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Related Experiment Videos

In-water resuscitation--is it worthwhile?

David Szpilman1, Márcio Soares

  • 1Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro-Drowning Resuscitation Center of Barra da Tijuca (CBMERJ-GMAR-GSE), Av. das Américas 3555, Bloco 2, sala 302, Rio de Janeiro RJ 22793-004, Brazil. szpilman@globo.com

Resuscitation
|September 29, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Immediate in-water resuscitation (IWR) significantly improves survival rates for drowning victims compared to delayed efforts. While IWR reduces mortality, longer cardiopulmonary arrest times increase the risk of poor outcomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  • Drowning Victim Rescue

Background:

  • Lack of established guidelines for optimal drowning victim resuscitation.
  • Need to compare immediate in-water resuscitation (IWR) versus delayed resuscitation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare outcomes of immediate in-water resuscitation (IWR) versus delayed resuscitation for non-breathing drowning victims.
  • To identify factors influencing survival and neurological damage.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 46 non-breathing drowning victims rescued by lifeguards.
  • Comparison of outcomes between IWR and no-IWR (NIWR) groups.
  • Assessment of mortality and severe neurological damage (SND) as poor outcomes.

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Main Results:

  • IWR group had significantly lower mortality rates (15.8% vs. 85.2%).
  • Longer cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) duration (>14 min) was uniquely associated with poor outcomes (OR = 1.77).
  • IWR was found to be protective against death (OR = 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Delaying resuscitation efforts is associated with worse outcomes in drowning incidents.
  • Immediate in-water resuscitation (IWR) improves survival likelihood.
  • An algorithm for IWR indications was developed to enhance safety and effectiveness.