Near Drowning
Alternate Names : Drowning - Near
Definition Near drowning is suffocation from being submerged in water or other fluid.
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Overview & Considerations
In the United States, drowning claims between 6,000 to 8,000 lives annually.
All near-drowning victims should be checked by a doctor. Even though victims may revive quickly at the scene, lung complications are common.
A person who is drowning usually can't shout for help, so it's important to be alert for signs of drowning. Most drownings occur within a short distance of safety. Suspect an accident if you see someone in the water fully clothed. Watch for uneven swimming motions, which indicate a swimmer is getting tired. Often the body sinks, and only the head shows above the water.
In a near-drowning emergency, immediate action and first aid can prevent death.
It may be possible to revive a drowning victim even after a prolonged period of submersion, especially if the victim was in very cold water.
Children can drown in only a few inches of water.
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