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Published on: January 28, 2020
Non-Fatal Drowning: Measuring Respiratory Rate as Part of "Beach-Side" Clinical Assessment of Physiological
1Irish College of GPs and UCC and Cardiff University, Wales.
Abstract:
An average of 115 people drown in Ireland each year. Drowning is the third commonest cause of unintentional injury-related death globally. The United Nations 'Global Drowning Prevention' resolution was adopted in April 2021. The WHO recognises almost 360,000 drownings annually. There are an estimated 8-10 non-fatal drownings for each fatal drowning. The evidence base underpinning clinical management of non-fatal drowning is sparse. The use of respiratory rate in non-fatal drowning may provide a "beach-side" objective, quantifiable clinical measure of evolving physiological respiratory stress.
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