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Review
. 2024 Aug;42(3):541-550.
doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2024.02.014. Epub 2024 Mar 15.

Drowning

Christopher A Davis  1 , Stephanie Lareau  2
Affiliations
Review

Drowning

Christopher A Davis et al. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Drowning is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is estimated that 90% of drownings are preventable. Drowning is defined as "the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid." Emergency providers should focus on airway management and rapid delivery of oxygen to interrupt the drowning process and improve patient outcomes. Patients with minimal or no symptoms do not require any specific diagnostic workup, aside from physical examination and 4 to 6 hours of observation prior to discharge. Patients with more severe symptoms may present with rales and foamy secretions, and should be managed with high-concentration oxygen and positive airway pressure.

Keywords: ARDS; Drowning; Immersion; Submersion.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Dr C.A. Davis receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, United States. Dr S. Lareau has no financial conflicts of interest to disclose.