About this episode
Author: Chris Holmes, MD Educational Pearls: Epidemiology: 80% male, ages 1-4 at greatest risk, African-American > Caucasian. Freshwater and ocean water may have more bacteria than pool water. Salt water is hyperosmolar, which theoretically increases risk of pulmonary edema. Greatest physiologic insult is from hypoxia secondary to fluid aspiration or laryngeal spasm. Patient survival is related to presentation on arrival. Workup includes CXR and ABG; consider C-spine immobilization/imaging when cervical injury is strongly suspected (i.e. diving injury). Treatment consists of supplemental oxygen therapy. Consider CPAP or intubation. References Szpilman D, Bierens JJ, Handley AJ, Orlowski JP. Drowning. N Engl J Med . 2012. 366(22):2102-10. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1013317. Schmidt A, Sempsrott J. Drowning In The Adult Population: Emergency Department Resuscitation And Treatment. Emerg Med Pract. 2015. 17(5):1-18.