Skip to main content

Nonfatal Drowning

Tauhid Mahmud, MPH, MD and Amoreena Ranck Howell, MSPH, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Respiratory impairment resulting from submersion in liquid (1)

  • System(s) affected: cardiovascular, nervous, pulmonary, renal

  • Synonym(s): submersion injury; terms such as “near-drownin...

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 cardiovascu...

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

1
Szpilman  D, Bierens  J, Handley  AJ, et al. Drowning. N Engl J Med.  2012;366(22):2102–2110. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
2
Centers for Di...

ADDITIONAL READING

Conover K, Romero S. Drowning prevention in pediatrics. Pediatr Ann. 2018;47(3):e112-e117.  

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...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×