Deep Dive Into Water Safety

Kauaʻi Community Radio - KKCR
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Deep Dive Into Water Safety is a podcast dedicated to to one powerful truth: Drowning is preventable. Hosted by Kauaʻi waterperson Margaret Wright, the show features conversations with experts and community leaders from around the world who are working to save lives in and around the water. Together, we explore practical strategies to prevent drownings, educate swimmers, keiki, and parents, and create clear, culturally grounded messaging that makes a difference. Deep Dive is guided by Hawaiʻiʻs first statewide Water Safety Plan, a plan built on the realities that Hawaiʻi has the second highest drowning rate in the United States and that we can do better. Deep Dive Into Water Safety is produced on Kauaʻi by Kauaʻi Community Radio - KKCR, Kauaʻiʻs independent, non-commercial, listener-supported community radio station. kkcr.org.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Deep Dive: An Interview with Ralph Goto

    Episode Notes April 26, 2026 From Rescue to Prevention: Ralph Goto on Snorkeling Safety in HawaiʻiUnderstanding the risks behind snorkeling incidents and the future of ocean safety through research, education, and lifeguard leadership This episode explores the evolution of lifeguarding in Hawaiʻi and takes a deep dive into the growing concerns around snorkeling safety. Veteran ocean safety leader Ralph Goto former Chief of the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Division, longtime lifeguard, and one of the key architects of Hawaiʻi’s modern ocean safety system shares how lifeguarding has transformed from informal “beach boy” roots into a professional, prevention-focused first responder model. His career spans frontline rescue work, department leadership, national recognition, and ongoing involvement in the Hawaiʻi Snorkel Safety Study, giving him a uniquely comprehensive perspective on both operations and prevention. The conversation centers on snorkeling, now identified as one of the leading activities associated with rescues and fatalities among visitors. The Hawaiʻi Snorkel Safety Study is discussed in depth, examining possible contributing factors such as traveler fatigue, underlying cardiac or pulmonary conditions, equipment resistance, and emerging concerns like rapid onset pulmonary edema (ROPE). While investigations have included medical examiner reviews and equipment testing including analysis of over 100 snorkels the findings remain largely descriptive and inconclusive, highlighting the need for more rigorous, data-driven research. The episode also addresses concerns about full-face snorkel masks, emphasizing the need for standards, proper fit, and clearer labeling. The discussion calls for shared responsibility across lifeguards, EMTs, fire responders, and the visitor industry, along with stronger collaboration to improve both prevention and response. Proposed next steps include controlled studies, pilot programs at high-risk locations, and improved incident tracking through systems like Watchtower. Beyond research, the episode highlights the importance of prevention through education and community action. Programs led by Duane DeSoto at Nakamakai and others are helping fill gaps where statewide systems have been slow to act. International research, including work by Mike Tipton, supports the growing push to bring water safety education into schools and everyday decision-making for both residents and visitors. The episode closes with a clear message: drowning prevention in Hawaiʻi and globally requires a coordinated, systems-based approach that combines professional lifeguard services, better data, stronger education, and practical, on-the-ground messaging. For visitors, the guidance is simple but critical: choose guarded beaches, ask questions, and respect the ocean.** Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    48 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    Deep Dive: An Interview with Mark Haimona

    Episode Notes May 5, 2026 Kia Maanu, Kia Ora! Stay Afloat, Stay Alive ! Mark Haimona is a leading Māori water safety educator and researcher from Aotearoa New Zealand whose work has helped reshape Indigenous drowning-prevention strategies through culturally grounded education and community engagement. His career has focused on moving beyond traditional Western lifeguarding models toward approaches that connect directly with communities, culture, and environment. His work has had strong influence internationally, including in Hawaiʻi, where Native Hawaiian watermen, researchers, and educators have looked to Māori-led models for guidance in developing culturally relevant prevention strategies. Mark’s philosophy and outreach methods helped influence the thinking of Hawaiʻi water safety advocates, including work connected to John “Kalei” Clark and broader Native Hawaiian waterman traditions that emphasize environmental knowledge, ocean awareness, and intergenerational teaching. A central theme of the discussion was that effective drowning prevention must be culturally grounded. Mark emphasized that Westernized, one-size-fits-all approaches often fail to reach Indigenous communities. Instead, successful strategies are developed “by the people, for the people.” Face-to-face engagement kanohi ki te kanohi was highlighted as essential for building trust and delivering meaningful education. Communities respond more strongly when they understand who is delivering the message and the cultural connection behind it. The discussion closely paralleled Native Hawaiian ocean knowledge traditions practiced by generations of Hawaiʻi watermen, where reading currents, weather, waves, reefs, and ocean conditions is considered just as important as swimming ability itself. A key message was that many drownings occur not because people cannot swim, but because they lack awareness, preparation, or connection to the environment around them. Strong parallels were identified between Māori communities and Native Hawaiian communities, particularly in the areas of ocean knowledge, intergenerational teaching, and culturally rooted water safety practices. These lessons can be reinforced in the Hawaiʻi’s 2025 Water Safety Plan and the need to prioritize youth-focused education and community-driven prevention efforts. The conversation reinforced that drowning prevention should be approached as a public health issue requiring collaboration, cultural respect, and continued international exchange between Aotearoa New Zealand and Hawaiʻi. ** Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    1hr 25min

