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.

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“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.

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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**

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