate and stimulate international and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Revised Handbook on Drowning is of unique value for professional and volunteer life guards, search and rescue personel, firefighters, the martime community and medical professionals. Most of all for those with strategic, operational, organisational or educational responsibilites in the prevention, rescue and treatment of drowning.

The book will be published by Springer verlag in 2012

Academics, researchers and persons with specific expertise and considering to have an added value to the current list of chapters and experts, are invited to contact the editorial assistant, Michael van den Bent, at Handbookondrowning@npz-nrz.