Water-Related Accidents
What is the most common water related incident?
Drowning
What do most diving accidents involve?
Head and spinal injuries
What are the two main problems seen with scuba divers?
Air embolism and decompression sickness
What is the first step in attempting a water rescue?
Reach
What is a flail chest?
With any drowning patient, what is something you should always consider?
Spinal Injuries
What is a suspected injury to be found in boating, skiing, diving, etc.?
Head/Spine injuries
False
What is the second step in attempting a water rescue?
Throw and Tow
What is the medical term for protruding organs?
Evisceration
When doing CPR on a drowning pt, what should you always have with you?
Suction equipment
Elevated blood alcohol levels have been found in 10 percent of drowning patients. True or False
False
What is an air embolism?
Gas/air bubble in the bloodstream
What is the third step in attempting a water rescue?
Row
What is typically the hardest shock to identify?
Neurogenic shock
If the patient has a laryngeal spasm, what should you consider when giving ventilations?
Gastric Distention
How long does it take for symptoms of an air embolism to show?
Typically less than 15 minutes
What are the signs and symptoms of decompression sickness?
Confusion, AMS, headache, vertigo, naseau/vomiting
What is the fourth step in attempting a water rescue?
Go
How do paramedics treat a tension pneumothorax?
Needle decompression
What percent of patients die solely from lack of air in regards to drowning?
10 percent
What air ratio do scuba divers breath from their SCUBA tanks?
21 percent oxygen and 79 percent nitrogen
How many people today partake in Scuba Diving activities?
2 million
When reaching for a patient to rescue, what stance should you be in?
Kneeling
What is the cushing's triad?
Increased BP, decreased pulse, and irregular respirations