{"id":10309,"date":"2025-05-16T17:17:39","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T03:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kkcr.org\/onair\/?page_id=10309"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:15:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T23:15:50","slug":"deep-dive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kkcr.org\/onair\/archives\/deep-dive\/","title":{"rendered":"Deep Dive"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Deep Dive into Water Safety<\/h3>\n

Airing every Third Friday 10am-11am.<\/h4>\n

Nationally distributed podcast coming soon! Hear all the episodes right here.<\/p>\n

“Drowning Is Preventable”<\/h3>\n

Responding to the need in the community for more education and information about water safety, this show wants to start the conversation on keeping everyone safe in the water. <\/h4>\n

Presented by Margaret Wright, a board member of the Kaua\u02bbi Lifeguard Association. Engineered by Anni.<\/p>\n

Read the 2025 Hawaii Water Safety Plan.<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch an impactful video<\/a> about water safety, distributed – or should be – on incoming flights to Hawaii.<\/p>\n

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\"\" \"\" \"\"April 4, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Resident not just visitors account for nearly half of ocean drownings in Hawai<\/span>\u02bb<\/span>i, about 49 percent, challenging one of the most common assumptions about who is at risk. Even more sobering: drowning remains the leading cause of death for Hawai<\/span>\u02bb<\/span>i\u2019s children ages 1 to 15. <\/span>Allison Schaefers<\/strong>, a journalist with the <\/span>Honolulu Star-Advertiser<\/span><\/i> and a key member of the Hawai\u02bbi Water Safety Coalition, is helping change that reality. <\/span>Her work sits at the intersection of public awareness, policy, and prevention treating drowning not as an accident, but as a preventable public health issue. But what makes her voice especially powerful is that it is grounded in lived experience. <\/span>At the heart of her story is the loss of her daughter in a 2004 drowning. <\/span>From that unimaginable tragedy came purpose fueling advocacy that contributed to Sharkey\u2019s Law, which will require fencing, signage, and ring buoys at detention ponds beginning in 2027. <\/span>Schaefers<\/strong> has also played a central role in advancing the 2025 Hawai\u02bbi Water Safety Plan, a coordinated effort to reduce drowning statewide. The plan is designed to be accessible written at a sixth grade reading level and built for real-world use by families, schools, and community leaders. <\/span>The data behind the plan is clear: Hawai\u02bbi continues to face high drowning rates, with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities disproportionately impacted. At the same time, research shows that water skill retention among young children especially by second grade is alarmingly low. <\/span>In response, the coalition is moving forward on multiple fronts: county-wide pond safety surveys, community hotspot stewardship, pilot swim programs through the Department of Education, and a new Department of Health campaign supported by the CDC Foundation. <\/span>Looking ahead, working groups are forming, and a statewide coalition conference on May 14 will help align efforts across agencies and communities. <\/span>The conversation also highlighted proven strategies from water competency and loaner life jacket programs to reservoir safety inspections and even tourism-based geofencing while acknowledging critical gaps, including the need for better data on non-fatal drownings. <\/span>The goal is clear: scale what works, share tools and training, and build a coordinated system of prevention across Hawai\u02bbi. <\/span>That work is already gaining recognition. The 2025 Hawai\u02bbi Water Safety Plan has been presented at the Safe Kids Worldwide conference and received national recognition for its approach. <\/span>This is what prevention looks like when policy, community, and lived experience come together.<\/span><\/p>\n\nhttps:\/\/kkcr.org\/archive\/4.4.26%20Deep%20Dive%20Allison%20Schaefers.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD<\/a><\/h5>\n

March 24, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"March 25, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Safety Risks of Full-Face Snorkeling Masks, particularly for Children<\/span><\/p>\n

This interview is based on research presented by Dr. Laura Trapani<\/strong> a pediatrician and clinical researcher affiliated with the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo children\u2019s Hospital and the University of Trieste in Italy. Where her work is helping to reshape how we think about child safety in the water. <\/span>Full-Face Snorkeling Masks Carry a Risk of Hypercapnia and Drowning in Younger Children: A Case Series <\/span><\/i><\/a>2025. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Trapani\u2019s research has gotten the attention of the Italian Ministry who are in the process of developing questions to submit to full face mask manufacturers. She also noted that many physicians across Italy have contacted her to provide data and work on this issue. She said it would be great if countries would support this effort with her. <\/span>The discussion emphasized physiology, real-world case studies, and the need for improved safety standards and public awareness. Key Findings: <\/span><\/p>\n

Primary Risk: Hypercapnia & Hypoxia Full-face snorkel masks can cause carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) buildup and reduced oxygen levels.  Risk is determined by weight and lung capacity, not age \u2022 Children have limited breathing capacity (~7\u201310 ml\/kg) \u2022 Example: o 20 kg child \u2192 ~200 ml air capacity o Mask volume \u2192 ~250 ml or more \u2022 Result: Rebreathing CO\u2082, leading to potential unconsciousness .<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Mechanical & Design Risks \u2022 Masks are complex respiratory devices, not toys \u2022 Multiple valves and chambers can malfunction \u2022 Dead air space can increase up to 1.5 liters if compromised \u2022 External factors (saltwater, sand, heat) can degrade performance. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Silent Drowning \u2022 Victims may not show distress signals \u2022 Gradual slowing, confusion, then unconsciousness \u2022 Applies to both children and adults.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nhttps:\/\/kkcr.org\/archive\/3.24.26%20Laura%20Trapani.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n
      CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD<\/a><\/h5>\n

