Near drowning
Alternative names:
drowning - near
Definition:
Suffocation or
near-suffocation from being submerged in water or other fluid.
Considerations:
In the U.S., drowning
claims nearly 8,000 lives annually.
All near-drowning victims should be checked by a doctor. Even
though victims may revive quickly at the scene, lung complications
are common.
A person who is drowning usually can't shout for help, so
it's important to be alert for signs of drowning. Most drownings
occur within a short distance of safety. 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.
In a near-drowning emergency, immediate action and first aid
can prevent death.
It is possible to revive a drowning victim even if the victim
has been in cold water for a long period.
Children may drown in only a few inches of water.
Common causes:
- Lack of oxygen
- Near-drowning
results from an inability to swim or, in swimmers, from
panic, a boating accident, a heart
attack or a blow to the head while in the water, drinking
heavily before swimming, or a suicide
attempt.
Update Date: 10/08/99
Updated by: adam.com editorial
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