NEAR-DROWNING - LIFESAVING STEPS

Cervical-spine injury, trauma, and hypothermia should be considered in all sports-related near-drownings. The focus of resuscitation should be on prompt restoration of respiration, CPR, and advanced cardiac lif e support with cervical-spine precautions. A subset of near-drowning v ictims can be discharged after only 4 to 6 hours of observation. Altho ugh total drowning deaths have decreased 45% in the past 15 years, a g reater emphasis on public education to prevent drowning remains in ord er.