Preventive measures to help children avoid drowning

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Le Thanh Cam - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Usually during the summer vacation, many families, agencies and schools will organize for students to go on vacation or swim in the sea. In many rural areas, children will also invite each other to cool off in rivers, streams, ponds, lakes... so the risk of children drowning is very high.
Drowning is a condition that occurs when water enters the respiratory tract, causing the organs to be deprived of oxygen leading to the cessation of vital body functions.
According to statistics, about 4/5 cases of drowning have water in the lungs and the remaining 1/5 drown but there is no water in the lungs.
The state of drowning without water in the lungs is due to the reflex contraction of the epiglottis muscle and the closure of the trachea, making the victim unable to breathe, leading to cerebral hypoxia and unconsciousness. Because the epiglottis is closed, water cannot enter the lungs. That is also called dry drowning.
Therefore, when experiencing a drowning case, it is necessary to know first-aid methods to conduct urgent, persistent, on-the-spot treatment to free the airways.

Proper first aid for a drowning child is especially important, not only to save the child's life, but also to avoid serious consequences later. Here are some first aid measures when a child is drowning that parents should know:
Step 1: Quickly get the child out of the water, bring the child to the shore and call for help.
Step 2: Put the child in a dry, ventilated place and keep the child warm.
Step 3: If the child is unconscious, check for breathing by observing the movement of the chest. If the chest is not moving, meaning the child has stopped breathing, give artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth ventilation) immediately.
Place the child on the flat surface with the head slightly tilted back, remove the mucus and foreign objects in the child's mouth. Cover your child's nose with your thumb and index finger, then take a deep breath and then blow the air directly through the mouth. After 5 times of artificial respiration, but the child is still unable to breathe or is still pale and comatose, it is considered that the child's heart has stopped beating, it is necessary to press the heart outside the chest immediately. How to press on the lower half of the sternum is done as follows:
Use 2 thumbs (for children under 1 year old) to press in the middle and below the line connecting the nipples 1 finger (about the width of one finger). Use 1 hand (for children aged 1-8 years) or 2 hands placed on top of each other (for children younger than 8 years old) to press on the top of the sternum 2 fingers. Perform chest compressions and rescue breaths in a ratio of 5/1 or 15/2 (depending on the age of the child).

It should be noted that these first aid actions must still be continued on the way to transport the injured child to a medical facility, which sometimes takes hours or longer. In the case of only one rescuer, for every 30 compressions, give 2 breaths. If there are 2 people in the same emergency, then 15 times of chest compressions, 2 times of CPR. Persevere until the pulse beats and the child can breathe again. If the child is still able to breathe on his own, let him lie on his side. Take off wet clothes, keep warm. Take the child to the nearest hospital as soon as possible because recurrent shortness of breath may occur. Step 4: The child will vomit a lot of water when he wakes up, so it is necessary to put the child in a lying position, with pillows on both shoulders, widening clothes to prevent the child from suffocating again.
Step 5: Check the child's body for any spinal fractures or other bone and joint injuries. If present, quickly immobilize the neck with a splint.
Step 6: If the first aid is effective, the child breathes again, struggles, or is still comatose but has a pulse and breathing rhythm, call an ambulance or use all available means to move to a medical facility nearest emergency resuscitation equipment. During the transportation process, it is still necessary to continue giving first aid and keeping the child warm.

Summer is coming, parents need to pay attention to the following measures to prevent drowning in children:
Absolutely do not let children play near ponds, lakes, rivers and streams where there is a lot of water without supervision. of parents; Do not allow children to bathe in rivers or jump bridges; Children must wear life jackets when participating in all types of water transport; Let children get used to the water and practice swimming to avoid drowning with parental supervision; Families with young children should not leave water bottles, buckets, or lids tightly closed so that children cannot open the lid. Child drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children, so parents need to understand the principles and measures to prevent drowning so that their children are always safe.
In the process of taking care of a child who needs consultation and examination, you can take your child to the Pediatrics Department at Vinmec General Hospital for advice and examination by experts. Here, based on the diagnosis results, the doctor will have a treatment method for each specific case to bring the best effect.