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

Questions???Questions???

What else could you add to your What else could you add to your First Aid Kit?First Aid Kit?