I would like to review the basics first aid for drowning, especially if you are engaged in water tourism, fishing from a boat, or just surviving near a river or sea).

Causes of death by drowning are usually fluid inhalation, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest in cold water, and glottic spasm.

There are several types of drowning:

• True, or wet, blue (primary)
• Asphyxic, pale (dry)
• Syncope drowning
• secondary drowning

First aid for true drowning

The cause of true drowning is the ingress of fluid into the lungs, which happens in more than 70% of drowning cases, due to a long struggle for life with periodic immersion in water and swallowing of water. Often this happens in people who cannot swim.

The initial period of true drowning is characterized by the fact that the drowning person is conscious, while the majority behave inappropriately, which is a great danger to the rescuer, since drowning people in this state are able to drown the rescuer, especially if he is not a professional rescuer. The face and neck of a drowning person have a characteristic blue color, which is why this type of drowning is also called blue. A pinkish foam, which is the liquid part of the blood (plasma), can be released from the nose and mouth, which enters the glottis and foams, stopping gas exchange in the lungs, which causes pulmonary edema. Rapid breathing is accompanied severe coughs and vomiting. After some time, the symptoms of true drowning of the initial period quickly disappear.

First aid for the initial period of true drowning: put the victim to rest, warm, and prevent choking when vomiting.

The aginal period of drowning is characterized by the absence of consciousness, but by the presence of a weak pulse and weak breathing. The pulse can be felt only on the carotid arteries. Pinkish foam may come out of the mouth and nose.

First aid for the agonal period of initial drowning:
Ensure access as quickly as possible respiratory tract.
Artificial respiration mouth to mouth, if necessary even in water.
Maintain proper circulation by elevating the legs or reclining.
If you lose your pulse, do indoor massage hearts.

With aginal drowning, it is necessary to begin ventilation of the lungs with breathing apparatus as soon as possible to increase the concentration of oxygen in the body. It is also necessary to remove fluid from the stomach, for which the victim must be tilted over the knee of the bent leg, pat on the back between the shoulder blades and release the contents of the stomach.

The clinical period is similar to the aginal period, except for the absence of pulse and respiration. The patient's pupils are dilated and do not respond to light.

First aid for the clinical period of true drowning:
Early start cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Exhalations into the nose can be done immediately, as soon as the face of the drowning person is removed from the water.
Breathing from mouth to nose
Closed heart massage
Mandatory hospitalization.

In general, as soon as you have taken the victim out of the water, without losing valuable seconds to feel the pulse and examine the pupils, put the victim so that the head is lower than the pelvis and insert two fingers into the mouth and try to remove the contents of the mouth, then press on the root of the tongue to eliciting a gag reflex. If this is followed by vomiting movements, then it is necessary to remove the liquid from the lungs and stomach as soon as possible, for which, for 5-10 minutes, press on the root of the tongue, and pat on the back with the palm of your hand between the shoulder blades. You can press hard a couple of times chest from the sides during exhalation, for a better discharge of water. After removing water from the body, drown the victim on his side

If, after pressing on the root of the tongue, vomiting and coughing movements do not occur, then it is necessary to immediately shift the victim to his back and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation by artificial ventilation and indirect massage hearts. That is, the first thing is not to remove water, but to reanimate respiratory and cardiac activity. But at the same time, every 3-4 minutes it is necessary to turn the victim on his stomach to partially remove water from the respiratory tract.

This assistance should be carried out within 30-40 minutes, even if there are no signs of effectiveness.

After revival, the appearance of a pulse and breathing, a number of first aid measures for drowning will have to be carried out. The first step is to turn the victim on his stomach again. Further measures should be provided by physicians.

The main causes of death in true drowning are pulmonary edema, cerebral hypoxia, cardiac arrest and renal failure, which manifests itself during the next day.

