Do you know what drowning looks like?

LibraryLady · 07-08-2010, 09:54

As a heat wave grips much of the US, I thought this a great reminder.

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Quote:

And parents: children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.

The companion article is pretty good too - especially for folk who live around cold water.

Stay safe everyone, as you try to stay cool!

LL

Saoirse · 07-08-2010, 10:11

LL,
Thanks for posting this. It has great information and something we all need to pay close attention to, especially those with children; who are not the only ones susceptable to drowning. With beach/lake/pool parties going on all summer, adults, imho, are more susceptable. Drinking, lots of eating, bravado with jetskis and boating ...all contribute to this preventable tragedy.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun summer!

DJ Urbanovsky · 07-08-2010, 10:23

That's an awesome article.

**Pete** · 07-08-2010, 10:27

All kidding aside................

As someone who helped teach a number of Pre-SCUBA Courses.........

You have to keep your eye on kids when they are in the water.

T-Rock · 07-08-2010, 11:14

I had the honor of nearly being drowned by Michael Edwin Thornton

Seriously though, some of the worst ER codes I’ve worked as an RRT have been pediatric drowning / near drowning victims. Once a rhythm returns and they’re stuck on the vent, lung compliance drops to nil which equates to pneumo city due to surfactant washout - have the needle decompression kit handy or someone readily available who’s efficient with placing chest tubes.

So far we’ve been lucky this summer - fingers crossed…

Penn · 07-08-2010, 11:22

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Thornton

Trip_Wire (RIP) · 07-08-2010, 13:18

I was a Rescue/Recovery Diver for the King County Sheriff's Department from 1956 to 1974. During that time I was involved with the recovery of 200 plus bodies of drowning victims. Most of them were small kids at local lakes in the County.

So, yes I know what drowning looks like!

As many know here the King County area has many lakes as well as Puget Sound. The average temperature in Puget Sound is 48 degrees year round. Most of the lakes are spring fed and can be very cold. Our summer this year has been late in coming and the lakes haven't warmed up much.

People who depend on 'life guards' to watch over their children are fools! Anytime you have a child swimming in a pool, lake or ocean you need to keep your undivided attention on them full time!