Drowning Risk Analysis Comparing Surf Bather Subgroups
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This is an interesting article that reports an original and novel investigation. The methodology is very complete and somewhat complex, but it is well founded and explained. I find that it can improve in aspects more in form than in content. 1) Figure 2 is blurred, you need to improve its quality 2) Table 6 summarizes results and as such should be moved to the results section, independent of which can be commented in greater depth in the discussion. 3) Finally, in conclusions a profile of the highest risk individual (male <30 years old and surfer) could be presented in adition to other factors of interest for risk (alcohol consumption, experience, other)
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Dear Reviewer 1,
Thank you for your valuable comments. We have responded to your following suggestions and highlighted in yellow additions to the paper:
- Figure 2 is blurred, you need to improve its quality
Figure 2 has been revised and is now more clear.
- Table 6 summarizes results and as such should be moved to the results section, independent of which can be commented in greater depth in the discussion.
The table has been moved to results (new section 3.4) with a paragraph added as introduction. This was a very good suggestion; the paper works better now.
- Finally, in conclusions a profile of the highest risk individual (male <30 years old and surfer) could be presented in addition to other factors of interest for risk (alcohol consumption, experience, other)
A new paragraph has been added (section 4.1) discussing the relative risks and water-exposure listed in Table 3 with reference to the risk factors analysed. This change also improves the paper.
Reviewer 2 Report
The study represents a high level of originality in estimating the drowning risk factors on surf beaches and is a new approach to the drowning dilemma. The application of a mathematical to analyse the complex nature of the study does provide a strong objective approach.
Is the surf experience causal risk contributor an accurate description?, as experience doesn't necessarily link to ability or capability and the use of wave height alone seems to negate the impact of wave frequency as a factor that may have a correlation on the time in the water. It would be interesting to know more about this process.
The presentation has been thoroughly explained and can be replicated by other researchers and the mathematical approach presents a strong scientific foundation to the research.
The potential application in the other high number drownings at inland waterways will generate some interest which would require some consideration of the causal risk contributors.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer 2,
Thank you for your valuable comments. We have responded to the following suggestions and highlighted in yellow additions to the paper:
- Is the surf experience causal risk contributor an accurate description?, as experience doesn't necessarily link to ability or capability and the use of wave height alone seems to negate the impact of wave frequency as a factor that may have a correlation on the time in the water. It would be interesting to know more about this process.
This is an excellent suggestion. A new paragraph has been added (section 8.6.2) on underlying risk contributors subsumed by wave size (wave type; frequency) or surf bather experience (decision-making).
The potential application in the other high number drownings at inland waterways will generate some interest which would require some consideration of the causal risk contributors.
Thank you for this suggestion. The application of the method to inland waterways had been noted in the final sentence of the paper.
