Would You Know What To

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Would You Know What To Would You Know What to Do? Emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. In an aquatic emergency, every second counts. Survival depends on quick rescue and immediate care. Know how to recognize an emergency. Many emergencies can happen quickly and silently. Know how to tell if a swimmer is in distress or is drowning. A distressed swimmer or drowning victim needs help immediately! - A swimmer in distress may still try to swim but makes little or no forward progress. If not helped, a swimmer in distress will soon become a drowning victim. - An active drowning victim may be vertical in the water but unable to move forward or tread water. An active drowning victim may try to press down with the arms at the side in an instinctive attempt to keep the head above the water. - A passive drowning victim is motionless and floating face down on the bottom or near the surface of the water. Do not assume that a swimmer in distress is joking or playing around. Know how to respond to an aquatic emergency. If someone is missing, check the water first. Reach or throw, don’t go. Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses to learn what to do. Have the right equipment. Have reaching and throwing equipment on hand, such as ring buoys or reaching poles, or even a water jug tied to a rope or a broom. Whenever boating or near water, even if you don’t expect to go in, always have U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets available. Life jackets should be the proper size for each individual and in good condition. Have cell phones or portable phones nearby to help ensure that you can quickly call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. Have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand. Ensure that you know how to use the equipment and that expiration dates have not passed. For more information or to enroll in Swimming and Water Safety courses, contact your local Red Cross chapter. .
Recommended publications
  • 22575VIC Course in Basic Oxygen Administration for First Aid
    22575VIC Course in Basic Oxygen Administration for First Aid This course has been accredited under Part 4.4 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 Version 1 Accredited for the period: 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025 © State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training) 2021. Copyright of this material is reserved to the Crown in the right of the State of Victoria. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Australia licence (see Creative Commons for more information). You are free use, copy and distribute to anyone in its original form as long as you attribute Department of Education and Training as the author, and you license any derivative work you make available under the same licence. Disclaimer In compiling the information contained in and accessed through this resource, the Department of Education and Training (DET) has used its best endeavours to ensure that the information is correct and current at the time of publication but takes no responsibility for any error, omission or defect therein. To the extent permitted by law, DET, its employees, agents and consultants exclude all liability for any loss or damage (including indirect, special or consequential loss or damage) arising from the use of, or reliance on the information contained herein, whether caused or not by any negligent act or omission. If any law prohibits the exclusion of such liability, DET limits its liability to the extent permitted by law, for the resupply of the information. Third party sites This resource may contain links to third party websites and resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Title: Drowning and Therapeutic Hypothermia: Dead Man Walking
    Title: Drowning and Therapeutic Hypothermia: Dead Man Walking Author(s): Angela Kavenaugh, D.O., Jamie Cohen, D.O., Jennifer Davis MD FAAP, Department of PICU Affiliation(s): Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Medical Center ABSTRACT BODY: Background: Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children and is associated with severe morbidity and mortality, most often due to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Those that survive are often left with debilitating neurological deficits. Therapeutic Hypothermia after resuscitation from ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia induced cardiac arrest is the standard of care in adults and has also been proven to have beneficial effects that persist into early childhood when utilized in neonatal birth asphyxia, but has yet to be accepted into practice for pediatrics. Objective: To present supportive evidence that Therapeutic Hypothermia improves mortality and morbidity specifically for pediatric post drowning patients. Case Report: A five year old male presented to the Emergency Department after pool submersion of unknown duration. He was found to have asphyxial cardiac arrest and received bystander CPR, which was continued by EMS for a total of 10 minutes, including 2 doses of epinephrine. CPR continued into the emergency department. Upon presentation to the ED, he was found to have fixed and dilated pupils, unresponsiveness, with a GCS of 3. Upon initial pulse check was found to have return of spontaneous circulation, with sinus tachycardia. His blood gas revealed 6.86/45/477/8/-25. He was intubated, given 2 normal saline boluses and 2 mEq/kg of Sodium Bicarbonate. The initial head CT was normal.
