Drowning is death by suffocation from being submerged in water. If a person has been rescued from a near drowning situation, first aid and medical attention is critical.
Alternative Names:
Drowning - near
Considerations:
6,000 to 8,000 people drown in the U.S. each year. Most drownings occur within a short distance of safety. Immediate action and first aid can prevent death.
A person who is drowning usually can NOT shout for help. Be alert for signs of drowning.
Suspect an accident if you see someone in the water fully clothed. Watch for uneven swimming motions, which indicate a swimmer is getting tired. Often the body sinks, and only the head shows above the water.
Children can drown in only a few inches of water.
It may be possible to revive a drowning victim even after a prolonged period of submersion, especially if the person was in very cold water.
Causes:
Leaving small children unattended around bathtubs and pools
Drinking alcohol while boating or swimming
Inability to swim or panic while swimming
Falling through thin ice
Blows to the head or seizures while in the water
Attempted suicide
Review Date: 8/13/2004
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (1/22/2004)
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