Submersion Injury BLS PCS Standard

What are the life/limb/function threats that should be considered in a submersion injury case?

• asphyxia

• aspiration

• hypothermia

• pulmonary edema

• underlying disorders which may have precipitated events

• scuba-diving related disorders

What are some underlying disorders which may precipitate a submersion injury?

• drug/alcohol consumption

• hypoglycemia

• cardiac dysrhythmias

• trauma (e.g., spinal/head injury)

What are some scuba-diving related disorders that may precipitate a submersion injury?

• barotrauma

  • ears

  • sinuses

  • pneumothorax

• decompression sickness

• arterial gas embolism

What should the paramedic attempt to determine in submersion injuries?

• duration of submersion

• if water contains known/obvious chemicals/pollutants/other debris

• water temperature

What should the paramedic attempt to determine in scuba-diving related submersion injuries?

• number of dives

• depth of dives

• duration of dives

• rate of ascent

• when symptoms occurred

  • underwater (gas embolus)

  • upon surfacing (gas embolus)

  • more than 10min after surfacing (decompression sickness)

True or false: the paramedic should prepare for tension pneumothorax

true

True or false: patients’ heads should be elevated by 30 degrees in situations where they have lost/decreased/altered levels of consciousness

false

True or false: left-sided positioning has not been shown to offer advantages such as impeding movement of the embolism to the head, but is recommended for reduction of aspiration risk

true