Signs of Near Drowning

Description

Near drowning means a person almost dies from not being able to breathe because they are under water. The official definition is survival for greater than 24 hours after being rescued. It is estimated 6,000-8,000 people die from drowning every year. The most common causes of near drowning are: drinking alcohol, head injuries, attempted suicide, falling through thin ice, poor swimming abilities, leaving small children unattended around bodies of water, and trying to save someone who is drowning. After removal from the water immediate CPR if the person is not breathing is essential to survival. Up to one third of near drowning patients suffer moderate to severe brain damage.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include: abdominal distention, bluish skin of the face and extremities, chest pain, cold skin, pale appearance, confusion, cough with pink frothy sputum, lethargy, no breathing, restlessness, shallow or gasping respiration, unconsciousness, and vomiting.

Tests

A history and physical will be performed. Further testing will be determined by the severity of the associated injuries and how long the patient was under water.

Standard Workup

CBC
Chem 12
Troponin
UA
X-Ray
CT Scan
EKG

Treatment

Basic life support should be started immmediately for those who are not breathing and CPR for those without a pulse. Treatment in the hospital will depend on the associated injuries and how long the patient was under water. Some patients will be able to go home after a period of observation, while others will need admission to the hospital. The primary areas of treatment will be support of the breathing using a breathing tube and ventilator if necessary, maintaining the circulatory system, and protecting the brain if there was neurological injury.