Pulmonary edema is characterized by bubbling breathing, as if water is gurgling and boiling inside the victim, coughing with pinkish foam. Pulmonary edema is very dangerous and should be treated by doctors, but to help the victim in this case, it is necessary to seat the victim or raise his head, put tourniquets on his hips to drive blood to lower limbs and the pelvis, and to establish the inhalation of oxygen from the oxygen bag through alcohol vapor. To do this, it is enough to put a piece of cotton soaked in alcohol in the mask at the level of the lower lip, which will prevent foaming in the lungs, which occurs with pulmonary edema. Only these manipulations can make a significant contribution to saving the victim with pulmonary edema. The tourniquets must be applied for no more than 40 minutes, removed alternately every 15-20 minutes.

If there is a chance for salvation and there is an opportunity to call an ambulance or rescue service, then it is better to do this than to try to transport the victim on random transport, because, on the way, worsening of the condition, cardiac arrest or something like that can happen again. Only in the case when this is not possible, it is necessary to decide on independent transportation, preferably on large transport so that the victim can be placed on the floor.

First aid for asphyxic drowning

Asphyctic drowning occurs in 10-30% of cases when the victim cannot resist drowning, for example, intoxicated, with a strong blow to the water. Due to the irritating effect of, for example, ice water, a spasm of the glottis occurs, and water does not enter the lungs and stomach. Death occurs due to the same spasm of the glottis, i.e. due to hypoxia. Therefore, asphyxic drowning is called dry.

First aid for asphyxic drowning. Since water has not entered the respiratory tract, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be started immediately. Some experts believe that with asphyxial drowning in ice water with the onset of clinical death, there are more chances of salvation than with drowning in warm water. This fact is explained by the fact that in the ice water, the body is in a state of severe hypothermia, including the brain, as a result of which metabolism (metabolism) almost stops, due to which the time reserve for rescue increases, with, of course, timely and correctly rendered assistance on the shore.

That is, with asphyxic drowning, in the absence of a pulse and respiration, in ice water, one cannot hesitate for a second, but immediately proceed with resuscitation of the pulse and respiration. Also, with successful resuscitation of the victim, further complications are usually less. After resuscitation, it is necessary to move or, if possible, warm the victim.

First aid for syncopal drowning

Syncope drowning is characterized by primary cardiac and respiratory arrest, and the onset of clinical death, as a result, for example, of a sharp temperature drop caused by an unexpected dive. The period of clinical death with such drowning is somewhat higher than with other types of drowning, especially in ice water due to deep hypothermia. The main external difference of syncopal drowning is the external pale appearance and the absence of fluid from the respiratory tract.

Conclusion: it is necessary to understand the causes of death in various types drowning, do not panic, and provide resuscitation, even if there is no improvement, for at least 40 minutes.

Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional death and accounts for 7% of all trauma-related deaths. At least 1/3 of survivors suffer from moderate to severe neurological complications. This accident on the water - common cause disability and death, especially in childhood.

At the 2002 World Congress on the subject in Amsterdam, a group of experts proposed a new consensus definition for drowning to reduce confusion about the number of terms, of which there are more than 20 in the literature. The definition given by the experts is: “Drowning is a process that leads to to primary respiratory failure from immersion in a liquid environment.

We will use the old formulations to make it easier for readers to understand the types of state.

Additionally, consider the type of water in which the dive took place: fresh or salty. This is important for the second stage of the correction of the condition, since electrolyte disturbances in the blood serum are associated with the salinity of the water, especially when a large amount of water is ingested.

The first step in helping a drowned person is resuscitation.

Drowning can be further classified as cold water (when the air temperature is less than 20°C) or warm water (20°C or higher). Although low temperature leaves more chances for life, secondary hypothermia in itself with prolonged hypothermia often leads to death.

Infectious complications are more often recorded when liquid enters from a natural or artificial fresh water reservoir.

