Drowning (Near-Drowning; Submersion Incident)

What is drowning?

Drowning occurs, when the normal exchange of air in the lungs is prevented. This can occur, when the human nose and mouth under the surface of the liquid, or when a person's face included in the liquid contact.

Causes Drowning

Drowning occurs because of breathing problems, related to exposure to liquids, e.g. water, lung. Getting into the water, man for a while can hold your breath, but the duration of the dive due to lack of oxygen the body makes swallowing and fluid gets into the lungs, disrupting the normal gas exchange.

Risk factors for drowning

Factors, which can increase the risk of drowning include:

• Acceptance of drugs or alcohol prior to the incident;
• Failure to swim in the water or getting injured;
• Games on the water;
• Negligent behavior when you stay on the water;
• Convulsions, fainting, aggravation of heart disease or hypoglycemia when placed in water.

Drowning victims are most often children. Factors increase the risk of drowning child:

• Inability to swim;
• Ignoring the rules of behavior on the water, even at home;
• Among children under the age of one year, the most common risk factor for drowning is being in the water (even in the bathroom) unattended, even for a few minutes.

Symptoms of drowning

• Slackness;
• Unconsciousness;
• Inability to breathe;
• Suffocation;
• Vomiting;
• Coughing or wheezing;
• Blue skin due to lack of oxygen.

Some people have trouble breathing may occur only a few hours after drowning.

Diagnosis drowning

The doctor can diagnose injury, associated with drowning based on the fact of stay under water and the symptoms of the affected. The doctor will conduct a physical examination.

The doctor may need pictures of inside the body. For their implementation may be assigned:

• Roentgen;
• CT and MRI.

You may also need information about the level of oxygen in the body. For this purpose:

• Blood tests;
• Oksigemometriâ.

Drowning Treatment

Treatment will depend on the, how much damage inflicted to the body by drowning. Treatment includes drowning:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (SLR)

SLR is executed, to ensure the supply of oxygen to the vital organs of the body. It can include artificial breathing or chest compressions. If the person is unconscious or drowning occurred in the result of a failed dive, neohodimo support the head and neck,to prevent spinal injuries.

Heat treatment – warming

The procedure is performed, if the body temperature dropped as a result of finding drowning in cold water. Warming to be performed slowly, to avoid further damage to the body.

Tracheal intubation

Ventilator airway placed in tube, which allows to increase the flow of air into the lungs.

Levin tube

Narrow, flexible, plastic tube inserted through the nose into the stomach, for pumping water hit him.

Prevention of drowning

To reduce the risk of drowning yourself and others, proceed as follows:

• Never leave children alone near any body of water, whether it is pool, Bath or natural body of water. Drowning can occur in a matter of seconds;
• Teach your child to swim. Remember, that even if the child is able to swim, It is still a danger of drowning and for him to be supervised;
• If you have a pool at home, it must be enclosed. All gates or doors, leading from the house to the pool should be self-closing, with automatic latching, without the possibility of opening their babies and young children;
• Remove any obstacles, to fully see the swimming pool near the house;
• The particles of the body and hair can clog the drain in the pool. Rest assured, that the discharge of water from the swimming pool is operating normally;
• When swimming in open water, choose a location, where there is a lifeguard nearby;
• Always wear life jackets when riding on a boat, catamaran or board;
• There is a risk of drowning in the winter. Warn children and others about the dangers of walking or skating on thin ice;
• Do not allow children to swim alone and at a distance further arm.