Drowning can occur at any time of the year, but with all our schools in Anguilla now closed for the summer vacation the risk of children drowning is markedly increased. Most cases of near-drowning are avoidable. There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risks and prevent cases of near-drowning.
What is near-drowning?
Near-drowning means a person almost dies from not being able to breathe (suffocating) under water. According to the World Health Organization, “Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid. “Immediate action and first aid can prevent death in many cases of near-drowning. It may be possible to revive a drowning person even after a long period under water, especially if the person is young. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Surveys indicate that 10% of children under 5 have experienced a situation with a high risk of drowning.
What can you do to prevent near-drowning?
Many cases of drowning can be prevented. A number of simple measures can help prevent drowning These include the following:
• Learn to swim
• Teach children to swim
• Do not swim alone. Even good swimmers should not swim alone
• Learn CPR
• Avoid drinking alcohol whenever swimming
• Drowning can occur in any container of water. Children can drown in only a few inches of water. Do not leave any standing water (in empty basins, buckets, ice chests, kiddy pools, or bathtubs). Secure the toilet seat cover with a child safety device.
• Fence all pools and spas. Secure all the doors to the outside, and install pool and door alarms.
• Wearing of life jackets in water sports, including yachting, water skiing and jet skiing.
• If your child is missing, check the pool immediately.
• Never allow children to swim alone or unsupervised regardless of their ability to swim.
• Never leave children alone for any period of time or let them leave your line of sight around any pool or body of water. Drownings have occurred when parents left “for just a minute” to answer the phone or door.
• Observe water safety rules.
Medical conditions and drowning
Individuals can experience medical emergencies while in the water, and these can lead to drowning. These medical emergencies may include, among others, seizures, heart attack (myocardial infarction), sudden cardiac death and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar in a person with diabetes).
Alcohol and drowning
Alcoholic intoxication is a major risk factor for drowning. Those who go swimming alone after a night of drinking are at very high risk. Night-time and intoxication also increase the risk of diving into shallow water, producing head or neck injuries. Remember drinking and swimming do not mix.
How is drowning treated?
Treatment begins at the water’s edge. Most experts recommend that, if possible, one person should be sent to activate Emergency Medical Services and call 911 immmediately.
If no pulse can be identified and the patient is not breathing, CPR should be started. If there is a potential for a neck injury, special care needs to be taken to prevent further injury to the victim.
If the patient is breathing but not awake, he/she should be placed on his/her side in the rescue position to prevent aspiration if vomiting should occur.
Further treatment by EMTs, paramedics, qualified health professionals and staff at the hospital will depend upon the severity of the symptoms. Those patients who have no symptoms may require nothing more than observation.
Those who are in cardiopulmonary arrest will likely undergo CPR with attempts to restore a regular heart rhythm and heart beat.
Those patients who have symptoms related to the function of their heart, lung or brain will need further evaluation and treatment tailored to their specific circumstances and situation. And, unfortunately, for those who are found dead, no further treatment or evaluation may be indicated. The key to the treatment of drowning is prevention.
What are the complications of near drowning?
There are several complications that occur in individuals who experience near drowning and do not die. Complications include the following:
• Hypoxemia causing brain damage.
• Direct lung tissue damage because water aspirated into the lung can also occur and lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• If the drowning occurs in colder water risks include hypothermia or a drop in body temperature. (If the body temperature drops below 95F (35C) get medical attention immediately.)
Conclusion
Worldwide drowning or near-drowning is a leading cause of injury and death. Many cases can be prevented by simple measures. At this time of the year many of our children are at risk for drowning and adequate supervision is important at all times. Let us all try to prevent drowning or near drowning especially among our children.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
