Drowning Flashcards
What are the symptoms of secondary drowning?
Coughing. Persistent coughing or coughing associated with increased work of breathing needs to be evaluated.
Increased “work of breathing.” Rapid shallow breathing, nostril flaring, or where you can see between the child’s ribs or the gap above their collarbone when they breathe, means they’re working harder to breathe than normal. This is a sign that you should seek medical help immediately.
Sleepiness. Your kid was just excitedly playing in the pool, and now she’s fatigued? It could mean not enough oxygen is getting into to her blood. Don’t put her to bed until her doctor gives you the go-ahead.
Forgetfulness or change in behavior. Similarly, a dip in oxygen level could cause your child to feel sick or woozy.
Vomiting is a sign of stress from the body as a result of the inflammation and sometimes a lack of oxygen, also from persistent coughing and gagging.
Why do people who recover from near drowning need to go to hospital?
Risk of secondary drowning. Any child pulled from the pool needs medical attention.
Following a witnessed submersion into icy water up to what time can CPR be started?
90 minutes. 60 minutes for warmer water.
What O2 therapy should be given for near drowning?
High flow for children.
94-98% for adults.
Ideally in what position should the patient be removed from the water?
Horizontal to avoid hydrostatic pressure induced hypotension.
If there are no spinal injuries suspected, what position should near-drowning patient be transported?
Recovery.
What is breath-holding syncope?
LOC due to reduced stimulus to breath. Hyperventilation prior to diving (in order to stay submerged longer) increases O2 content but decreases CO2 content. The CO2 level is the strongest stimulus for breathing. So O2 might run out but person might still not feel the need to breath.
What is the treatment for a conscious casualty with suspected air embolism/decompression sickness?
Remove from water.
Keep pt calm.
Administer O2.
Place of in left lateral recumbent position.
Prompt transport to recompression facility.