      \"\"March 24, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \u201cDrowning Isn\u2019t Inevitable It is Preventable.\u201d  – Dr. Colleen Saunders<\/span><\/p>\n

      Dr. Colleen Saunders is a leading researcher in drowning prevention whose work is helping to reshape how we understand water safety on a global scale. <\/span>Her journey into this field didn\u2019t begin in a laboratory it began in the ocean. She spent nearly two decades as a voluntary lifeguard at Big Bay in Cape Town, where lifesaving became part of who she is. What started as a passion and a commitment to protecting others in the water would eventually evolve into a powerful research career. <\/span>After completing her PhD, she found herself searching for direction and began analyzing drowning incidents and media reports for Life Saving South Africa. What she uncovered was striking there was very little research focused on drowning and prevention in South Africa. That realization changed the course of her work. <\/span>Today, Dr. Saunders operates at the intersection of research, policy, and real-world prevention, bringing visibility to one of the most overlooked public health challenges in the world. We start with a conversation from her current paper in the African Journal of Emerging Medicine Leave No One Behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This conversation reinforced the central mission: drowning is not a random accident but a preventable public health issue shaped by systems, access, and equity. A key takeaway for your work in Hawaii is that incomplete data should not delay action; while drowning is under-counted globally (especially non-fatal and flood-related cases), policymakers can still move forward using what is known. The discussion strongly validated your focus on disparities, particularly among Indigenous and under-served populations, highlighting that access to swim education, safe environments, and water familiarity are major drivers of risk. <\/span>On prevention, the most important insight was the concept of layers of protection – supervision alone is not enough. Effective strategies combine barriers (like fences), restricted access, environmental safety, and early water competency. You also explored how drowning risk extends beyond beaches and pools to homes, infrastructure, and flooding, reinforcing your broader messaging approach. Finally, the conversation strengthened your policy angle: drowning has a high economic cost due to its impact on young people, and even small investments in prevention can yield significant returns. The unifying message that emerged, one you\u2019re already championing, is clear: drowning is preventable with the right systems in place.<\/span><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/kkcr.org\/archive\/3.24.26%20Colleen%20Saunders.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

      CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD<\/a><\/h5>\n

      \"\"February 19, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Taishi Otono is a respected leader in ocean safety and lifesaving in Okinawa, Japan, and an emerging international voice in collaborative drowning prevention. Through his work with the Okinawan lifesaving community, Otono has helped strengthen professional guard training, rescue operations, and cross-cultural partnerships aimed at improving coastal safety. <\/span>Okinawa shares many similarities with Hawai\u02bbi\u2014both are island regions with strong ocean cultures, heavy tourism, and complex coastal environments shaped by reef systems, powerful currents, and seasonal weather patterns. Like Hawai\u02bbi, Okinawa faces the dual challenge of protecting residents while also safeguarding visitors who may have limited ocean experience. Otono\u2019s work focuses on practical, field-based solutions that improve real-world outcomes for lifeguards and the public. <\/span>In recent years, Otono has collaborated with ocean safety leaders in Hawai\u02bbi, including partnerships connected with the Hawaii Lifeguard Association and North Shore ocean safety professionals. These exchanges have included joint training sessions, rescue technique discussions, jet ski deployment strategies, and shared analysis of rip-current response models. His involvement reflects a growing recognition that drowning prevention benefits from international cooperation and shared data. <\/span>A key aspect of Otono\u2019s leadership is his emphasis on adaptability. Okinawan beaches, like those in Hawai\u02bbi, range from protected lagoons to high-energy reef breaks. Guard teams must understand localized hazards, communicate clearly with multilingual visitors, and respond quickly to dynamic surf conditions. Otono has been instrumental in refining operational approaches that integrate traditional lifesaving methods with modern rescue equipment and personal watercraft support. <\/span>Beyond operational work, Otono supports public education efforts that improve awareness of rip currents, reef hazards, and safe ocean behavior. By working alongside international experts and local community leaders, he contributes to a broader message: drowning is preventable when science, training, and communication work together. <\/span>His collaboration with Hawai\u02bbi represents more than a professional exchange\u2014it reflects a shared island responsibility. Both Okinawa and Hawai\u02bbi understand that the ocean is central to culture, recreation, and identity. Through ongoing partnership, Taishi Otono is helping build a stronger, more connected global water safety network\u2014one that prioritizes prevention, preparedness, and respect for the sea.<\/span><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/kkcr.org\/archive\/2.19.26%20Taishi%20Otani.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

      CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD<\/a><\/h5>\n

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      \nFebruary 15, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Professor Rob Brander is an internationally recognized coastal geomorphologist and one of the world\u2019s leading experts on rip currents and beach safety. His research has played a major role in reshaping scientific understanding of rip current behavior and how people respond when caught in them. <\/span>Professor Brander is based at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, where he serves in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences. He holds undergraduate and master\u2019s degrees from the University of Toronto and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sydney. <\/span>Key Contributions to Rip Current Science:<\/span><\/p>\n