  3. 1 MAY

    Deep Dive: An Interview with Dr Morgan and Adrian Mayhew

    Episode Notes Standardization of Practice and Lifeguards should be First Responders and Families should know Pushy Pushy Blowy Blowy Sparky Sparky In this episode, internationally recognized experts Dr. Patrick Morgan Medical Director to His Majesty’s Coastguard. He has been a key contributor to advancing standardized drowning definitions and reporting frameworks, helping align global data and improve prevention strategies. His work spans the full continuum of drowning from prevention and rescue to resuscitation and post-incident care emphasizing a systems-based, data-driven approach. Adrian Mayhew of Surf Life Saving Great Britain brings decades of leadership in emergency response, lifeguard operations, and drowning prevention to the conversation. Together, they outline a systems-based approach that connects prevention, rescue, resuscitation, and post-incident care. He has extensive experience in lifeguard training, operational response, and national program development, helping shape how surf lifesaving is delivered across the UK. His work bridges frontline lifesaving with broader public safety strategy. They discuss the importance of standardizing drowning definitions, using data to better target risk, and aligning global response frameworks. A major highlight is the United Kingdom’s move to embed water safety education into the national school curriculum by 2026, ensuring children develop practical skills and awareness early in life. The episode reinforces the need to recognize ocean lifeguards as first responders, while also expanding capacity through trained community members and coordinated systems. With drowning costing an estimated £450 million annually in the UK, the discussion underscores that prevention is both a public health and economic priority. At its core, the conversation brings complex systems back to simple, lifesaving action reminding families and communities that in an emergency, knowing “Pushy Pushy, Blowy Blowy, Sparky Sparky” CPR and AED use can make the difference between life and death. ** Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    1hr 33min

  4. 28 APR

    Deep Dive: A Recap and Interview with Mayor Derek SK Kawakami

    Episode Notes 4.17.26 For the live show, Margaret catches up with outgoing Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, an avid waterman and surfer, on the collaborations and progress that the Kauaʻi Lifeguard Association has made in the past year. Says Kawakami about the visit that the Okinawan Lifeguards made to Kauaʻi: “The exchange of lifesaving knowledge and culture strengthens our ability to protect everyone enjoying Kaua‘i’s waters. Programs like this build international friendships and make our ocean safety efforts even more effective.” Mayor Kawakami was our first interview for Deep Dive, so to have him back on the show reinforcing messaging as the key to water safety was an honor. Margaret and Anni also chatted about some of the notable interviews in the last year and a bit about what to expect in the year to come. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    54 min

  5. 15 APR

    Deep Dive: An Interview with Allison Schaefers

    Episode Notes Resident not just visitors account for nearly half of ocean drownings in Hawaiʻi, 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 Hawaiʻi’s children ages 1 to 15. Allison Schaefers, a journalist with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and a key member of the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition, is helping change that reality. 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. At the heart of her story is the loss of her daughter in a 2004 drowning. From that unimaginable tragedy came purpose fueling advocacy that contributed to Sharkey’s Law, which will require fencing, signage, and ring buoys at detention ponds beginning in 2027. Schaefers has also played a central role in advancing the 2025 Hawaiʻi 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. The data behind the plan is clear: Hawaiʻi 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. 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. Looking ahead, working groups are forming, and a statewide coalition conference on May 14 will help align efforts across agencies and communities. 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. The goal is clear: scale what works, share tools and training, and build a coordinated system of prevention across Hawaiʻi. That work is already gaining recognition. The 2025 Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan has been presented at the Safe Kids Worldwide conference and received national recognition for its approach. This is what prevention looks like when policy, community, and lived experience come together. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    1hr 5min

