Approximately four thousand families will lose someone precious to drowning this year. Every drowning circumstance can be different, but the prevention is always the same.
- Learn how to swim.
- Set up barriers around water hazards.
- Provide uninterrupted visual supervision of children in and around water.
- Learn CPR.
Below is an explanation of the three types of drowning scenarios.
1. WET DROWNING
Cause
- Caused by four or more ounces of water in the lungs. The water in the lungs prevents oxygen from getting to the bloodstream and eventually the heart stops.
Symptoms
- Someone who has spent too much time underwater
- Victim may be quietly reaching for a wall
- Victim may be quietly bobbing up and down at the surface of the water.
- Victim may be lying still on the bottom.
Loss of Consciousness
Response
2. DRY DROWNING (occurs in less than 10% of drowning victims)
Cause
- Caused by larynx (voice box) spasms, which will shut off the airway to the lungs. The prevention of air getting to the lungs results in lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, which will eventually cause the heart to stop.
Symptoms
- Someone who has spent too much time underwater
- Victim may be quietly reaching for a wall
- Victim may be quietly bobbing up and down at the surface of the water.
- Victim may be lying still on the bottom.
Loss of Consciousness
Response
3. DELAYED DROWNING (Secondary Drowning)
Cause
- Caused by less than four ounces of water in the lungs. The body reacts to this small amount of water in the lungs by creating even more fluids in the lungs, which prevents oxygen from getting to the bloodstream and eventually the heart stops.
Symptoms
- immediate coughing and shortness of breath
- tiredness
- unusual behavior
- confused speech or behavior
- loss of bowels and urine control
- sleepiness
Loss of Consciousness
- Can be delayed for up to 72 hours.
Response
- Immediately transport victim (or suspected victim) to the nearest emergency room.
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