Prolonged exposure to water without breathing affects the central nervous and cardiovascular system therefore, hypoxemia (low oxygen content in the blood) and acidosis (violation of acid-base balance with a shift to the acid side) are corrected.

note

The degree of damage to the central nervous system depends on the severity and duration of hypoxia (pathological process in the tissues, oxygen starvation, a consequence of hypoxemia).

Violation prevention is key factor to reduce morbidity and mortality from drowning.

Knowing the basics of resuscitation can save a person's life and prevent complications.

Breathing stops after 5-10 minutes, and the heart - 15 minutes after being under water.

Etiology

Drowning can be primary, or occur against the background of the following events:

• acute condition (, etc.);
• damage to the head or spine;
• cardiac arrhythmia;
• or drug intoxication;
• hyperventilation;

The reasons vary depending on age.

Infants

Babies are more likely to drown in tubs or buckets of water. Most of them died during a brief (less than 5 minutes) absence of adult control.

Children aged 1-5 years

The tragedy occurs when using pools, in ditches filled with water, garden ponds and reservoirs located near the house.

Adequate supervision of the child and restriction of access to dangerous places can prevent a tragedy in most cases.

Young people aged 15-19

Young people usually drown in ponds, lakes, rivers, seas. Death is caused by injuries of the spine and head resulting from diving into an unknown reservoir with a shallow depth or with a dangerous bottom (stones, driftwood, metal structures, broken glass, etc.).

Alcohol and, to a lesser extent, drugs were used on many occasions. Australian, Scottish and Canadian researchers have shown that 30-50% of teenagers and adults who drowned in boating incidents were under the influence of alcohol, which was confirmed using special tests.

All age groups

Conditions that can lead to drowning in a person of any age:

• some neurological diseases associated with loss of neuromuscular control (, severe and other disorders);
• water sports;
• cervical spine injury and head trauma associated with surfing, water skiing, diving, diving, etc.
• boat accidents and other injuries (bites, lacerations).

note

The view of a drowning person in real life may differ from "Hollywood" ideas: the victim of water does not always scream, call for help and wave his arms.

What happens to the human body when drowning

There are several options that lead to an unfavorable outcome without timely assistance.

First option: wet or blue drowning

Drowning in fresh water

Fresh water enters the respiratory tract, lungs and stomach, and then is actively absorbed into the blood, diluting it.

violated electrolyte balance, there is a massive destruction of red blood cells, the level of oxygen decreases, and the content of carbon dioxide, toxic to the body, increases.

After resuscitation, the drowned person develops an acute on the background, the leading symptom is the appearance of bloody foam from the mouth.

So, changes against the background of fresh water:

• hemodilution;
• hypervolemia, followed by hypovolemia against the background of pulmonary edema and fluid redistribution;
• hemolysis;
• hyperkalemia;
• hypoproteinemia;
• hyponatremia;
• hypochloremia;
• hypocalcemia.

Drowning in sea water

Sea water has a higher concentration due to the salts it contains, compared to fresh fluid and blood.

After the absorption of sea water, a thickening occurs that changes the rheological properties of the blood, and hypovolemia, hypernatremia, hypercalcemia and hyperchloremia also join.

Second option: dry drowning

The mechanism leading to acute hypoxia is different. When exposed to water, a reflex closure of the glottis (laryngospasm) develops, which prevents air from entering the lungs.

note

There is no fluid in the respiratory tract.

More often, pathology is recorded in children and women, when immersed in dirty or chlorinated water.

A large amount of fluid is found in the stomach.

Third option: secondary drowning

Secondary drowning always accompanies some initial pathology. Loss of consciousness can provoke, for example, an epileptic seizure.

Fourth option: syncopal drowning

Spasm of peripheral vessels reflexively leads to cardiac arrest even with minimal water ingress into the respiratory tract.

So, for example, with a sudden immersion in ice water, a spasm of peripheral blood vessels with cardiac arrest. Pulmonary edema is not typical. The skin is pale, there is no bluish tinge.

