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Lesson 16:Lesson 16:Submersion Incidents Submersion Incidents
Emergency Reference Guide p. 70-75Emergency Reference Guide p. 70-75
ObjectivesObjectives
• Describe general sequence of events during drowning
• Describe safest & most efficient means of removing submersion victim
• Describe emergency treatment & long term care for drowned patient
• Describe when evacuation is necessary• Describe how to prevent submersion incidents
Submersion Incidents OverviewSubmersion Incidents Overview
• Submersion incidents include death & near death from drowning
• Drowning one of the most common forms of accidental death
• Most submersion incidents are easily preventable
• What activities have a drowning risk?
Submersion Incidents OverviewSubmersion Incidents Overview• Drowning risk activities?:
– Fording streams
– Seining for bait
– Swimming
– Snorkeling
– Scuba diving
– Surfing
– Boating
– Backpacking
– Ice fishing
– Ice skating
How Submersion Leads to How Submersion Leads to DeathDeath
• Non-swimmer can go under in > 1 min., as can hypothermic or injured person
• Person panics & struggles while holding breath
• Heart rate speeds up, blood pressure rises
• Involuntary swallowing of water common. Drive to breath overwhelms the person & he/she breathes in water
How Submersion Leads to How Submersion Leads to Death Death (cont’d.)(cont’d.)
• Most people experience “laryngospasm”, involuntary constriction of muscles of upper airway to keep water out of lungs
• Laryngospasm leads to asphyxia which is inadequate intake of oxygen
• Unconsciousness results
• Respiratory arrest, then cardiac arrest
• Laryngospasm relaxes, water enters lungs
Preventing Submersion Preventing Submersion IncidentsIncidents
• What steps can be taken to prevent submersion incidents?
• Ensure at least one qualified, responsible adult is trained in water related emergencies
• Swim only in safe areas (check area first)• Know how to swim & have appropriate level of fitness• Never swim alone• For boating activities, wear appropriate approved life
jackets (PFDs)
Preventing Submersion Preventing Submersion Incidents Incidents (cont’d.)(cont’d.)
• Wear an appropriate & properly fitting helmet for whitewater boating, water skiing, etc.
• Do not dive into shallow water• All water entry feet should be first, unless water is >
7 feet deep & unobstructed• Do not participate in water activities, if under the
influence of drugs/alcohol• Exercise care when crossing streams• Do not stand in fast moving water• Limit poor swimmers to shallow water
Recognizing a Submersion Recognizing a Submersion EmergencyEmergency
• Timely recognition is key. The way a person behaves in water is your best clue– The manner in which he/she is breathing– Position of the body– How the person uses arms & legs– Ability to make progress in water
Recognizing a Submersion Recognizing a Submersion EmergencyEmergency
• “Active” Drowning Victim:– Struggles for breath– Can’t call for help– Arms to sides, alternately moving up &
pressing down, ineffectively– Vertical body position– No forward progress
Recognizing a Submersion Recognizing a Submersion Emergency Emergency (cont’d.)(cont’d.)
• “Passive” Drowning Victim– Not breathing– No arm or leg motion– Horizontal, or vertical, could be face down or
submerged– No forward progress
Reach, Throw, Row, GoReach, Throw, Row, Go
• Attempting to save drowning victim requires training & skill
• Be sure to know where the rescue equipment is prior to starting activity
• Remember to monitor safety of all members of group
• Follow reach, throw, row, go guidelines.
Reach, Throw, Row, Go Reach, Throw, Row, Go (cont’d.)(cont’d.)
• Reach with arm, paddle, or pole
• Throw, rope, buoy, life preserver
• Row out to victim & reach to help
• Go (swim) only, if you are excellent swimmer & have training in water rescue.
• Don’t allow one victim to become 2!!!
Diving & Spinal InjuryDiving & Spinal Injury
• Diving headfirst into shallow water is a major cause of sports related injuries.
• If person exhibits signs of spinal injury in water & is breathing, minimize his/her movement
• Have a responder who is trained in water rescue provide inline stabilization
• If breathing is absent, provide CPR
ActivityActivity
• Using your backpacks, assemble material that could be used to help save someone who is in the water about 25 feet from land
• Practice attaching a buoyant object to a piece of rope. Practice throwing it to someone who is 25 feet from the shoreline
• Throw the rope beyond the person without directly hitting him/her
Caring for a Drowned PersonCaring for a Drowned Person• When checking patient what to look for?
– Unconciousness– Airway– Breathing– Circulation– Disability– Environmental conditions
• If patient is not moving or breathing, begin rescue breathing and CPR
Caring for a Drowned Person Caring for a Drowned Person (cont’d.)(cont’d.)
• If patient has suspected back/neck/head injury, provide inline stablization– May have to be performed in the water. Water
rescue course will teach this skill
• Care for shock, hypothermia or other conditions that may arise
Guidelines for EvacuationGuidelines for Evacuation
• Aspiration (sucking water into the lungs) of even small amounts of water requires prompt medical care, even if patient responds to resuscitation
• GO FAST for patient that was unconscious, no matter how short a time
• GO FAST if any signs of respiratory distress. Problems can become life threatening– “Secondary drowning,” the after effect of water
entering lungs, may take several days to develop