chapter 19 water emergencies. lesson objectives assess and manage submersion incidents. assess and...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 19
Water Emergencies
Lesson Objectives
• Assess and manage submersion incidents.• Assess and manage scuba diving injuries,
including breathing-gas problems and decompression illnesses.
• Assess and manage marine animal stings, including those from Portuguese man-of-war, jellyfish, and sea anemone, as well as other marine organisms.
Submersion Incidents (1 of 3)
• Drowning is defined as “the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid.”
• Most submersion incidents are preventable.
Submersion Incidents (2 of 3)
• What to look for:– Victim struggling in the water.– Victim floating motionless.– Victim lying at the bottom of a body of water.
• What to do:– Assess your own resources and abilities.– Rescue the victim. Remember to reach, throw,
row, and go.
Submersion Incidents (3 of 3)
• What to do (continued):– Open victim’s airway and provide rescue
breathing, as needed.– Perform resuscitation, as needed.– Evacuate all victims who have been resuscitated.– Observe victims closely who do not require
resuscitation.
Scuba Diving Injuries (1 of 7)
• Scuba: self-contained underwater breathing apparatus
• Divers should be familiar with medical problems from their certified training course.
• Non-divers should know the basic problems that divers might face and how to provide appropriate treatment.
Scuba Diving Injuries (2 of 7)
• Breathing-gas problems– As depth and pressure increase, more gases
are able to dissolve in the blood.– Excessive oxygen in the blood can cause
visual changes, confusion, and seizures.– Increased nitrogen can cause nitrogen
narcosis.– Hypoxia occurs when breathing air is used up.
Scuba Diving Injuries (3 of 7)
• Decompression illnesses (dysbarism)– Decompression
sickness (“the bends”)
– Arterial gas embolism (AGE)
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Scuba Diving Injuries (4 of 7)
• Decompression illnesses (dysbarism)– What to look for: AGE
• Unconsciousness• Paralysis or weakness• Convulsions• Cardiac/respiratory arrest• Dizziness or visual problems
Scuba Diving Injuries (5 of 7)
• Decompression illnesses (dysbarism)– What to look for: Decompression sickness
• Joint or limb pain• Paralysis• Fatigue and weakness• Breathing difficulty• Numbness or tingling• Rash
Scuba Diving Injuries (6 of 7)
• Decompression illnesses (dysbarism)– What to do:
• Evaluate breathing and resuscitate as needed.• Give 100% oxygen.• Place victim in recovery position.• Give victim sips of water if conscious and alert.• Protect from excessive cold and heat.• Protect from injury if seizure occurs.
Scuba Diving Injuries (7 of 7)
• Decompression illnesses (dysbarism)– What to do (continued):
• Evaluate for other injuries.
• Do a neurologic exam.
• Contact local EMS and DAN (Divers Alert Network)
• Get the victim with decompression sickness to recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber.
Courtesy of NOAA
Marine Animal Stings (1 of 6)
• Portuguese man-of-war• Jellyfish• Sea anemone
Marine Animal Stings (2 of 6)
• What to look for:– Pain, varying in severity– Whiplike streaks on the skin– Blisters, welts, scattered red blotches
within 24 hours– In severe cases: headache, dizziness,
paralysis, and anaphylaxis– Possible coelenterate poisoning
Marine Animal Stings (3 of 6)
• What to do:– Rinse with sea water.– Do not touch tentacles with your bare hands.– Apply vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or household
ammonia for 30 minutes.– Apply shaving cream or baking soda paste and
shave the area to remove nematocysts.
Marine Animal Stings (4 of 6)
• What to do:– Reapply vinegar or alcohol and soak for
another 15 minutes.– Apply hydrocortisone cream, antihistamine
cream, or anesthetic ointment twice a day.
Marine Animal Stings (5 of 6)
• Other marine life– Stingrays– Sea urchins– Catfish– Stonefish– Scorpion fish
Marine Animal Stings (6 of 6)
• Other marine life– What to do:
• Irrigate with water.• Soak in hot water for 30 to 90 minutes.• Remove obvious pieces of barb.• Treat as a puncture wound.• Seek medical attention promptly.• Consider a tetanus booster.