Symptoms and signs

The clinical picture depends on the duration of stay under water, its characteristics, timeliness and quality of care. emergency care and the main reason.

If pathological processes have not gone too far, immediately after removal from the water, the following symptoms and signs may be:

• agitation or lethargy;
• cyanosis of the skin;
• noisy breathing with bouts of coughing;
• instability blood pressure and heart rate.

Agony is characterized by the following symptoms:

• loss of consciousness;
• violation of the heart rhythm;
• visualization of swollen jugular veins;
• the appearance of foam from the mouth in a small amount with spasm of the glottis (with pulmonary edema - pink foam with blood);
• spastic contractions of chewing muscles;
• poor pupillary response to light.

The condition can turn into clinical death: respiratory arrest and lack of pupillary reflex.

First aid for drowning: how to act

If a person has not yet disappeared under water, it is recommended to swim up to him from behind in order to prevent a dangerous capture from his side. In a state of shock with paralyzing fear, it is difficult to predict the behavior of the victim, so you should not waste time talking, most likely, the potential drowned person no longer perceives the addressed speech.

If, nevertheless, you are captured and pulled down, dive along with the drowning person, there is a chance that he will automatically relax his hands in order to make an attempt to stay on the surface.

If a drowning person has gone under water, hold your breath and dive, open your eyes, look around.

When detected, take the victim by the hand or hair, push off from the bottom and emerge.

Have someone call the emergency team.

The lack of breathing in the victim is an indication for artificial lung ventilation, it is recommended to perform it in water, subject to control over the situation and possession of the necessary skills.

note

Rule of 3 "P": look, listen, feel.

If there are no injuries, place the drowned person on his thigh with his head down and with both hands make several strong squeezing movements of the chest in the epigastric region to free the airways from fluid.

With pale (pale gray skin) drowning against the background of a reflex spasm of the glottis, there is practically no water, so immediately proceed to artificial respiration and chest compressions. It is better if you have an assistant: one does artificial respiration - the other - a closed heart massage.

Lay the victim on their back and wrap them in a blanket or blanket.

Often in oral cavity foreign objects (silt, algae, dirt, vomit, mucus, etc.) get in, they must be removed. To do this, wrap a scarf or bandage around 2 fingers and get rid of excess in a circular motion.

Remove dentures if possible.

Remove the victim from clothing. Remember, even buttons can cause injury during massage, especially to a child.

Proceed to the primary cardiopulmonary resuscitation complex.

In a drowned person, paralysis of the respiratory center develops after 3-5 minutes, and the heart continues to work for 15 minutes. If the heartbeat is preserved, perform only artificial respiration: mouth to mouth, through a handkerchief, at a frequency of 15-18 breaths per minute. The victim's nose must be pinched.

If no heartbeat is heard, proceed to chest compressions in combination with artificial respiration.

With any type of drowning, it is strictly forbidden to turn the head of the victim, this contributes to increased trauma in case of a fracture of the cervical spine.

Transportation is possible only on a hard surface, it is better if a specialized team is involved in this.

note

When drowning in ice water, metabolic processes in the whole body, including in the brain, slow down. The chances of recovery in this case are the highest.

Do not waste time transferring the victim to a warm room, start resuscitation on the spot.

Perform rescue actions before the arrival of an ambulance or until signs of biological death appear (rigor mortis, spots).

If no positive dynamics is observed within 30-40 minutes, there is a possibility, even with the restoration of breathing and heartbeat, in the future the development of severe paralysis and impaired higher brain activity (profound disability).

How chest compressions and precordial beats are done

Conditionally divide the sternum into 3 parts and find the border between the middle and lower. In this area, strike with your fist, it is possible that an independent heartbeat will be restored. If this does not happen, with the hands clasped in the lock (the leading hand on top), perform rocking movements (2 per second) on the lower region of the sternum.

Hands are perpendicular to the surface of the victim's chest.

