Submersion Injury Standard

Question 1

Who should we request to get out the pt out of the water?

Answer 1

appropriate personnel to carry out rescue operationss

Question 2

We should NEVER attempt to rescue patients, true of false?

Answer 2

TRUE

Question 3

Consider life/limb/function threats:

Answer 3

asphyxia

aspiration

hypothermia

pulmonary edema

underlying disorders could have happened before (drug of alcohol consumption, hypoglycemia, cardiac dysrhythmias, trauma (spinal/head injury)) and:

• scuba diving related:
  - barotrauma (ears, sinuses, pneumothroax)
  - decompression sickness and
  - arterial gas embolism

Question 4

What should we attempt to determine above these incidents?

Answer 4

duration of submersion

if water contains chemicals or obvious chemicals, pollutants or other debris
and

water temperature

Question 5

If the incident was scuba diving related…. what should we attempt to determine?

Answer 5

• number, depth and duration of dives
• rate of ascent
• when symptoms OCCURED (underwater, upon surfacing or within minutes thereof: possible gas embolus,

more than 10 mins after surfacing: possible decompression sickness)

• where the air embolism is suspected and the patient is on a spinal board or scoop, not elevate the head 30 degrees if level of consciousness is decreased

prepare for a tension pneumothorax

Question 6

With regards to arterial gas embolisms, what positioning is recommended but not been clearly shown the advantages, but minimizes the risk of aspiration!!

Answer 6

LEFT SIDED POSITIONING