    [Show full text]
  • First Aid Management of Accidental Hypothermia and Cold Injuries - an Update of the Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines
    First Aid Management of Accidental Hypothermia and Cold Injuries - an update of the Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines Dr Rowena Christiansen ARC Representative Member Chair, Australian Ski Patrol Medical Advisory Committee All images are used solely for the purposes of education and information. Image credits may be found at the end of the presentation. 1 Affiliations • Medical Educator, University of Melbourne Medical • Chair, Associate Fellows Group, School Aerospace Medical Association • Director, Mars Society Australia • Board Member and SiG member, WADEM • Chair, Australian Ski Patrol Association Medical Advisory Committee • Inaugural Treasurer, Australasian Wilderness • Honorary Medical Officer, Mt Baw Baw Ski Patrol and Expedition Medicine Society (Victoria, Australia) • Member, Space Life Sciences Sub-Committee of • Representative Member, Australian Resuscitation Council the Australasian Society for Aerospace Medicine 2 Background • Australian Resuscitation Council (“ARC”) Guideline 9.3.3 “Hypothermia: First Aid Management” was published in February 2009; • Guideline 9.3.6 “Cold Injury” was published in March 2000; • A review of these Guidelines has been undertaken by the ARC First Aid task- force based on combination of a focused literature review and expert opinion (including from Australian surf life-saving and ski patrol organisations and the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (the Medical Commission of the International Commission on Alpine Rescue - “ICAR MEDCOM”); and • It is intended to publish the revised Guidelines as a jointly-badged product of the Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (“ANZCOR”). 3 Defining the scope of the Guidelines • The scope of practice: • The ‘pre-hospital’ or ‘out-of-hospital’ setting. • Who does this guideline apply to? • This guideline applies to adult and child victims.
    [Show full text]
  • The “Best” Way to Breath
    Journal of Lung, Pulmonary & Respiratory Research Case Report Open Access The “Best” way to breath Abstract Volume 2 Issue 2 - 2015 A “best” way to breath is described resulting from discovering a pre-Heimlich method Samuel A Nigro of preventing choking. Because of four episodes in three months of terrifying complete laryngospasm, the physician-patient-writer, consistent with many medical discoveries Retired, Assistant Clinical Professor Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, USA in history, discovered a method of aborting the episodes. Breathing has always been taken for granted as spontaneously and naturally most efficient. To the contrary, Correspondence: Samuel A Nigro, Retired, Assistant Clinical nasal breathing is best with first closing the mouth which enhances oxygenation and Professor Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School trans-laryngeal respiration. Physiologic aspects are reviewed including nasal and oral of Medicine, 2517 Guilford Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio respiratory distinctions, laryngeal musculature and structures, diaphragm control and 44118, USA, Tel (216) 932-0575, Email [email protected] neuro-functional speculations. Proposed is the SAM: Shut your mouth, Air in nose, and then Mouth cough (or exhale). Benefits include prevention of choking making the Received: January 07, 2015 | Published: January 26, 2015 Heimlich unnecessary; more efficient clearing of the throat and coughs; improving oxygenation at molecular level of likely benefit for pre-cardiac or pre-stroke anoxic crises; improving exertion endurance; and offering a psycho physiologic method for emotional crises as panics, rages, and obsessive-compulsive impulses. This is a simple universal public health technique needing universal promulgation for the integration of care for all work forces and everyone else.
