injuries poisoning
Drowning
Introduction
Drowning is respiratory impairment resulting from submersion in a liquid medium. It can be nonfatal (previously called near drowning) or fatal. Drowning results in hypoxia, which can damage multiple organs, particularly the brain. Treatment is supportive, including reversal of respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest, hypoxia, hypoventilation, and hypothermia. Drowning is among the top 10 causes of mortality for children and young people worldwide. In 2020 in the US, drowning was the leading cause of injury mortality in children aged 1 to 4 years and was second only to motor vehicle collisions for children aged 5 to 9 years; drowning also was among the top 10 causes of unintentional death in all ages under 55 years ( General references ). Groups at high risk of drowning death include the following: Children from African American, Native American, immigrant, or impoverished families ( General references ) Children who have not received formal swimming lessons and are unsupervised around water ( General references ) Males (80% of victims over age 1 year are male) People who have used alcohol or other drugs that affect judgment and alertness People with conditions that cause temporary incapacitation (eg, epilepsy [ General references ], which is associated with a 20 times increased chance of drowning among children and adolescents) People with Overview of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathies , including People who engage in Dangerous underwater breath-holding behaviors (DUBBs) None Drowning is common in pools, hot tubs, and natural water settings, and, among infants and toddlers, in toilets, bathtubs, and buckets of water or cleaning fluids. Nonfatal drownings are more common than fatal drownings; for every child that dies of drowning, approximately 7 receive emergency department care. About 40% of those treated in emergency departments require admission to the hospital ( General references ). 