Nonfatal Drowning

Tauhid Mahmud, MPH, MD Reviewed 05/2023

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Respiratory impairment resulting from submersion in liquid

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Incidence

From 2010 to 2019, an average of 3,957fatal unintentional drownings in the United States (1)
Three age...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

The Revised Utstein-style approach provides a standardized template for evaluating drowning incidents and provides guidance for the history, physical exam, and appropriate management ...

TREATMENT

Early resuscitation and reversal of hypoxemia/acidosis are key.

GENERAL MEASURES

Prehospital
- Never approach a struggling victim alone. Initiate basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovasc...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Appropriate follow-up with primary care provider, orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, and additional specialists as indicated

Patient Monitoring

ABG monito...

REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unintentional drowning: get the facts. http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html/. Accessed January...

CODES

ICD10

T75.1XXA Unsp effects of drowning and nonfatal submersion, init
T75.1XXD Unsp effects of drowning and nonfatal submersion, subs
T75.1XXS Unsp effects of drowning and nonfatal submersion, sequ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

The most important treatment for near-drowning victims is prompt reversal of hypoxia.
Water safety education ( physical and behavioral modifications) helps prevent drowning.
Encourage po...

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