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Near drowning

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• Symptoms
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Definition:

Near-drowning means a person almost died from not being able to breathe (suffocating) under water.

If a person has been rescued from a near drowning situation, quick first aid and medical attention are very important.

Alternative Names:

Drowning - near

Considerations:

• 6,000 to 8,000 people drown in the U.S. each year. Most drownings occur within a short distance of safety. Immediate action and first aid can prevent death.
• A person who is drowning usually can NOT shout for help. Be alert for signs of drowning.
• Suspect an accident if you see someone in the water fully clothed. Watch for uneven swimming motions, which indicate a swimmer is getting tired. Often the body sinks, and only the head shows above the water.
• Children can drown in only a few inches of water.
• It may be possible to revive a drowning victim even after a prolonged period of submersion, especially if the person was in very cold water.

Causes:

• Leaving small children unattended around bathtubs and pools
• Drinking alcohol while boating or swimming
• Inability to swim or panic while swimming
• Falling through thin ice
• Blows to the head or seizures while in the water
• Attempted suicide

• Review Date: 7/17/2006
• Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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