In this Article

• What is drowning?
• What happens during drowning?
• What are the complications of drowning?
• Does the type of drowning matter?
• What are the risk factors of drowning?
• What are the symptoms of drowning?
• When should one seek medical care for drowning?
• How is drowning diagnosed?
• How is drowning treated?
• How can drowning be prevented?
• What is the prognosis for a drowning victim?
• Drowning Glossary
• Drowning Index

How can drowning be prevented?

Most drownings are preventable, and simple steps can be taken to help with water safety.

• Learn how to swim.
  
  
• When in the water, use the buddy system.
  
  
• Do not use alcohol or drugs when swimming or boating.
  
  
• Supervise children closely around water and make certain they are the focus of your attention. Even bathtubs and buckets full of water can be dangerous.
  
  
• Swimming pools should have barriers (fences, gates, alarms) to prevent children from entering unattended.
  
  
• Learn CPR.

What is the prognosis for a drowning victim?

The prognosis for many drowning victims is poor. The brain does not tolerate lack of oxygen well and the amount of potential damage is dependent upon the time the patient spends hypoxemic in the water.

Even if the brain survives, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may cause significant short and long-term problems as the lungs try to recover from their injuries.

The key to the treatment of drowning is prevention.

References: www.who.int (World Health Organization), "Drowning," "Facts About Injuries: Drowning."

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