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CHILDHOOD DROWNINGS.
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Essay Subject:
Statistics, causes, effects of near-drowning, prevention. Role of nurses & other rescuers.... More...
5 Pages / 1125 Words
5 sources, 13 Citations, APA Format
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Paper Abstract:
Statistics, causes, effects of near-drowning, prevention. Role of nurses & other rescuers.

Paper Introduction:
Drowning ranks second only to motor vehicle accidents as the most common cause of accidental deaths among children. Almost 5 children per 100,000 drown each year in the United States alone. Infants and toddlers are most at risk: as many as 45 percent of all cases involve children not yet one year old (Jumbelic and Chambliss 1952). This research focuses on reasons behind drownings, how they can be prevented and medical problems resulting from near drownings. For the purposes of this research, near drownings are classified as a life threatening incident in which children are found face down or under the surface of water. Cases in which children are found floating and breathing, or struggling, are not included. During 1989, swimming pools accounted for between 55 and 80 percent of all childhood drowning deaths in the United States.

Text of the Paper:
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As with all emergency aid situations, potential rescuers should avoidrisking their own lives to save the victim. A studyof child drownings and near drownings in Maricopa County, Arizona foundthat a lapse in supervision accounted for 4 percent of the incidentsduring 1988 and 1989. If possible and available, oxygen should beadministered as quickly as possible. CPR should continue until other rescuers arrive, or until aresponse is noted. Not only do the buckets pose aproblem, the cleaning fluids commonly used throughout the country are alsodangerous. Cardiac rhythm should be monitored continuouslyonce CPR has been stopped. Works CitedBarker, Ellen and Robert Higgins. Swimming pools gain the most notoriety as a source of drowningsbecause of the high number of pools, and drownings in the country. Fences are most effective in preventing drownings when the pool isnot in use. The victimswere discovered with their heads submerged and their feet in the air. Others were used as catch basins under leaky faucets, a flush forbroken toilets, and in one case, as a storage container for fish (Jumbelicand Chambliss 1952). 1988): 62.----------------------- 7 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should begin immediately after thechild is pulled from the water and continue for a reasonable period oruntil other rescuers arrive. Emergency caregivers should assume a cervical spine injuryhas occurred if the victim was diving, fell from a height or into shallowwater, or if the drowning occurred as the result of a boating accident(Barker and Higgins 58). Theproblem with these items is that young children, naturally curious, bendover to look into the object, fall in, and are unable to remove themselvesbecause of their lack of coordination and high center of gravity. As a result, a number ofmunicipalities have passed strict pool fence legislation ("Child Drownings"68 ). Lapse in supervision still remains the single most common cause ofdrownings. Such statistics reinforce the need for prompt attention to drowningvictims. However, a hypothermic victim rewarmed byexternal application of too much heat can succumb to rewarming shock. Such a lapse can occur in the home (where buckets and toiletsattract toddlers' attention), and near lakes and pools. 1989): 7 -94."Child Drownings and Near Drownings Associated With Swimming Pools." Journal of the American Medical Association 264 (8 Aug. Infants and toddlersare most at risk: as many as 45 percent of all cases involve children notyet one year old (Jumbelic and Chambliss 1952). Antibiotics and prophylacticcorticosteroids should not be given to victims until their condition hasbeen stabilized at a proper care facility. During 1989, swimming pools accounted for between 55 and 8 percentof all childhood drowning deaths in the United States. In one study of Cook County, Illinois, 24 percent of child drowningsfrom 1985 through 1989 resulted from these industrial buckets. Drowning ranks second only to motor vehicle accidents as the mostcommon cause of accidental deaths among children. If there isthe possibility of cervical spine injury, the victim should be properlyimmobilized. This research focuses onreasons behind drownings, how they can be prevented and medical problemsresulting from near drownings. The only long-term effect of her ordealwas a slight tremor that has shown progressive improvement. This, inturn, leads to accumulation of lactic acid in cold pooled peripheral blood. For the purposes of this research, neardrownings are classified as a life threatening incident in which childrenare found face down or under the surface of water. Swimming pools and bathtubs are culprits in childhood drownings thatare recognized hazards by most parents and individuals providing child care("Child Drownings" 68 ). Almost 5 children per1 , drown each year in the United States alone. Manufactured for industrial uses and forshipping, individuals recycle them for home use. This stability is heightened when water is added (Jumbelic and Chambliss1953). This makes them particularly effective during