(no subject)

[mamculuna]

Drowning doesn't look like drowning: something everyone should read.

Comments

[usedtobeljs]

That was good, if horrifying, information. Thank you.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Sorry to make people read it, but I thought, even those of us who might not be rescuers might still be able to noticed when it's needed.

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

wow. i had NO CLUE.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I've even seen people saved and thought it was the screaming and thrashing, but now realize I hadn't seen what happened before the rescue.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

That seems like very reasonable advice. I'm not sure why it's not endorsed by those agencies because it does make so much sense.

Drowning has always been a fear of mine, even though I can swim.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I think seeing it happen is really what pushes it home. Those of us who spend time on the water really need that information--at least I do!

[anomster.livejournal.com]

As w/choking (no coughing or choking sounds--no sounds at all, because the windpipe's blocked), TV gives a misleading picture.

I'm glad you posted this, mamcu. In addition to the essential info it gives, it reminded me of something I read long ago: that people revived after a near-drowning should always go to a hospital for examination, observation, & treatment. Even if they seem fine. Even if they feel fine & insist they don't need to go. Body fluids have a salt content btwn. that of fresh water & that of salt water, & getting either into the lungs can throw off the saline balance & become life-threatening hours after the person is pulled out of the water & walks away.

Whoa--I looked for a basic rundown on near-drowning & found this (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC286328/). There's more to it than I thought. Still very understandable until it gets more technical toward the end.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

That's really interesting. It looks like near-drowning in cold water is even more complicated than if it happens in warmer water, but it's good to read, too. The first-aid courses I've taken generally followed that plan (prevent more heat loss, chest compressions, get them to a hospital) but didn't give much detail about why.

[anomster.livejournal.com]

Well, someone rescued from cold water has a better chance than if they were drowning in warm water. I'd known some of the info already, but I'd never heard the part about keeping the person prone while taking them out of the water.