submersion injuries

Question 1

Environment

Answer 1

• request appropriate personnel to carry out rescue operations, if required;(make sure patient is on land) (and warm not soaking wet)
• unless authorised, make no attempt to participate in water or other types of rescue
  operations;
• are we on a dock ?
• what time of day ?
• whats the water temp
• is the water polluted with chemicals or any particles ?

Question 2

Consider

Answer 2

a. asphyxia,
b. aspiration,
c. hypothermia,
d. pulmonary edema,
e. underlying disorders which may have caused events (e.g. drug or alcohol consumption, hypoglycemia, cardiac dysrhythmias, trauma [spinal/head injury]), and
f. specific to scuba-diving related disorders,
i. barotrauma (ears, sinuses, pneumothorax),
ii. decompression sickness, and
iii. arterial gas embolism;

Question 3

Determine

Answer 3

a. duration of submersion,
b. if water contains known or obvious chemicals, pollutants or other debris, and
c. water temperature;

Question 4

Determine(scuba diving related)

Answer 4

a. attempt to determine,
i. number, depth and duration of dives,
ii. rate of ascent, and
iii. when symptoms occurred (e.g. underwater, upon
surfacing or within minutes thereof [possible gas embolus],
more than 10 minutes after surfacing [possible
decompression sickness],
b. where air embolism is suspected and the patient is on a spinal board or adjustable break-away stretcher, not elevate the head 30 degrees if level of consciousness is
decreased, and
c. prepare for tension pneumothorax.

Question 5

Treatment

Answer 5

• high flow o2
  ventilate with bvm if needed
  treat any other trauma injuries(dislocated ankle/wrist)