Drowning Definition Symptoms Complication Prevention And First Aid

Definition:

 According to the World Health Organization,"Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid" .The possible outcomes of drowning are classified as death.

  What happens during drowning as follows:

• Drowning occurs when water comes into contact with the larynx 
• After an initial gasp, there is an initial voluntary breath holding.
• This is followed by spasm of the larynx and the development of hypoxemia, or decreased levels of oxygen in the blood stream.
• Lack of oxygen causes aerobic metabolism to stop, and the body becomes acidotic. If not corrected quickly, the lack of oxygen in combination with too much acid may lead to problems with the electrical conduction system of the heart (cardiac arrest) and lack of blood supply to the brain.
• As body function declines, the larynx may relax and allow water to enter the lungs. However, up to 20% of drowning victims have persistent spasm of the larynx, and no water is aspirated (this was formerly known as "dry" drowning).

Symptoms of drowning:

• Anxious,
• Confused,
• Short of breath.

Complications of drowning:

• Hypoxemia causing brain damage is the major complication in drowning victims who do not die.
• Direct lung tissue damage because of water aspirated into the lung can also occur and lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• If the drowning occurs in colder water risks include hypothermia or a drop in body temperature. (If the body Temperature drops below 95F (35C) get medical attention immediately.
• Cervical spine fractures may occur in diving injuries associated with drowning.

Risk factors of drowning:

There are two peak ages for drowning: children aged younger than 4 and young adults aged 15 to 25.

• Children less than one year old most often drown in bathtubs.
• Children younger than age 5 most commonly drown in residential swimming pools.
• Young adults tend to drown in larger bodies of water (for example, rivers and lakes). Neck fractures caused by diving into shallow water are associated with drowning in this age group. Alcohol is also implicated in up to 50% of drownings in this age group.
• Medical emergencies that occur in the water can lead to drowning. These may include, among others, seizures, heart attack (myocardial infarction),sudden cardiac death, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar in a person with diabetes).

Prevention:

There are 4 ways to prevent young children drowning.  

•  Supervision

 Keeping a close watchYoung children should never be left alone or with another child, in or around any body of water. Inadequate supervision is the most significant factor that contributes to young children drowning. Constant adult supervision means ensuring the child all the time and are close to them. Keeping a close watch on the child when they are around water is the most effective way to prevent drowning.A particularly risky time is at social gatherings around a pool, wherethere are several adults and children. It is important during these types of social gatherings that adults take turns being the ‘designated watcher’ or ‘life guard’. However, it is also important that the adults supervising are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and take their role seriously. A good idea is to swap ‘life guards’ regularly so everyone can enjoy the day.

•  Eliminating the hazard

 Eliminating hazards is the most effective prevention method, since it does not rely on barriers or other protective measures which may be ineffective. For example, buckets and baths should be left empty when not in use. 

•  Environmental measures
•  Education.

First Aid Of Drowned:

• Turn the drowning person's head to the side, allowing any water to drain from his or her mouth and nose. Turn the head back to the center.
• Begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on land, if possible, or in the water if the injured person needs immediate life-and-death measures.
• Strongly breathe four times into the mouth of the injured person as you pinch his or her nose. This helps air get past any water that is clogging the breathing passageways and the lungs.
• After four strong breaths, put your ear near the mouth and watch the chest for any breathing movement.
• Check the pulse for signs of life.
•  If the victim is breathing, place into the recovery position.
•  If the victim is not breathing, provide rescue breathing before moving on to an assessment of circulation and full CPR as necessary.