    [Show full text]
  • The Post-Mortem Appearances in Cases of Asphyxia Caused By
    a U?UST 1902.1 ASPHYXIA CAUSED BY DROWNING 297 Table I. Shows the occurrence of fluid and mud in the 55 fresh bodies. ?ritfinal Jlrttclcs. Fluid. Mud. Air-passage ... .... 20 2 ? ? and stomach ... ig 6 ? ? stomach and intestine ... 7 1 ? ? and intestine X ??? Stomach ... ??? THE POST-MORTEM APPEARANCES IN Intestine ... ... 1 Stomach and intestine ... ... i CASES OF ASPHYXIA CAUSED BY DROWNING. Total 46 9 = 55 By J. B. GIBBONS, From the above table it will be seen that fluid was in the alone in 20 LIEUT.-COL., I.M.S., present air-passage cases, in the air-passage and stomach in sixteen, Lute Police-Surgeon, Calcutta, Civil Surgeon, Ilowrah. in the air-passage, stomach and intestine in seven, in the air-passage and intestine in one. As used in this table the term includes frothy and non- frothy fluid. Frothy fluid is only to be expected In the period from June 1893 to November when the has been quickly recovered from months which I body 1900, excluding three during the water in which drowning took place and cases on leave, 15/ of was privilege asphyxia examined without delay. In some of my cases were examined me in the due to drowning by it was present in a most typical form; there was For the of this Calcutta Morgue. purpose a bunch of fine lathery froth about the nostrils, all cases of death inhibition paper I exclude by and the respiratory tract down to the bronchi due to submersion and all cases of or syncope was filled with it. received after into death from injuries falling The quantity of fluid in the air-passage varies the water.
    [Show full text]
  • Respiratory Physiology for the Anesthesiologist
    REVIEW ARTICLE Deborah J. Culley, M.D., Editor ABSTRACT Respiratory function is fundamental in the practice of anesthesia. Knowledge of basic physiologic principles of respiration assists in the proper implemen- tation of daily actions of induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, Respiratory Physiology delivery of mechanical ventilation, discontinuation of mechanical and pharma- cologic support, and return to the preoperative state. The current work pro- Downloaded from http://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article-pdf/130/6/1064/455191/20190600_0-00035.pdf by guest on 24 September 2021 for the Anesthesiologist vides a review of classic physiology and emphasizes features important to the anesthesiologist. The material is divided in two main sections, gas exchange Luca Bigatello, M.D., Antonio Pesenti, M.D. and respiratory mechanics; each section presents the physiology as the basis ANESTHESIOLOGY 2019; 130:1064–77 of abnormal states. We review the path of oxygen from air to the artery and of carbon dioxide the opposite way, and we have the causes of hypoxemia and of hypercarbia based on these very footpaths. We present the actions nesthesiologists take control of the respiratory func- of pressure, flow, and volume as the normal determinants of ventilation, and Ation of millions of patients throughout the world each we review the resulting abnormalities in terms of changes of resistance and day. We learn to maintain gas exchange and use respiration compliance. to administer anesthetic gases through the completion of (ANESTHESIOLOGY 2019; 130:1064–77) surgery, when we return this vital function to its legitimate owners, ideally with a seamless transition to a healthy post- operative course.
    [Show full text]
  • First Aid for Diving Emergencies.FH9
    First Aid for Diving Emergencies - Does the Diagnosis Matter? Dr Michael Davis, MD, FRCA, FANZCA, Dip DHM Medical Director, Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Christchurch Hospital Diving emergencies develop out of the blue according to Murphy's Law - when least expected and at the Figure 1. FIRST AID ALGORITHM worst possible moment. They are invariably the result of a chain reaction of circumstance that breaks This decision flow chart has been used in several versions by the author since 1978 for teaching diving through the loose-knit but nevertheless effective safeguards built into scuba diving, and are rarely caused first aid management. It was first published in the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Journal by any one factor alone. 1981; 11 (Suppl): 63-67. This is a harrowing moment for a group of divers faced with sudden chaos and a motley of non-specific symptoms and signs in the victim (Table 1). The circumstances may provide sufficient clues to what is happening (eg. oxygen toxicity is hardly likely in someone in difficulties on the surface prior to an air dive, but near drowning is a strong bet). Table 1 START HERE DO NOT PANIC The possible presence or absence of 15 symptoms & signs in 8 potentially serious diving-related conditions. or RE-ENTER Note that there is not a single condition/presentation combination that is diagnostic. ENDANGER SELF (DCI-Decompression Illness) Common DCI Pneumo- Ear baro Marine Near Hypo- Myocard- Trauma signs/ thorax - trauma Sting Drowning thermia Infarct symptoms CONTROL MASSIVE EXTERNAL BLEEDING Pain Limb + - - + - + + SPEED IS VITAL+ Pain Chest + + - + + - + + Headache + + + + + + + + Fatigue + + + + + + + + Shivers + + + + + +/-+ + UNCONSCIOUS? Nausea & Vomitting + + + + + + + + Short of Breath + + - + + + + + Cyanosis + + - + + + + + Tinnitus + - + - - CLEAR AIRWAY -YES - NO OBSERVE+ Motor Loss + - - + - - + + Sensory Loss + - - + - - + BREATHING? + INJURY? Convulse + + - + + - + + Loss of Consc.
