June 6, 2010

Prehospital Management of Drowning, Immersion Injuries and Episode 222

MedicCast Episode 222

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EMS News—

Tropical Storm Ravages Central America

Ambulance Strikes Horse

Woman Hurt in Ambulance-Moose Collision

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Tip This Week — Drowning and Near Drowning Emergencies

Summer season is here and so we are expecting a lot of people going to beaches, pools, and lakes for swimming and water sports to cool the heat down. Together with these activities are the occurrence of water injuries like drowning and near-drowning.

To prepare EMS providers in responding to such cases, they should review their skills in this area including factors to consider like water salinity and contents (ie. chemicals, bacteria, soil), presence of trauma, water temperature, alcohol and drug use and causes.

The outcome of the event is determined by the success or failure of BLS provided at the scene. Initial treatment should be geared toward ensuring adequacy of the airway, breathing, and circulation, with attention given to cervical spine stabilization if the scenario suggests spinal trauma or if the event is unwitnessed. Rescue breathing should be initiated as early as possible, even while the victim is still in the water if the situation allows. Also check the oropharynx for presence of debris and should be removed with a finger-sweep maneuver if visible.

As always, scene safety is very important to remember in these cases. We would want to make sure that the rescuers will not turn out to be the ones needing help. For more information and further review on this featured tip, follow the links provided below.

EMS Responder Article on Surviving Drowning

eMedicine on Near Drowning

CDC Page on Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water Topics

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Song this week: Julia Wilde with “People Like Us”

Rush Julia Wilde