What is the first help drowning?

Most of us in one way or another connected with water, especially in the summer in the heat or during the holidays (water tourism, fishing, vacation at sea). But this kind of rest sometimes brings not only joy, but, unfortunately, grief. The cause of the tragedy in this case is most often drowning. Human death occurs when water enters the lungs, causing their edema. Because of the lack of oxygen, the whole body suffers. And if the first help is not rendered in time by the drowning man, then the heart stops, and the brain dies.

There are several types of drowning :

• Primary.
• Asphyxic.
• Secondary.

The reason for the primary drowning is, as a rule, the ingress of water into the lungs, such cases are more than 70%. The face and neck of a drowning person turn into a bluish color. As a rule, pinkish foam is allocated from the nose and mouth: it is a plasma that foams when it enters the vocal cicle, thereby causing pulmonary edema. There is a strong cough. Assisting the drowning in the initial stage is to prevent vomiting when vomiting occurs. Then, feel the pulse and examine the pupils. Then you need to put the injured person so that the head is below the pelvis and with two fingers to release the oral cavity. After that, push as far as possible onto the root of the tongue and induce a vomitive reflex. If vomiting followed, then, as soon as possible, release the lungs and stomach from the liquid. To do this, press down on the root of the tongue for 5-10 minutes and simultaneously pat on the back. After the procedure is completed, put the person on their side.

In the event that vomiting and coughing did not occur, first aid to the drowning person should begin with the fact that the victim should be immediately shifted to his back and as soon as possible proceed to a massage of the heart alternating with the breath "mouth to mouth". Resuscitation, as a rule, begins with a precordial impact. The victim is placed on any surface and causes a short severe impact in the lower third of the sternum (remember the ratio of age and body weight). After that, immediately check the pulse on the carotid artery. Sometimes, one stroke is enough to "start" the heart. If the precordial blow did not bring the desired result, it is necessary to begin resuscitation in full. You need to kneel to the left of the victim and put both hands on the lower part of the sternum, but not more than 1.5-2 cm to the left of the middle line. Then, with short jerks and with a frequency of 60-80 beats per minute, press on the sternum. It is necessary to watch, that it moved inside in adults by 3-5 cm, in adolescents by 2-3 cm, in infants by 1 cm. To a child up to 1 year, such a massage of the heart should be done with one thumb. It must be combined with artificial respiration. When first aid is found to be drowning not by experts, it is often forgotten that after two "blowing" air in a row it is necessary to produce 15 heart pushes. This procedure is carried out for 30-40 minutes, even if there are no signs of improvement. After the appearance of the pulse and breathing, the victim is turned over on the stomach.

Asphyxic drowning is only 10-30% of cases. This occurs when the victim is physically unable to resist drowning (alcohol intoxication, a strong blow to the water). Due to irritating effects, for example from cold water, there is a spasm of the glottis. Death occurs because of hypoxia, that is, from oxygen starvation. Such drowning is also called dry. First aid drowning in this case is reduced to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is believed that in the icy water the victim has more to save than in a warm one. This is due to the fact that in the cold, the body temperature drops sharply, so the victim almost stops metabolism, and due to this, the time reserve for salvation increases.

Secondary drowning occurs as a result of cardiac arrest when the victim falls into cold water. There is a reaction to the ingress of water into the cavity of the middle ear, provided that the tympanic membrane is damaged , or in the respiratory tract. With secondary drowning, edema of the lungs does not occur, but spasm of peripheral vessels occurs. External signs are pale skin and dilated pupils. Breathing will be rapid, and after a long stay under water it will be rare. When ingestion of seawater rapidly occurs pulmonary edema, tachycardia or extrasystole. The first help drowning in this case lies in the activities for resuscitation of the pulse and respiration.

Do not forget! First aid to a drowning man can save his life. The main thing is to understand the reason initially and not panic. If possible, provide resuscitation for at least 40 minutes, even if there are no improvements.