For 30 compressions - 2 breaths if one person performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation. At the time of the introduction of air, stimulation of the heart is stopped.

The head of the drowned man is thrown back as much as possible.

children preschool age massage is carried out with one hand, and for babies - with 2 fingers (there is a high probability of fracture of the ribs), the frequency is 100-120 movements per minute.

If 2 people are involved in the assistance, all actions must be coordinated: 4-5 pressures on the sternum on exhalation for one blowing of air into the lungs.

Drowning prognosis

Patients who were promptly resuscitated can make a full recovery.

Victims who were admitted to the intensive care unit in a coma, with dilated pupils and without breathing, have a serious prognosis.

According to statistics, 35-60% of people needed to continue cardiopulmonary resuscitation upon arrival at the hospital, and 60-100% of the survivors in this group received neurological complications.

Pediatric studies show a mortality rate of 30% in children who require specialized treatment for drowning in the intensive care unit. Serious brain damage was recorded in 10-30% of cases.

Mishina Victoria, doctor, medical commentator

There are three types of drowning. Drowning can be primary wet, dry and secondary. In addition to drowning, sometimes there is death in the water, caused by various injuries, heart disease, brain disorders, and so on.

Drowning is possible under a variety of circumstances:

1. From an injury received in the water.
2. When sudden stop hearts.
3. In violation of cerebral circulation.
4. Spasm of the larynx and impossibility of inhalation and exhalation:
- because of fear;
- sharp with a sudden hit in a very cold water.

Types of drowning.

Primary (true) drowning.

This is the most common type of drowning. A drowning person does not immediately plunge into the water, but tries to stay on the surface; in a panic, he begins to make feverish and erratic movements with his arms and legs. It is the most common type of accident on the water.

With it, the liquid enters the respiratory tract and lungs, and then enters the bloodstream. When inhaling, a drowning person swallows a large amount of water, which overflows the stomach, while falling into the lungs. The person loses consciousness and sinks to the bottom. Oxygen starvation - hypoxia - gives the skin a bluish color, so this type of drowning is also called "blue".

When victims drown in fresh water, blood is quickly diluted with water, the total volume of circulating blood increases, red blood cells are destroyed, and the balance of salts in the body is disturbed. As a result, the oxygen content in the blood drops sharply. After rescuing a drowning person and giving him first aid, the phenomena of pulmonary edema are often noted, in which bloody foam comes out of the mouth.

Drowning in sea water is very different from drowning in fresh water in terms of its effect on the body of the victim. Sea water has a higher salt concentration than human blood plasma. As a result of the ingress of sea water into the human body, the amount of salts in the blood increases and its thickening develops. With true drowning in sea water, pulmonary edema quickly develops, and white “fluffy” foam is released from the mouth.

"Dry" drowning.

Also occurs quite often. With this type of drowning, a reflex spasm of the glottis occurs. Water does not enter the lower respiratory tract, but suffocation occurs. This usually occurs in children and women, and also when the victim enters dirty or chlorinated water. With such drowning, water in large quantities enters the stomach.

Secondary or "pale" drowning.

Occurs due to cardiac arrest when the victim falls into cold water, which is called ice. This is based on the reflex reaction of the body to the ingress of water into the windpipe or ear when there is damage. eardrum. Secondary drowning is characterized by a pronounced spasm of peripheral blood vessels. Pulmonary edema usually does not develop. Such drownings occur when a person does not try or cannot fight for his life and sinks quickly.

This often happens during shipwrecks at sea, capsizing boats, rafts, when a person plunges into the water in a state of panic fear. If the water is also cold, then this can lead to irritation of the pharynx and larynx, which in turn often leads to sudden cardiac and respiratory arrest. This type of drowning can also occur if a person in the water has a head injury or has already entered the water with it. In this case, there is a rapid loss of consciousness. The skin is characterized by increased pallor, hence the name of the type.

Rescue of the drowning.

