Background: As the summer approaches, many people go for swimming but sometimes this pleasurable activity has no happy ending. Drowning is an important health problem but often neglected. It is defined as choking (breathing problems) as a result of immersion in a fluid. Every summer, media publish reports of deaths due to drowning and warn people about it. However, many people recognize the risk of drowning only on the populous beaches not wherever close to water, like a bathtub or a large water puddle in the courtyard corner. The world total deaths due to drowning is estimated to be 6.8/100,000 people which is the second common cause of unintentional mortalities after road accidents. Most drownings occur in provincial beaches, but other parts of the country account for a significant proportion of injuries and deaths due to drowning/choking in water. This study aimed at investigating the epidemiologic aspects of drownings in Mashhad during 2014-2017. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data from the epidemiological survey of drowning cases during 2014-2017 were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The total number of drownings reported to the Emergency Department during this period was 68. Most of which occurred in 2015 (35%), 26% of cases occurred in urban and 74% in rural areas. 75% were men and 25% women. 19% of deaths associated with drowning. 15% of drowning events occurred in recreational sport centers. Most cases were under 5 years old (45%), followed by adolescents and young groups (35%). Conclusion: Most of the drowning victims were children. Therefore, it is essential for parents to protect their children close to water, especially in private areas such as pools in gardens. We should make such places safe. Special attention should also be given to safety equipment, protection and training in public swimming pools and recreational facilities.
Background: Drowning occurs when the respiratory tract is blocked by any type of fluid. The factors other than hypoxia can cause death. When water enters the trachea, intense spasm of the larynx causes the trachea to close, so that more water cannot enter the lungs. Sometimes, the spasm may not occur, and the large amount of water entering the lungs lead to drowning. Methods: This article is a review and analysis of academic texts. Results: 90% of drowning cases occur in freshwaters such as rivers and pools. Drowning in fresh water and entering a large amount of pool or river water into the lungs and stomach is much more dangerous than swallowing a lot of sea water. Swallowing plenty of freshwater leads to quick absorption into blood from the gastrointestinal tract due to a lower osmotic pressure than blood; therefore, it increases blood volume in a short amount of time that results in the loss of red blood cells (hemolysis). Unlike freshwater, saltwater does not induce the above complications because of having the equal osmotic pressure to blood, and it just increases slightly sodium and chlorine causing mild symptoms. For this reason, swimmers are advised that if they swallow a lot of water, they try to remove it from the abdomen, and even if they are in a good condition, they should go to the hospital to control the blood electrolytes, as the symptoms may develop within the next few hours. Conclusion:The risk of drowning is not merely on busy beaches and can threaten people wherever there is water. Given the possible complications that may occur due to the ingestion of plenty of water after swimming in these places, education and increasing knowledge of people, as well as observing the safety points in this regard is necessary.
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