Near Drowning
Drowning occurs when a person is immersed in a fluid and is unable to access air. When water entered the lungs, that condition is called Wet Drowning. On the other hand, when there is no water that entered the lungs because of an obstruction brought about by the valve in the throat, but fails to open again for available air to pass through, that condition is termed as Dry Drowning.
Near Drowning is a Diving Health Risk which refers to the condition where the Diver had inhaled fluid (water) but death has not occurred.
Victims of a Near Drowning incident are prone to further complications, even death. This condition is called Secondary Drowning. It is death caused by changes or damages in the lungs after a Near Drowning incident. That is why people who survived Near Drowning should be under medical observation.
Symptoms
A victim of a Near Drowning incident is bluish or purple in color and may not have signs of breathing. Likewise, the victim may have bloodstain from the mouth and nose.
Treatment
Seek medical help, or ask someone to do it. Take the victim out of the water. If unconscious, administer CPR. The one who will be doing the CPR should have adequate training. First Aid should be administered until professional aid arrives.
It is important for survivors of a Near Drowning incident to be brought to the hospital and undergo medical observation. Near Drowning can cause biological and chemical changes to the lungs which may lead to Secondary Drowning.
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