first aid III

3. "Drowning"

            -when a person is drowning, the air passages close to prevent water entering the lungs. This also prevents air from entering the lungs, thus depriving the victim of oxygen and eventually leading to unconscious and death. Usually, only if the victim has been unconscious in the  water  for some time  do the lungs fill up the  water. More commonly, the water goes into the stomach. A secondary risk for the  rescued person is that he or she may  choke on vomits as  water in the stomach  forces the  stomach contents upward. A near-drowning person also  faces the  risk of hypothermia.Children and young adults are the greatest risk of drowning.

Rescuing A Drowning Person:


   Key Rule: Protect Yourself.
 If a person who is drowning will strike out and pull down even the  most  competent swimmer; dirty  can hide dangers such  as metal rubbish with sharp edges; and  cold water can cause muscle to cramp very quickly. If possible:
    ☺Reach the person from the  safety of solid ground using a pole, rope, or bouyancy aid to help himself out of the water.
                  
                   

    ☺If in  doubt about your ability to rescue the person safety, call for  emergency help.

     A. Vomiting

       -a person who  was nearly drowned is very likely to vomit.
              
Things to do:

     ☺If the victim vomits while you are resuscitating him,turn him towards you and clear out the mouth before  turning him into the back and  resuming rescue breathing.

     ☺If the victim  vomits while in the recovery position,clear out the mouth and keep a close eye on breathing to ensure that it has not stopped.

     ☺If the victim is conscious and becomes sick,encourage him to lean forward and  give  support while he is vomiting.

Treatment of a Near-drowning Victim 

   ☺Open  airway by  tilting the head,checking the mouth and lifting the chin.Check for  breathing for up to 10 seconds.
   ☺If victim is breathing,place into the recovery position.
   ☺If the victim is not breathing, provide rescue breathing before moving on to an assessment of circulation and full CPR.
   NOTE: no.1 priority is to ensure an open airway and ensure that the person is breathing.


      B.Hypothermia-is a lowering of the body's core temperature and is very common secondary problem of near-drowning.If untreated, hypothermia leads to the breathing and heart rate slowing down and  eventually stopping.

                                     

Things to do in case hypothermia occur in near-drowning person:
    ☺Place the victim on a blanket or layer of coats to insulate him from the  ground.
    ☺Remove wet clothing if you are able to replace it quickly with warm and dry clothing.If not,then cover the wet clothing with blankets and coats.
    ☺Warm the external environment if possible.
    ☺Seek medical help as soon as possible if hypothermia occurs in conscious person.