Near drowning

PREVIEW

Primary care physicians, particularly those working in the emergency department on summer weekends and holidays, should be prepared to care for near-drowning victims. But physicians can have an important role beyond resuscitation and follow-up of individual patients who have a submersion accident. They can enhance the well-being of families and sometimes the entire community through education on safety and preventive measures. In this article, Dr Thanel provides an algorithm for evaluation and treatment of near-drowning victims, and he summarizes important safety tips for use at home and on the water.