When rescuing a drowning person, do not grab him by the hair or head. The most reliable and safest way is to grab it under the armpits, turn it back to you and swim to the shore, trying to keep the victim's head above the water.

The condition of victims of drowning.

It is associated with the duration of being under water, with the type of drowning and the degree of cooling of the body. In mild cases, consciousness is preserved, but excitation, trembling, repeated vomiting are noted. With a long stay in the water, with a true or "dry" drowning, consciousness is impaired or absent altogether, the victims are very excited, there may be convulsions, and the skin is bluish. With secondary drowning, marked pallor of the skin is noted, the pupils are dilated. The victims have wheezing rapid breathing.

When drowning in sea water, pulmonary edema quickly develops, and the heartbeat quickens. When drowning is prolonged and secondary, the victim can be removed from the water in a state of clinical or biological death. True drowning in fresh water can be complicated by impaired kidney function in the form of blood in the urine. During the first day, pneumonia may occur. With a pronounced breakdown of red blood cells in the body, acute renal failure develops.

Emergency aid for drowning.

Regardless of the type of drowning, help must be provided immediately, otherwise irreversible changes in the brain occur. With true drowning, this occurs within 4-5 minutes, in other cases after 10-12 minutes. First aid on the shore will be different for blue and pale drowning. In the first case, it is necessary first of all to quickly remove water from the respiratory tract. To do this, standing on one knee, lay the victim on a bent second leg so that the lower part of the chest rests on it, and the upper part of the body and head hang down.

After that, you need to open the victim's mouth with one hand, and with the other, pat him on the back or gently press on the ribs from the back. Repeat these steps until the rapid outflow of water stops. Then perform artificial respiration and closed heart massage. With a pale type of drowning, artificial respiration is immediately necessary, and in case of cardiac arrest, a closed massage. Sometimes in the airways of a drowned person there are large foreign bodies that get stuck in the larynx, as a result of which the airways become impassable or a persistent spasm of the glottis develops. In this case, a tracheostomy is performed.

With any type of drowning, it is absolutely impossible to turn the head of the victim, as this can cause additional injury with a possible fracture of the spine. To prevent the head from moving, place rolls of tightly rolled clothing on both sides of it, and if necessary, turn the victim over, while one of the assisters should support the head, preventing it from moving on its own.

Resuscitation, in particular artificial respiration, must be continued even if the victim has spontaneous breathing, but there are signs of pulmonary edema. Artificial respiration is also carried out when the victim has a respiratory disorder (i.e., its frequency is more than 40 per 1 minute, irregular breathing and a sharp blue of the skin). If breathing is preserved, then the patient should be allowed to breathe in vapors of ammonia. If the rescue of the victim was successful, but he has a chill, rub the skin, wrap him in warm, dry blankets. You can not use heating pads in the absence or violation of consciousness.

In severe types of drowning, the victim must be taken to the intensive care unit. During transportation, artificial ventilation of the lungs should be continued. Doctor "ambulance" medical care"or the intensive care unit of the hospital in case of impaired breathing and pulmonary edema in the victim, the breathing tube is inserted into the trachea and connected to a device or artificial lung ventilation device.

Beforehand, a probe is inserted into the stomach of the victim. This will prevent stomach contents from entering the respiratory tract. The patient should be transported in the supine position, with the headrest of the stretcher lowered. It is dangerous to prematurely stop artificial ventilation of the lungs. Even if a person has independent respiratory movements, this does not mean the restoration of normal breathing, especially with pulmonary edema.

When drowning in fresh water, the victim in hospital conditions with a sharp blue, swollen neck veins sometimes produce bloodletting. With a pronounced breakdown of erythrocytes, a solution of sodium bicarbonate, erythrocyte mass, and blood plasma are transfused intravenously. To reduce swelling, diuretics, such as furosemide, are administered. A decrease in the level of protein in the body is an indication for the transfusion of concentrated albumin.

