As summer approaches, drowning events across Australia will be more prevalent. Last year with the hottest summer on record, saw an increase of 17% drowning deaths compared to the previous 10-year average. Healthcare professionals can assist in the community during these stressful emergencies, and use their skills to help manage drowning events. We can initiate immediate treatment by directing bystanders to call for assistance and position the person into a safe place to start emergency care. Below is a quick reminder if you are ever in the situation of needing to assist someone who has had a near drowning event.
Steps in managing a near drowning event:
If you are looking for further updates on drowning and other emergencies, consider:
References:
Australian Resuscitation Council (2014) Guideline 9.3.2 Resuscitation of the Drowning Victim, March, Melbourne, accessed October 219 at https://resus.org.au/glossary/drowning-guideline-9-3-2/
Emergency Care Institute New South Wales (2017) Drowning, September, Chatswood, accessed October 2019 at https://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/eci/clinical/clinical-resources/clinical-tools/environmental-health/submersion
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia (2019) Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2019, Sydney Australia, accessed October 2019 at https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/facts-and-figures/research-and-reports/drowning-reports
Crystal Smith is a Senior Education Consultant for Critical Care Education Services (part of the Medcast Group). She has a clinical background in critical care, paediatrics and education.
Become a member and get unlimited access to 100s of hours of premium education.
Learn moreWe explore the case of Edward, a patient with acute kidney injury (AKI), focusing on renal protection strategies. It explores fluid management, blood pressure control, nephrotoxic drug adjustments, and electrolyte monitoring. Treatment considerations include vasoactive medications, dialysis options like CRRT, and medication dosing to support renal recovery and prevent complications.
Admission of an unstable patient into the ICU requires a smooth transition of care with all team members pitching together to balance critical assessments, with immediate interventions to stabilise the patient. Do you understand your role?
Wayne is a 68-year-old post-CABG patient with third-degree heart block on temporary epicardial pacing who suddenly experiences a bradycardia and hypotension.