Drowning accidents

Press, 27 October 1981, Page 27

Drowning accidents

All casualties of drowning accidents should be taken to hospital for a check-up, even if they appear to be fully recovered. Recent research into the causes, effects and treatment of hypothermia being carried out by specialists in America and Canada has motivated the New Zealand . Water Safety Council to issue this warning to all people involved in aquatic sports and leisure activities. The research has shown that three basic types of drowning have been identified.

“Wet" drowning,. when

water is inhaled and floods the lungs: and "dry" drowning, when water is inhaled but causes the larynx to close before the lungs are flooded, are the two major types. In either type of drowning incident, resuscitation should be applied immediately. The third type identified has been called "near” drowning. This term is applied when a victim has survived a drowning incident (or has subsequently been revived) but fails to seek prompt medical attention. Six to eight hours later, the person becomes a fatality as pulmonary oedema causes collapse and death. (Water inhaled during the drowning incident is absorbed by the lungs into the bloodstream diluting the blood and causing a strain on the heart.)

Many of these subsequent deaths go unreported as drowning-related fatalities but they are a direct r.esult of the initial incident.

In every “near” drowning, the casualty should be taken to hospital for an immediate check-up. The examination should include a chest X-ray and a blood sample to identify any damage to the lungs dr circulatory system. If any residual water is detected’ in the lungs or bloodstream. immediate medical attention can be given to correcting the condition, thus preventing the consequent deterioration of the lungs and a possible drowning-related death.