    [Show full text]
  • MECAP News April 2021
    U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission MECAPnews MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND CORONERS ALERT PROJECT April 2021 MECAP Reports | Page 2 Asphyxia/Suffocation Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Submersion MECAP Reports | Page 3 Fire All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) Electrocution Fatalities Involving Other Hazards MECAP Contact | Page 4 The following pages summarize MECAP reports Yolanda Nash received by CPSC selected for follow-up Program Analyst investigation. The entries include a brief Division of Hazard and Injury Data description of the incident to illustrate the type and Systems Directorate for Epidemiology nature of the reported fatalities. This important information helps CPSC carry out its mission to U.S. Consumer Product Safety protect the public from product-related injuries and Commission deaths. 4330 East-West Highway Bethesda, MD We appreciate your support; please continue to 20814 report your product-related cases to us. [email protected] 1-800-638-8095 x7502 or 301-504-7502 *Cases selected for CPSC follow-up investigation Asphyxiation/ down to sleep in a toddler basement stairs. The Suffocation bed with multiple heavy electric power had been blankets. The next morning, shut off, and the generator *A 7-year-old female was the mother found the was used to provide power. discovered by her mother decedent positioned face EMS measured the carbon unresponsive in bed with a down in the soft bedding monoxide level at 500 ppm. balloon pulled over her face. and blankets. Despite The cause of death was The decedent became emergency efforts, the carbon monoxide poisoning. entangled with a helium infant was pronounced dead balloon tied to her bed and at the hospital.
    [Show full text]
  • First Aid Drowning Drowning Is the Lack of Oxygen Because the Body Is Submerged in Water
    First aid drowning Drowning is the lack of oxygen because the body is submerged in water. One statistic that about four fifths of drowning cases in which lung water and fifth left lung drowning but no water. The sink in water but not stuffy provincial time saved is called a near drowning. The reason for that condition in the lungs of drowning without water is not due to an unexpected swim under water, causing the victim to panic disorder to reflect the body was submerged, reflex muscle contraction epiglottis airways and closed again as the victim is not breathing hypoxic brain and lead to unconsciousness. Epiglottis is closed due to water entering the lungs is not. It is also called dry drowning. Emergency drowning victims: - When you see a panicky hurry on the water for them anything that can help them cling and float up. If only one and two hands, if not an emergency personnel are experienced swim out and rescue personnel is very risky even a good swimmer because of extreme panic, victims often tend to struggle, cling very tightly making it difficult for the emergency and the risk of drowning is always both. Should throw the victim a float before the victim clinging to, then the victim clinging to the savor. - After bringing the victim to shore, quickly call the emergency number 115 and carry out artificial respiration by means of mouth through the mouth because it is the most effective method. The human brain will be damaged or killed if the victim stops breathing for 4-6 minutes.
