Drowning ✅ Flashcards
What is drowning defined as?
The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid (regardless of outcome)
What are drowning outcomes classified into?
- Death
- Morbidity
- No morbidity
What terminology does the classification of drowning based on outcome replace?
‘Drowning’ and ‘near-drowning’
How does drowning compare to other causes of accidental death in children?
It is the third highest cause of accidental death in children in the UK
How does drowning cause death?
Once submerged, hypoxia with or without aspiration occurs. Hypoxia and ischaemia rapidly develop, causing multi-system failure
What are the key factors affecting the outcome of drowning?
- Duration of hypoxic-ischaemic injury
- Temperature of the liquid
- Adequacy of resuscitation
What are the risk factors for drowning?
- Summer months
- Weekends
- Boys
- Pre-school age or teenage
Where is the most common location for drowning?
Swimming pools
What locations of drowning is more common in younger children?
- Baths
- Ponds
What locations of drowning are more common in teenagers?
- Canals
- Rivers
Why are young children at particular risk of drowning?
Due to their inquisitive nature and lack of sense of danger
What happens following immersion in water?
Water enters the airway through gasping and aspiration
How can hypoxia occur in drowning?
- Large volume aspiration
- Laryngospasm
What does ongoing hypoxia in drowning lead to?
Loss of consciousness, bradycardia, and ultimately cardiorespiratory arrest
What duration of drowning can lead to cardiopulmonary arrest?
Can occur within minutes of water entry
What organ is affected by hypoxia and ischaemia caused by drowning?
May affect multiple organ systems, with the brain particularly vulnerable
Is survival time longer in warm or cold water?
Colder water
Why is survival time longer in colder water?
Due to the diving reflex
What is the diving reflex
Bradycardia followed by peripheral vasoconstriction to preserve blood supply to vital organs, triggered by facial contact with cold water
Does the type of water (saltwater vs freshwater) make a difference to the outcome of drowning?
No
When might qualities of the water involved in drowning make a difference to the outcome?
If the water is particularly dirty or contaminated with chemicals, this may cause further respiratory complications
