Submersion (Responder) Scenario

What is your first priority when responding to a drowning incident?

The lifeguard is alerted to the distressed swimmer and jumps into the water to rescue them. If you were on your own and the person was conscious but struggling in the water, what actions could you do?

The lifeguard pulls the swimmer to the edge of the pool and you assist in pulling them out of the water. You request back up and you’re advised they will get there as soon as they can. What should be your first actions on caring for the patient?

The patient is laying in front of you on their back, they are semi-conscious with lots of water in their mouth and are coughing and spluttering. You noticed that they felt cold when you pulled them out of the water. What should be your priority?

You recognise that the airway is compromised and needs attention. What simple manoeuvre can be completed to manage the airway?

You place the patient on their side and a lot of water exits their airway. They start to cough violently and take deep gasps in between. What should you do?

After a few good coughs, the patient seems to have gotten the water out of their airway. They are still in a semi-conscious state, and as you continue to manage them, their breathing suddenly slows to around 4 breaths per minute. What should you do now? 

You assist with ventilation using a BVM and O2. You are getting some difficulty with the mask seal. What actions could you try to better the ventilations? 

On drying the face and applying a head tilt chin lift, you are now getting a good seal and ventilation of the patient. How many respirations should you aim to give every minute?

After around 2 minutes of ventilating the patient, their breathing returns to normal and they become more alert. You review Airway and Breathing again, and you’re happy that they are being self-managed by the patient. What is the next assessment in the primary survey?

You review circulation as best you can, and the patient has a strong and bounding radial pulse. The lifeguard is now out of the pool and comes to assist you, they start taking basic observations. The lifeguard notes oxygen saturation levels of 89%. What should you do?

You place 100% O2 and continue with your assessment. On disability, you note the patient isn’t interacting normally and they seem confused. What could cause a confused presentation in a patient?

You don’t have any further monitoring equipment to be able to determine further assessment and will pass on the information to the Paramedics when they arrive. On environment, you note the patient has started to shiver and is cold to the touch. Is it important to try and warm them following a drowning incident?

The Paramedics arrive, and you give them a handover of the events and treatments you’ve provided. The patient is still confused and on assessment they discover that they are hypoglycaemic. What does this mean?

What is considered hypoglycaemic in a non-diabetic patient?