Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children, especially in developing countries like Vietnam. Every year, thousands of children lose their lives to drowning accidents, leaving behind endless pain for their families and communities.
In Vietnam, statistics from the Department of Environmental Management show that each year on average more than 370,000 children suffer from accidents and injuries. Among the causes of death due to injury in children, drowning is the leading cause with 3,500 children and adolescents aged 0-19 dying each year, equivalent to about 10 children dying each day. Among age groups, children aged 0-4 years old have the highest drowning death rate at about 36%, the 15-19 age group only accounts for about 16%; 5-9 years old accounts for 25%, the 10-14 age group accounts for a rate almost equivalent to the 5-9 age group (26%).
Despite the devastating consequences, drowning occurs very quickly. The victim has only 1 minute from the time of symptoms until he sinks into the water. From the time the victim stops breathing, it only takes about 3 minutes for the brain to begin to be damaged and within 8 minutes the victim can die if not rescued and given first aid promptly. However, detecting a drowning person is very difficult if you do not pay close attention due to the following characteristics:
- Drowning usually happens very quickly, the victim can sink below the water’s surface within about 1 minute.
- Drowning victims often struggle in a ‘climbing’ position that can easily be confused with playing or swimming.
- The victim cannot call for help because he is trying to hold his breath or the water enters the trachea.
Why is drowning so fast and dangerous? Let’s learn about how drowning happens to have the right and timely prevention and rescue methods.
1. The victim panicked and struggled.
When drowning, the victim will panic and struggle in a ‘ladder climbing’ position. With characteristics such as: ‘Climbing’ in an upright position, face towards the shore, head tilted back trying to keep nose and mouth above water.
However, if people on the shore do not pay close attention, they will mistake the victim for swimming or ‘treading water’ because the actions are quite similar. Even if a person is swimming underwater, it is difficult for them to know that the person is drowning because they cannot see the ‘ladder climbing’ posture struggling underwater and it is difficult to see the victim because at this time only the victim’s mouth and nose are above the water.
2. Inhale water and liquid into the trachea
Even though the victim tries to hold his breath, water still enters the trachea (airway). Water can enter the trachea directly or the victim swallows water and then vomits the liquid, which gets into the trachea. When water or fluid enters the trachea, the epiglottis (in the trachea in the neck) reflexively closes to prevent water from entering the lungs. The victim cannot open the epiglottis himself. Therefore at this point the victim cannot call for help, contrary to the common misconception that the victim will call for help.
Epiglottis opening (right side) and closing (left side)
At the same time, the victim cannot breathe on his own. This leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain, and after a short period of time, about 3 minutes after the victim stops breathing, brain damage will begin. Therefore, it is necessary to bring the victim to shore and give first aid as soon as possible. In this case, perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to bring oxygen from the blood to the brain to sustain life until medical help arrives.
Be careful not to lift the drowning person up and shake the water out because this action does not help the heart supply oxygen to the brain, and also wastes the victim’s ‘golden time’.
3. Breath-holding threshold and breathing reflex
The breathing reflex occurs due to the concentration of CO2 in the blood. When CO2 levels rise to the Breath Hold Threshold, the Breathing Reflex occurs. The victim cannot hold his breath of his own accord At this time some water will enter the lungs
Often occurs at swimming pools or while participating in water activities For example, children compete in holding their breath underwater or swimming the longest on one breath. The lack of oxygen makes the swimmer feel excited, not uncomfortable, so he holds his breath until he passes out. Occurs without warning. At the same time, when this phenomenon occurs, the victim has used up almost all the oxygen in the blood, so he will die faster than normal drowning.
4. Water in the lungs- Dry Drowning
This is a phenomenon in which the victim inhales water into the lungs, preventing the lungs from supplying oxygen to the blood, causing pulmonary edema, respiratory failure leading to death, usually occurring within 1 – 72 hours after contact with water or choking on water. Drowning on land is rare but still happens if the symptoms are not recognized promptly. Symptoms of dry drowning include fatigue, difficulty breathing, irritability, coughing, lack of awareness, etc. If you see the above signs or are not sure if the signs are correct, you need to take the victim immediately to the nearest medical facility for examination, monitoring and intervention.
Drowning is not always fatal, however, if the victim is saved, the consequences of drowning can still seriously affect health. People who drown often suffer from lung complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia… due to lack of oxygen in the body. Another complication of drowning that can have serious consequences is brain damage or physical damage… In particular, people who drown can also fall into a permanent vegetative state.
Bringing drowning people to shore and providing timely first aid to drowning victims is very important.