the wintermonths in many parts of the country. In fact, a completely empty bucket isunlikely to tip over even when a small child climbs or falls in head first. A heart which has just resumed beatinggenerally cannot tolerate this shock, and fibrillation and death may occur(Beyda, et al. "Early Resuscitation in Near Drowning." Patient Care 23 (15 Jan. Despite these efforts at education, children are always going tofall, climb or jump into water and risk drowning. However, two other common water hazards includetoilets, humidifiers, and buckets (Jumbelic and Chambliss 1952). Another 9percent were discharged with neurological impairment ("Child Drownings"68 ). A severerelative hypovolemia results by rapidly increasing the potential capacityof the peripheral vessels. One of the features ofthese buckets which make them particularly appealing for home use is theirinability to tip even when empty. 75). External warming dilates the peripheral vessels, shunting cold, acidoticblood and causing a sudden drop in core temperature and pH. They range from 34 to 38 centimeters in height and from 29 to 3 centimeters in diameter. Buckets employed in household cleaning are particularly insidious,especially the five gallon (18 liter) industrial types. "Accidental Toddler Drowning in 5- Gallon Buckets." Journal of the American Medical Association 263 (11 Apr. 7 ). Lack of a pool fence accounted for another 35percent. Her heart began beating and herpupils reacted to light when her body temperature reached 77 F and eightweeks later she left the hospital. Only in rare cases should victims not behospitalized for observation, particularly with regard to latent pulmonaryinfection (Beyda, et al. They weighapproximately one kilogram when empty, and 18 kilograms when filled withwater. Bathtubs comprised25 to 31 percent of drownings during that same time (Jumbelic and Chambliss1952). When the pool is in use,special care must be taken to ensure that children who cannot swim andyoung swimmers are always under supervision. The importance of following established medical procedures isdramatically illustrated by the experience of a two year old in Salt LakeCity who was revived 66 minutes after she fell into an ice-cold (41 degreeFahrenheit) creek. When this occurs, it is imperative thatresponsible adults be trained in emergency procedures. A nasogastric tube should not be inserted until theairway is protected. Hypothermic victims should not be rewarmed byexternal means, and multiple or repeated cardiac drugs should not be usedin cases of severe hypothermia. The bucketswere engaged in a variety of household chores, with most being used to mopfloors. Even supervised childrencan end up near drowning victims. Nurses who find themselves present when a near drowning occurs are ina unique position to help the victim. "Rescuing a Spinal Cord Injury Victim from a Pool." Nursing 19 (May 1989): 58-64.Beyda, David, et al. Thisoccurs when peripheral and splanchnic vasoconstriction in prolongedhypothermia forces tissues into an anaerobic metabolic state. In one study whichtracked the progress of near drowning victims, more than 19 percent diedafter they reached the hospital and professional assistance. Families with pools should make sure that the pool is fenced andgated properly whenever the pool is not in use. Household chores such as cleaning require that adults divide theirattention between the task at hand and watching the children in the area.If possible, adults responsible for the cleaning should try to do it whenthe children are not in the area; for example, when the children aresleeping, at school, or at a neighbors. To this end, early resuscitationprocedures have been developed since the care received immediately afterthe child is pulled from the water may determine the amount and extent ofbrain damage suffered. Two hours after her rescue she was placed on aheart-lung pump equipped with a warmer. In most cases, children were left unattended. Resisting the urge to rewarm hypothermia victims is difficult forthose lacking medical training. She apparentlyescaped serious brain damage because the cold was quick and severe, and hercells stopped burning oxygen almost immediately after immersion ("ToddlerRevived" 62). 199 ): 1952-1953."Toddler Revived After Hour Underwater." Science News 134 (23 Jul. Episodes such as this demonstrate the need for an educated publicwith regard to drownings, and the importance of quick, decisive actionafter victims are rescued. Cases in which childrenare found floating and breathing, or struggling, are not included. Since it isimpossible for a child to be watched 1 percent of the time, thoseresponsible for children need to be aware of the potential hazardsassociated with drowning and the need for increased vigilance when childrenare in those situations. These buckets areconstructed of sturdy plastic with parallel sides. Such heroics often lead tomore than one victim and decrease the chances of survival for the initialvictim. Inadequate gates and latches were tallied separately from thefence and accounted for 19 percent of the drownings ("Child Drownings"68 ). Her body temperature was 65 F when she was pulled fromthe water and CPR began. Thevolume of water in the buckets ranged from 1 to 9 percent. 199 ): 68 .Jumbelic, Mary and Michael Chambliss. Efforts should begin at once todetermine the circumstances, length and cause of immersion.

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