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Childhood water submersion remains a major public health problem. The aim of this article is to present an updated overview of the topic with data from our region and special attention to prevention strategies. Children less than 5 years and males are particularly at risk. Infants are at higher risk of drowning in bathtubs, toilets, or washing machines, while most drowning in older children occurs in swimming pools. Poor supervision by inexperienced caregivers is a common factor and contributes to most deaths. Adolescents drown more often during outdoor water activity. Acute management should start as soon as possible in order to prevent unfavorable neurological outcome. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation should be started at the scene. Most children who were rescued quickly will recover neurologically intact. Restricting access to water and close adult supervision are paramount in preventing near-drowning and drowning. High-risk groups, such as new or young parents, and lower socioeconomic families, should be targeted by such prevention programs.

400,000 incidents of sea drowning take place every year. We report the case of a woman, 34 years old, attended on the beach by external hospital emergency services after suffering immersion in seawater resulting in drowning due to acute respiratory failure. She was admitted to the critical care unit and an emergency fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed, extracting a large quantity of sand and algae. The respiratory function improved and FiO2 requirements were gradually reduced following the procedure. After 8 days of mechanical ventilation the patient was extubated, with good clinical tolerance and was transferred to a ward.

Over the past four decades, we have learned considerably more about the pathophysiology and treatment of drowning. This, coupled with increased emphasis in improvement in water safety and resuscitation, has produced a threefold decrease in the number of deaths, indexed to population, from drowning in the United States yearly. This review presents the current status of our knowledge of the epidemiology, the pathophysiology of drowning and its treatment, updates the definitions of drowning and the drowning process, and makes suggestions for further improvement in water safety.

Introduction: We report a case of twin toddlers who both suffered near drowning but with different post-trauma treatment and course, and different neurological outcomes., Methods and Results: Two twin toddlers (a boy and girl, aged 2 years and 3 months) suffered hypothermic near drowning with protracted cardiac arrest and aspiration. The girl was treated with mild hypothermia for 72 hours and developed acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome and sepsis. She recovered without neurological deficit. The boy's treatment was conducted under normothermia without further complications. He developed an apallic syndrome., Conclusion: Although the twin toddlers experienced the same near drowning accident together, the outcomes with respect to neurological status and postinjury complications were completely different. One of the factors that possibly influenced the different postinjury course might have been prolonged mild hypothermia.

Background: The Dead Sea in Israel has a very high mineral content. Near-drowning in the Dead Sea is expected to result in severe electrolyte abnormalities and respiratory failure. Previous limited studies reported a high mortality rate., Objective: To evaluate the clinical and biochemical manifestations and disease outcome of near-drowning in the Dead Sea., Methods: Data were abstracted from the archives of Soroka University Medical Center. The cohort comprised 69 patients who nearly drowned in the Dead Sea., Results: The median age of the patients was 68 years (range 21-84). There were two major manifestations of near-drowning in the Dead Sea: electrolyte imbalance and acute lung injury. Serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorus (but not sodium, potassium and chloride) were abnormal in most patients. Median serum electrolyte levels (and range) on admission were 10.9 mg/dl (9-24) for calcium, 4.3 mg/dl (1-30) for magnesium, and 4.1 mg/dl (2-9) for phosphorus. These levels quickly normalized with forced diuresis within 24 hours. Acute lung injury--namely, hypoxic bilateral pneumonitis--occurred in 29 patients. Mechanical ventilation was required in 11 patients. Sixty-five patients recovered fully, while the remaining 4 had minor sequelae., Conclusions: Near-drowning in the Dead Sea is a syndrome of severe electrolyte abnormalities and lung injury. Early treatment with forced diuresis and supportive care results in prompt recovery.

Drowning and near-drowning can abruptly devastate the lives of both the affected victims and their families. In addition to the complications directly caused by the submersion, several indirect causes of morbidity exist. Infection is one of the complications associated with near-drowning, and pneumonia is the most severe of these infectious complications. The risk factors, microbiological causes, diagnostic approach, and appropriate therapy for pneumonia associated with near-drowning are not well described in the literature. Herein, we review the epidemiology and pathophysiology associated with near-drowning, discuss the potential mechanisms of infection, and describe the likely risk factors for pneumonia related to near-drowning. We also detail the microbiological causes of this entity and provide important clinical and epidemiological information associated with specific pathogens. Finally, we summarize an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach to pneumonia associated with near-drowning.

Young children continue to be victims of drowning and near-drowning. The pediatric critical care nurse is often called upon to care for a child following a near drowning event. The role of the nurse in assessment, early intervention and continuing critical care management, and primary prevention of water-related injuries are reviewed.