Lesson 16 Submersion Incidents Emergency Reference Guide p

Lesson 16: Submersion Incidents Emergency Reference Guide p. 70 -75

Objectives • Describe general sequence of events during drowning • Describe safest & most efficient means of removing submersion victim • Describe emergency treatment & long term care for drowned patient • Describe when evacuation is necessary • Describe how to prevent submersion incidents

Submersion Incidents Overview • Submersion incidents include death & near death from drowning • Drowning one of the most common forms of accidental death • Most submersion incidents are easily preventable • What activities have a drowning risk?

Submersion Incidents Overview • Drowning risk activities? : – – – – – Fording streams Seining for bait Swimming Snorkeling Scuba diving Surfing Boating Backpacking Ice fishing Ice skating

How Submersion Leads to Death • Non-swimmer can go under in > 1 min. , as can hypothermic or injured person • Person panics & struggles while holding breath • Heart rate speeds up, blood pressure rises • Involuntary swallowing of water common. Drive to breath overwhelms the person & he/she breathes in water

How Submersion Leads to Death (cont’d. ) • Most people experience “laryngospasm”, involuntary constriction of muscles of upper airway to keep water out of lungs • Laryngospasm leads to asphyxia which is inadequate intake of oxygen • Unconsciousness results • Respiratory arrest, then cardiac arrest • Laryngospasm relaxes, water enters lungs

Preventing Submersion Incidents • What steps can be taken to prevent submersion incidents? • Ensure at least one qualified, responsible adult is trained in water related emergencies • Swim only in safe areas (check area first) • Know how to swim & have appropriate level of fitness • Never swim alone • For boating activities, wear appropriate approved life jackets (PFDs)

Preventing Submersion Incidents (cont’d. ) • Wear an appropriate & properly fitting helmet for whitewater boating, water skiing, etc. • Do not dive into shallow water • All water entry feet should be first, unless water is > 7 feet deep & unobstructed • Do not participate in water activities, if under the influence of drugs/alcohol • Exercise care when crossing streams • Do not stand in fast moving water • Limit poor swimmers to shallow water

Recognizing a Submersion Emergency • Timely recognition is key. The way a person behaves in water is your best clue – The manner in which he/she is breathing – Position of the body – How the person uses arms & legs – Ability to make progress in water

Recognizing a Submersion Emergency • “Active” Drowning Victim: – Struggles for breath – Can’t call for help – Arms to sides, alternately moving up & pressing down, ineffectively – Vertical body position – No forward progress

Recognizing a Submersion Emergency (cont’d. ) • “Passive” Drowning Victim – Not breathing – No arm or leg motion – Horizontal, or vertical, could be face down or submerged – No forward progress

Reach, Throw, Row, Go • Attempting to save drowning victim requires training & skill • Be sure to know where the rescue equipment is prior to starting activity • Remember to monitor safety of all members of group • Follow reach, throw, go guidelines.

Reach, Throw, Row, Go (cont’d. ) • • Reach with arm, paddle, or pole Throw, rope, buoy, life preserver Row out to victim & reach to help Go (swim) only, if you are excellent swimmer & have training in water rescue. • Don’t allow one victim to become 2!!!

Diving & Spinal Injury • Diving headfirst into shallow water is a major cause of sports related injuries. • If person exhibits signs of spinal injury in water & is breathing, minimize his/her movement • Have a responder who is trained in water rescue provide inline stabilization • If breathing is absent, provide CPR

Activity • Using your backpacks, assemble material that could be used to help save someone who is in the water about 25 feet from land • Practice attaching a buoyant object to a piece of rope. Practice throwing it to someone who is 25 feet from the shoreline • Throw the rope beyond the person without directly hitting him/her

Caring for a Drowned Person • When checking patient what to look for? – Unconciousness – Airway – Breathing – Circulation – Disability – Environmental conditions • If patient is not moving or breathing, begin rescue breathing and CPR

Caring for a Drowned Person (cont’d. ) • If patient has suspected back/neck/head injury, provide inline stablization – May have to be performed in the water. Water rescue course will teach this skill • Care for shock, hypothermia or other conditions that may arise

Guidelines for Evacuation • Aspiration (sucking water into the lungs) of even small amounts of water requires prompt medical care, even if patient responds to resuscitation • GO FAST for patient that was unconscious, no matter how short a time • GO FAST if any signs of respiratory distress. Problems can become life threatening – “Secondary drowning, ” the after effect of water entering lungs, may take several days to develop

Questions? ? ? What else could you add to your First Aid Kit?