Drowning Awareness

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Drowning is respiratory impairment resulting from fluid engulfing the airway halting ones breathing. There are two common forms of drowning known as dry drowning and near drowning. Dry drowning involves water being found within ones lungs without being under water. This form of drowning occurs twenty-four hours after swimming. Near drowning is the process of almost dying due to being submerged under water. Incidences of drowning continue to rise within the healthcare field especially amongst children. The American National Red Cross provides a guideline to help limit the amount of risks for drowning. Many times when children have been involved in drowning is due to lack of knowledge about proper ways to swim. Also, encompassing a lack of supervision. Nurses play a vital role in providing the utmost care for children who have been involved in a drowning incident. Providing proper education about swimming and ways to minimize the risk for drowning can reduce the amount of drowning occurrences. Overall, drowning continues to be on the rise and needs to be properly addressed by health care professionals to reduce the amount of fatal and non-fatal drowning events.