With the development of pulmonary edema against the background arterial hypertension 2.5% benzohexonium solution or 5% pentamin solution, glucose solutions are injected intravenously. Apply large doses of hormones: hydrocortisone or prednisolone. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent pneumonia. To calm down with motor excitation, 20% solutions of sodium oxybutyrate, 0.005% fentanyl solution or 0.25% droperidol solution are administered intravenously.

Based on the book "Quick help in emergency situations."
Kashin S.P.

Drowning is a type of mechanical suffocation that occurs as a result of filling the lungs with liquid. The time and nature of death in water depends on external factors and state of the body. Approximately 70,000 people worldwide die each year from drowning. Most of the victims are young men and children.

Causes of drowning

Risk factors are alcohol intoxication, the presence of a person with heart disease, damage to the spine when diving upside down. Also, the causes of drowning can be a sharp fluctuation in temperature, fatigue, various injuries when diving.

The risk of drowning is increased in the event of a whirlpool, high water flow, and the presence of key sources. Being calm in an emergency and not panicking can greatly reduce the risk of drowning.

Types of drowning

There are three types of drowning.

The true type of drowning is characterized by filling the airways with liquid to the smallest branches - the alveoli. In the alveolar septa, under the pressure of the fluid, the capillaries burst, and water or other fluid enters the bloodstream. As a result, there is a violation of the water and salt balance and the breakdown of red blood cells.

Asphyxic type of drowning is characterized by spasm of the airways, which ultimately leads to suffocation from lack of oxygen. When water or liquid enters the respiratory tract, laryngospasm occurs, which leads to hypoxia. On final stages By drowning, the airways relax and fluid enters the lungs.

The syncope type of drowning is characterized by the onset of death from reflex cardiac and respiratory arrest. This type of drowning happens from hypothermia or a strong emotional shock. It accounts for 10-14% of all cases of drowning.

Signs of drowning

The main symptoms and signs of drowning depend on its type.

With true drowning, there is a sharp cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes, pink foam is ejected from the respiratory tract, the veins in the neck and extremities are very swollen.

With asphyxic drowning, the skin does not have the same blue color as with true drowning. A pink, finely bubbling foam is released from the lungs of the victim.

With syncopal drowning, the skin is pale in color due to capillary spasm, such victims are also called "pale". This type of drowning has the most favorable prognosis. It is known that with syncopal drowning, even after 10 or more minutes of being under water, revival is possible.

It should be noted that the prognosis for drowning in sea waters is more favorable than in fresh water.

Help with drowning

Help with drowning is to carry out resuscitation. It must be remembered that the sooner resuscitation measures are taken, the better the prognosis will be, and the higher the chances of the victim to recover.

The main help for drowning is to carry out artificial ventilation of the lungs and chest compressions.

Artificial respiration is desirable to carry out as early as possible, even during transportation to the shore. First, it is necessary to free the oral cavity from foreign bodies. For this, a finger wrapped in a bandage (or any clean rag) is inserted into the mouth and all excess is removed. If there is a spasm of the masticatory muscles, which makes it impossible to open the mouth, then it is necessary to insert a mouth expander or any metal object.

To free the lungs from water and foam, special suction can be used. If they are not there, then it is necessary to lay the victim with his stomach down on the rescuer's knee and vigorously compress the chest. If the water does not go away within a few seconds, you need to start artificial ventilation of the lungs. For this, the victim is laid on the ground, his head is thrown back, the rescuer puts one hand under the neck, and the other on the patient's forehead. It is necessary to push the lower jaw so that the lower teeth protrude forward. After that, the rescuer inhales deeply and, pressing his mouth to the mouth or nose of the victim, exhales the air. When respiratory activity appears in the victim, artificial ventilation of the lungs cannot be stopped unless consciousness is restored and the rhythm of breathing is disturbed.

