Citation

Koussounis A, Poulakou-Rebelakou E, Matsoukis I, Tsiamis C, Petridou E. Int. Marit. Health 2013; 64(1): 7-11.

Affiliation

(efpoulrebel@yahoo.gr).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, International Maritime Health Association, Publisher Via Medica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23788159

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To present literal texts of two native writers about drowning during childhood, along with a successful simple preventive measure implemented by the community of a small Greek island. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of the older Greek literal production as well as of the contemporary literature on childhood drowning and related preventive measures. RESULTS: Alexander Papadiamandis (1851-1911) from the island of Skiathos is a writer, who described,with intellectual language, the microcosm of his place of birth, which he always remembered with nostalgia. Alexander Moraitidis (1850-1929), his cousin, also from the same island, used a different style to describe life events in the small society. Both refer to tragic intentional and unintentional drowning events in wells and the sea, which took place in their times or before and survived as local legends in their narrations. Both describe effective initiatives undertaken by families themselves to prevent childhood drowning by hiring, during the summer months, a guardian with a specific duty to closely supervise the children and enforce guidelines for swimming in the sea. Papadiamantis goes one step further to describe the dismal consequences when the rules were not respected. CONCLUSIONS: The literal testimonies of two Greek islander writers present the range of childhood drowning occurring on the island and a primitive yet effective community initiative for accident and drowning prevention pertaining to better supervision by an ad hoc employed guardian; this sets the example of the social responsibility ethos on the part of local communities to safeguard children from drowning that could serve as a good practice even in modern times.

Language: en