Table 1.

Example of Haddon Matrix for a Toddler Drowning in a Pool

Phase	Pre-event	Event	Postevent
Host (victim)	Lack of knowledge and comprehension regarding dangerous environment	Physical and structural characteristics of patients immature muscle coordination, limited muscle strength, and inability to surface and climb out of pool	Results of drowning on host (body injury): aspiration, hypoxia, and suffocation
Agent (vector)	Condition of vector and vehicle: pool filled with water (deep); no shallow area; pool not cleaned (particulate debris aspirated)	Design and structure of agent: floating devices in pool (to grab on to)	Results of fall into pool: traumatic injuries from fall into pool (fractures, head injury, and bleeding)
Environment: Physical (injury scene)	Hazards present: wet, slippery on edge of pool; no pool fencing; if fence, no lock on gate	Environmental designs: no shallow end, no stairs, no side rails to grab on to (pool visibility near housemotel lobby-walkway)	Method (means of response): 911, lights, visibility (so victim can be seen and possibly rescued)
Environment: Socioeconomic or sociocultural	Programs, legislative: restrictions on hours of use, locked gates	Socioeconomic effect on physical: lifeguards	Response systems: EMS, trauma systems, ED care, rehabilitation

Note. Cells represent example influences but are not intended to be comprehensive. EMS = emergency medical services; ED = emergency department. From “Injury Prevention and Control in Children,” by S. E. Mace, M. J. Gerardi, A. M. Dietrich, S. R. Knazik, D. Mulligan-Smith, R. L. Sweeney, & C. R. Warden, 2001, Annals of Emergency Medicine, 38, p. 407. Copyright 2001 by Elsevier/American College of Emergency Physicians. Adapted with permission. The original article is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196064401291562.