MDA - drowning

what is drowning and what is the mechanism?

resukt of respiratory failure due to inhalation of a liquid that enters the trachea, causes the brain to spasm and shut the trachea, stopping breathing

what is primary drowning

can’t breathe once submerged, person inhales water

secondary event while drowning

something happens that’s unrelated to swimming that causes drowning (heart attack in the water)

secondary drowning

when left over liquid in the lungs from drowning says in the lungs, inflaming aveoli and secreting liquid into the lungs → person will “drown” hours or days after initial drowning

dangers of drowning

hypothermia, secondary trauma, no O2 getting into body

signs and symptoms of drowning

abnormal breathing, pulled out of water, tachycardia, cold/pale skin, loss of consciousness/no cardio/respiratory activity

treatment of drowning

• CPR in ABC order

• water in airways is top priority if the patient is unconscious

• dry patient off

• clear liquid from mouth

• urgent evac

while treating drowning cases, do NOT

• rely on timing from family/people around who were busy while it happened

• perform deep suction or abdominal compressions to extract water from patient

• defibrillate a patient while they’re wet

two types of drowning

Laryngospasm and aspiration

Laryngospasm

brain shuts down trachea and blocks O2 → patient will die even if not technically drowning

aspiration

liquid enters lungs