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Laryngeal Foreign Bodies in Children
    150 Sharma, Sharma PREVENTION 3 Haake DA, Zakowski PC, Haake DL, et al. Early treatment with acyclovir for varicella pneumonia in otherwise healthy The US National Center for Infectious Dis- Rev adults: retrospective controlled study and review. Infect J Accid Emerg Med: first published as 10.1136/emj.16.2.150 on 1 March 1999. Downloaded from eases received reports of three adult deaths due Dis 1990;12:788-98. 4 Wallace MR, Bowler WA, Murray NB, et al. Treatment of to chickenpox in the first three months of 1997, adult varicella with oral acyclovir. A randomised, placebo- including two cases of pneumonia in previously controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1992;117:358-63. 5 Joseph CA, Noah ND. Epidemiology of chickenpox in Eng- healthy non-pregnant adults.28 Three control land and Wales, 1976-85. BMJ 1988;296:673-6. strategies were recommended, including uni- 6 Fairley CK, Miller E. Varicella-zoster virus epidemiology-a changing scene ?JIlnfect Dis 1996;174(suppl 3):S314-19. versal vaccination against varicella in children 7 Mermelstein RH, Freireich AW. Varicella pneumonia. Ann aged over 12 months and non-immune adults, Intern Med 1961;55:456-63. 8 Knyvett AF. The pulmonary lesions of chickenpox. QJ'Med after antibody testing in doubtful cases. The 1966;139:313-23. vaccine was developed in Japan in 1972 and has 9 Ellis ME, Neal KR, Webb AK. Is smoking a risk factor for been available in North America since March pneumonia in adults with chickenpox ? BMJ 1987;294: 1002-3. 1995. It is a live, attenuated virus preparation 10 Rose RM, Wasserman AS, Wyser WY, et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Near Drowning
    Near Drowning McHenry Western Lake County EMS Definition • Near drowning means the person almost died from not being able to breathe under water. Near Drownings • Defined as: Survival of Victim for more than 24* following submission in a fluid medium. • Leading cause of death in children 1-4 years of age. • Second leading cause of death in children 1-14 years of age. • 85 % are caused from falls into pools or natural bodies of water. • Male/Female ratio is 4-1 Near Drowning • Submersion injury occurs when a person is submerged in water, attempts to breathe, and either aspirates water (wet) or has laryngospasm (dry). Response • If a person has been rescued from a near drowning situation, quick first aid and medical attention are extremely important. Statistics • 6,000 to 8,000 people drown each year. Most of them are within a short distance of shore. • A person who is drowning can not shout for help. • Watch for uneven swimming motions that indicate swimmer is getting tired Statistics • Children can drown in only a few inches of water. • Suspect an accident if you see someone fully clothed • If the person is a cold water drowning, you may be able to revive them. Near Drowning Risk Factor by Age 600 500 400 300 Male Female 200 100 0 0-4 yr 5-9 yr 10-14 yr 15-19 Ref: Paul A. Checchia, MD - Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Near Drowning • “Tragically 90% of all fatal submersion incidents occur within ten yards of safety.” Robinson, Ped Emer Care; 1987 Causes • Leaving small children unattended around bath tubs and pools • Drinking
    [Show full text]
  • Hypothermia Hyperthermia Normothemic
    Means normal body temperature. Normal body core temperature ranges from 99.7ºF to 99.5ºF. A fever is a Normothemic body temperature of 99.5 to 100.9ºF and above. Humans are warm-blooded mammals who maintain a constant body temperature (euthermia). Temperature regulation is controlled by the hypothalamus in the base of the brain. The hypothalamus functions as a thermostat for the body. Temperature receptors (thermoreceptors) are located in the skin, certain mucous membranes, and in the deeper tissues of the body. When an increase in body temperature is detected, the hypothalamus shuts off body mechanisms that generate heat (for example, shivering). When a decrease in body temperature is detected, the hypothalamus shuts off body mechanisms designed to cool the body (for example, sweating). The body continuously adjusts the metabolic rate in order to maintain a constant CORE Hypothermia Core body temperatures of 95ºF and lower is considered hypothermic can cause the heart and nervous system to begin to malfunction and can, in many instances, lead to severe heart, respiratory and other problems that can result in organ damage and death.Hannibal lost nearly half of his troops while crossing the Pyrenees Alps in 218 B.C. from hypothermia; and only 4,000 of Napoleon Bonaparte’s 100,000 men survived the march back from Russia in the winter of 1812 - most dying of starvation and hypothermia. During the sinking of the Titanic most people who entered the 28°F water died within 15–30 minutes. Symptoms: First Aid : Mild hypothermia: As the body temperature drops below 97°F there is Call 911 or emergency medical assistance.
    [Show full text]