  6. 1 APR

    Deep Dive: An Interview with Dr Laura Trapani

    Episode Notes Dr Laura Trapani The Safety Risks of Full-Face Snorkeling Masks, particularly for Children This interview is based on research presented by Dr. Laura Trapani a pediatrician and clinical researcher affiliated with the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo children’s Hospital and the University of Trieste in Italy. Where her work is helping to reshape how we think about child safety in the water. Full-Face Snorkeling Masks Carry a Risk of Hypercapnia and Drowning in Younger Children: A Case Series 2025. Dr. Trapani’s 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. The discussion emphasized physiology, real-world case studies, and the need for improved safety standards and public awareness. Key Findings:  1. Primary Risk: Hypercapnia & Hypoxia Full-face snorkel masks can cause carbon dioxide (CO₂) buildup and reduced oxygen levels.   Risk is determined by weight and lung capacity, not age • Children have limited breathing capacity (~7–10 ml/kg) • Example: o 20 kg child → ~200 ml air capacity o Mask volume → ~250 ml or more • Result: Rebreathing CO₂, leading to potential unconsciousness . 2. Mechanical & Design Risks • Masks are complex respiratory devices, not toys • Multiple valves and chambers can malfunction • Dead air space can increase up to 1.5 liters if compromised • External factors (saltwater, sand, heat) can degrade performance.  3. Silent Drowning • Victims may not show distress signals • Gradual slowing, confusion, then unconsciousness • Applies to both children and adults. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    42 min

  7. 27 MAR

    Deep Dive: An Interview with Colleen Saunders

    Episode Notes “Drowning Isn’t Inevitable It is Preventable.”  - Dr. Colleen Saunders 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. Her journey into this field didn’t 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. 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. 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 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 undercounted 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 underserved populations, highlighting that access to swim education, safe environments, and water familiarity are major drivers of risk. 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’re already championing, is clear: drowning is preventable with the right systems in place. Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    1hr 20min

  8. 13 MAR

    Deep Dive: An Interview with Rob Brander

    Episode Notes 2.15.26 Professor Rob Brander is an internationally recognized coastal geomorphologist and one of the world’s 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. 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’s degrees from the University of Toronto and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sydney. Key Contributions to Rip Current Science: • Conducted pioneering field research on rip current dynamics and beach morphology. • Led groundbreaking studies examining swimmer behavior in rip currents, including interviews with survivors and GPS tracking of swimmers in controlled conditions. • Helped challenge outdated safety advice by demonstrating that panic and fighting the current increases risk, while floating, conserving energy, and signaling for help often improves survival. • Collaborated internationally with scientists such as Dr. Jamie H. MacMahan to link physical oceanography with real-world safety outcomes. Resources  UNSW Beach Safety Research Group www.beachsafetyresearch.com Personal website www.scienceofthesurf.com Dr. Rip’s Essential Beach Book International Edition https://cup.columbia.edu/book/dr-rips-essential-beach-book/9780231217408** Support Deep Dive Into Water Safety by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/deep-dive-into-water-safety

    1hr 4min
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About

Deep Dive Into Water Safety is a podcast dedicated to to one powerful truth: Drowning is preventable. Hosted by Kauaʻi waterperson Margaret Wright, the show features conversations with experts and community leaders from around the world who are working to save lives in and around the water. Together, we explore practical strategies to prevent drownings, educate swimmers, keiki, and parents, and create clear, culturally grounded messaging that makes a difference. Deep Dive is guided by Hawaiʻiʻs first statewide Water Safety Plan, a plan built on the realities that Hawaiʻi has the second highest drowning rate in the United States and that we can do better. Deep Dive Into Water Safety is produced on Kauaʻi by Kauaʻi Community Radio - KKCR, Kauaʻiʻs independent, non-commercial, listener-supported community radio station. kkcr.org.

Information

  • Creator
    Kauaʻi Community Radio - KKCR
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    Deep Dive Into Water Safety