Drowning does not look like drowning - reminder

NH_boater · 06-05-2013, 09:35 PM

Been posted here before but may be a good reminder as swimming season approaches. If it helps just one person, its is worth posting again.

http://mobile.slate.com/articles/hea...EaVe4f%26s%3D1

I hope the link works OK. Sorry for those who have seen this before.

Par Four · 06-06-2013, 07:06 PM

Thanks for posting this important reminder. In my opinion his could be re-posted monthly and it would not be too often.

Regular readers will recognize it, remember it, and easily move on to the next posting with zero inconvenience. But the value in regular posting might be the catching the eye of occasional readers,and seasonal folks who are gearing up for their relatively few days in and around the water.

Safety is important for all of us.

SAMIAM · 06-07-2013, 07:48 AM

Very helpful post.....everyone that spends time around water should read it

PaugusBayFireFighter · 06-07-2013, 08:20 AM

I'm not trying to be "Mr. Medic" here but there's another situation I used to instruct my fellow first responders when dealing with, not just drowning victims, but any person who becomes unresponsive while outdoors during the summer months.
We have all walked on the street or other surfaces while barefoot and got the inevitable super "hot foot". Imagine a very common scenario where a person collapses, for whatever reason, and is carried to or found lying unconscious on the street or sidewalk. They could lie there for 10 minutes plus before EMS arrives. During that time they may be lying on a 120+ degree hard top. They may survive the initial problem but end up with severe burns to their body. There are many documented cases of this and it's more common than you think. You should do one of two things for the person down on a hot surface. If they have any chance of head injury avoid moving them but cool the surface with some water if possible. If they can be moved safely put them on grass or something that is cooler than the frying pan they currently occupy. During an emergency this problem is overlooked and could end up being a much bigger problem than the original medical emergency.
Keep them cool!!!

Barney Bear · 06-07-2013, 10:43 AM

Thank you PBFF for your valuable advice!!!

06-05-2013, 09:35 PM	#1
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	Drowning does not look like drowning - reminder Been posted here before but may be a good reminder as swimming season approaches. If it helps just one person, its is worth posting again. http://mobile.slate.com/articles/hea...EaVe4f%26s%3D1 I hope the link works OK. Sorry for those who have seen this before.

06-07-2013, 08:20 AM	#4
PaugusBayFireFighter Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 837 Thanks: 361 Thanked 674 Times in 264 Posts	Something to think about with summer I'm not trying to be "Mr. Medic" here but there's another situation I used to instruct my fellow first responders when dealing with, not just drowning victims, but any person who becomes unresponsive while outdoors during the summer months. We have all walked on the street or other surfaces while barefoot and got the inevitable super "hot foot". Imagine a very common scenario where a person collapses, for whatever reason, and is carried to or found lying unconscious on the street or sidewalk. They could lie there for 10 minutes plus before EMS arrives. During that time they may be lying on a 120+ degree hard top. They may survive the initial problem but end up with severe burns to their body. There are many documented cases of this and it's more common than you think. You should do one of two things for the person down on a hot surface. If they have any chance of head injury avoid moving them but cool the surface with some water if possible. If they can be moved safely put them on grass or something that is cooler than the frying pan they currently occupy. During an emergency this problem is overlooked and could end up being a much bigger problem than the original medical emergency. Keep them cool!!! Last edited by PaugusBayFireFighter; 06-09-2013 at 01:50 PM.

06-07-2013, 10:43 AM	#5
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Valuable Information Thank you PBFF for your valuable advice!!!

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06-06-2013, 07:06 PM	#2
Par Four Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central MA Posts: 77 Thanks: 23 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for posting this important reminder. In my opinion his could be re-posted monthly and it would not be too often. Regular readers will recognize it, remember it, and easily move on to the next posting with zero inconvenience. But the value in regular posting might be the catching the eye of occasional readers,and seasonal folks who are gearing up for their relatively few days in and around the water. Safety is important for all of us.

06-07-2013, 07:48 AM	#3
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,836 Thanks: 326 Thanked 1,626 Times in 562 Posts	Very helpful post.....everyone that spends time around water should read it

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to PaugusBayFireFighter For This Useful Post:
Just Sold (06-07-2013), Lakegeezer (06-07-2013), Newbiesaukee (06-07-2013), Par Four (06-07-2013)