Drowning (cont.)
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
In this Article
- What is drowning?
- What happens during drowning?
- What are the complications of drowning?
- Does the type of drowning matter?
- What are the risk factors of drowning?
- What are the symptoms of drowning?
- When should one seek medical care for drowning?
- How is drowning diagnosed?
- How is drowning treated?
- How can drowning be prevented?
- What is the prognosis for a drowning victim?
How is drowning treated?
Treatment begins at the water's edge. The American Heart Association recommends that if possible, one person is sent to activate Emergency Medical Services and call 911. Another should be sent for an automatic external defibrillator (AED).
If no pulse can be identified and the patient is not breathing, CPR should be started. If there is a potential for a neck injury, special care needs to be taken to prevent further injury to the victim.
If the patient is breathing but not awake, they should be placed on their side in the rescue position to prevent aspiration if vomiting should occur.
- Further treatment by EMTs, paramedics, and staff at the hospital will depend
upon the severity of the symptoms. Those patients who have no symptoms may
require nothing more than observation.
- Those who are in cardiopulmonary arrest will likely undergo CPR with attempts
to restore a regular heart rhythm and heart beat.
- Those patients who have symptoms related to the function of their heart,
lung, or brain will need further evaluation and treatment tailored to their
specific circumstances and situation.
- And unfortunately, for those who are found dead, no further treatment or evaluation may be indicated.
How can drowning be prevented?
Most drownings are preventable, and simple steps can be taken to help with water safety.
- Learn how to swim.
- When in the water, use the buddy system.
- Do not use alcohol or drugs when swimming or boating.
- Supervise children closely around water and make certain they are the focus
of your attention. Even bathtubs and buckets full of water can be dangerous.
- Swimming pools should have barriers (fences, gates, alarms) to prevent
children from entering unattended.
- Learn CPR.
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