If there is no cardiac activity, then simultaneously with artificial respiration, it is necessary to conduct an indirect heart massage. The rescuer's arms should be placed perpendicular to the patient's sternum in its lower third. Massage is performed in the form of sharp shocks with intervals of relaxation. The frequency of shocks is from 60 to 70 per minute. With proper chest compressions, blood from the ventricles enters the circulatory system.

If the rescuer performs the revival alone, then it is necessary to alternate the massage of the heart muscle and artificial ventilation. For 4-5 shocks, one blowing of air into the lungs should fall on the sternum.

The optimal time for resuscitation is 4-6 minutes after rescuing a person. When drowning in ice water, revival is possible even half an hour after being removed from the water.

In any case, as soon as possible, even with the restoration of all vital functions, it is imperative to deliver the victim to the hospital.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Signs of true drowning:

- cyanosis of the skin of the face,

- swelling of the vessels of the neck,

Turn on the stomach, clean the mouth and press on the root of the tongue.

If there is a gag reflex, continue removing water from the stomach (up to 2-3 minutes).

If there is no gag reflex, make sure that there is no pulse on the carotid artery and proceed to resuscitation.

If there is a pulse on the carotid artery, but there is no consciousness for more than 4 minutes, turn on the stomach and apply cold to the head.

In cases of shortness of breath, bubbling breathing - seat the victim, apply heat to the feet, apply tourniquets on the thigh for 20-30 minutes.

Attention! In the case of true drowning, death can occur in the next few hours from repeated cardiac arrest, pulmonary edema, and cerebral edema. Therefore, in each case of drowning, rescue services are necessarily called, and the rescued person must be delivered to the hospital. .

Actions in case pale drowning

Signs of pale drowning:

- lack of consciousness

- lack of pulse on the carotid artery,

- pallor of the skin,

- sometimes "dry" foam from the mouth,

- more common after falling into icy water.

Move the victim to a safe distance from the hole.

Check for a pulse on the carotid artery.

If there is no pulse on the carotid artery, start resuscitation.

If there are signs of life, transfer the rescued to a warm room, change into dry clothes, give a warm drink.

Attention! In the case of pale drowning, it is unacceptable to waste time removing water from the stomach.

Actions in case of the first stage of hypothermia

Signs of the first stage of hypothermia:

- blue lips and tip of the nose,

- chills, muscle tremors, goosebumps,

- Profuse frothy discharge from the mouth and nose.

If possible, wear additional warm clothing. Force to move.

Give 50-100 ml of wine or other sweet alcohol, provided that within 30 minutes the victim will be taken to a warm room and his mouth did not smell of alcohol .

Attention! The first stage of hypothermia is protective and not life-threatening. It is enough to use additional warm clothes, make them move and take warm food or sweets in order to prevent the onset of a more dangerous stage of hypothermia.

If, after removing from the hole, there is no supply of dry clothes and the ability to make a fire, if possible, lay any paper between the body and wet clothes and continue moving towards the settlement. After 5-7 minutes, the paper will begin to dry and become a good heat insulator.

Actions in case of the second and third stages of hypothermia

Signs of the second and third stages hypothermia (as they appear):

skin blanching,

Loss of feeling cold and feeling comfortable in the cold,

Complacency and euphoria or unmotivated aggression,

Loss of self-control and adequate attitude to danger,

The appearance of auditory, and more often visual hallucinations,

Lethargy, lethargy, apathy,

Oppression of consciousness and death.

Offer warm sweet drink, warm food, sweets.

Take to a warm place as soon as possible.

If there are no signs of frostbite on the extremities, remove clothing and place in a bath of warm water or cover with plenty of heating pads.

Attention! Before immersing the victim in water, be sure to check its temperature with your elbow.

After the warming bath, put on dry clothes, cover with a warm blanket and continue to give warm sweet drinks until the arrival of the medical staff.

Attention! It is unacceptable to offer alcohol to the victim lying in the water.

Related information:

1. A) This is what determines, stimulates, induces a person to perform any action included in the activity