Advanced Drowning Management: Pathophysiology and Evidence-Based Treatment

To access this video, please log in or sign up as a Member.

Join Dave Jerome, emergency and wilderness medicine expert, in this comprehensive World Extreme Medicine webinar on drowning management. Drawing from extensive research and clinical experience, Jerome covers crucial topics including:

Current definitions and classification of drowning episodes.
Epidemiology and trimodal distribution of drowning victims.
Detailed pathophysiology of drowning and its hypoxic effects.
Evidence-based management strategies for different grades of drowning.
Debunking common myths about drowning treatment.
Unique challenges in wilderness and remote settings.
Cold water immersion and its physiological effects.
Prevention strategies and public health considerations.

Whether you’re a wilderness medicine professional, emergency responder, or outdoor enthusiast, this webinar provides invaluable insights to help you understand, assess, and treat drowning victims effectively. Learn how to make critical decisions and implement the latest evidence-based strategies to save lives in water-related emergencies. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of drowning management from one of the field’s leading experts!

More Information

Length: 49m

Guests: Dave Jerome

Host: Eoin Walker

Categories: Dive Medicine

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Define drowning using the current WHO consensus definition and explain the importance of consistent terminology in drowning management.

2. Describe the trimodal distribution of drowning victims and identify the unique characteristics and risk factors for each group.

3. Explain the pathophysiology of drowning, including laryngospasm, surfactant washout, and foam production, and their implications for patient management.

4. Apply the drowning severity classification system (grades 1-6) to assess and triage drowning victims effectively.

5. Implement evidence-based management strategies for drowning patients, focusing on reversing hypoxia through appropriate oxygenation and PEEP.

6. Differentiate between foam and vomit in drowning victims and explain the appropriate management of each.

7. Critically evaluate the use of cervical spine precautions in drowning victims based on current evidence and recommendations.

8. Describe the appropriate use and limitations of investigations such as chest X-rays and ABGs in drowning patients.

9. Explain the rationale behind avoiding certain interventions in drowning management, including diuretics, corticosteroids, and empiric antibiotics.

10. Discuss the potential role and current limitations of advanced interventions such as ECMO in severe drowning cases.

11. Outline appropriate observation periods and criteria for evacuation decisions in remote or wilderness settings.

12. Explain the physiological effects of cold water immersion, including the mammalian dive reflex and cold shock response, and their implications for survival and resuscitation.

13. Discuss current research on autonomic conflict and its potential role in unexplained deaths in drowning incidents.

14. Identify key drowning prevention strategies and discuss challenges in effectively communicating these to at-risk populations.