Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fresh water drowning and near-drowning-an update

  • Published:
Canadian Anaesthetists’ Society Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Conclusion

The current status of fresh water near-drowning including some recent advances has been reviewed, with particular emphasis on cerebral salvage. The goal of paramount importance is intact cerebral survival after near-drowning but sadly death and incomplete recovery remain persistent problems. The use of a neurological classification is presented which has facilitated clinical and therapeutic studies. Aggressive therapeutic measures are described which have reduced morbidity and mortality but may easily lead to “vegetative” survival of some cases who formerly died. Many factors which affect prognosis are discussed but most are uncontrolled and uncontrollable.

Experimental investigations are reported which led to the concept of acute submersion hypothermia which is probably the dominating factor in delaying irreversible brain damage while drowning. The “acute submersion hypothermia syndrome” is proposed to emphasize the value of immediate resuscitation under appropriate circumstances, of all cases of near-drowning in cold fresh water.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Winston JC. The Winston Dictionary. College Ed. Toronto: JC Winston Co, 1947,

    Google Scholar 

  2. Trunkey DB. Trauma. Scient Am 1983; 249: 28–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Schuman SH, Rowe JR, Glazier HAL, Redding JS. The iceberg phenomenort of near-drowning. Crit Care Med 1976; 4: 127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Corm AW, Ecbnond, JF, Barker GA. Cerebral resuscitation in near-drowning. Paed Clin N Am 1979; 26: 691–701.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Corm AW. Near drowning in fresh water. World Fed Sue Anaesth Lecture Series (Vol. I) Oxford: Blackwells, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Conn AW, Bunegin L, Gelineau J, Albin MS, Smith B. Acute submersion hypotherrnia in dogs. (In Press.)

  7. Modell JH, Graves SA, Kuck EJ. Near-drowning: Correlation of level of consciousness and survival. Can Anaesth Soc J 1980; 27: 211–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Conn AW, Montes JE, Barker GA, Edmonds JF. Cerebral salvage in aear-drowning following neurological classificalion by triage. Can Anae.sth $oe J 1980; 27: 201–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Corm AW, Barker GA, Edmonds JF, Bohn DJ. Submersion hypothermia and near-drowning, Chapter Xm. The nature and treatment of hypotherrma. Pozos

  10. RS, Wittmers LE, Eds. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1983.

  11. Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. Lancet 1974; 2: 81–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Corm AW, Edmoms JF, Barker GA. Near-drowning in cold fresh water: Current treatment regimen. Can Anaesth Soc J 1978; 25:259 65.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Personal Communication - Prof. John Hayward. Gilbertson L, Safar P, Stezosk W, Bircher N. Pattern of dying during cold water drowning in dogs. Presented at 11th Annual Mtg. S.C.C.M June 3, 1982. (St. Louis)

  14. Jacobsen WK, Mason LJ, Bribbs BA, Schneider S, Thompson JC. Correlation of spontaneous respiration and neurologic damage in near-drowning. Crit 15 Care Med 1983; lh 487–9. RevensrorfW. Uber den Welt der Krysoskopie zur Diagnose des Todes durch Ena'inken. Muenchen Meal Wschr 1902; 2: 1880–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesia, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, M5G 1X8, Toronto, Ontario

    A. W. Conn & G. A. Barker

Authors
  1. A. W. Conn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. A. Barker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Conn, A.W., Barker, G.A. Fresh water drowning and near-drowning-an update. Can Anaesth Soc J 31 (Suppl 3), S38–S44 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03007034

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03007034

Keywords

Search

Navigation