Open Water Drowning Open Water Drowning

PreventionPrevention

WHAMWHAM

WWhat risks are observed on scene?hat risks are observed on scene?

HHow can we keep from coming back?ow can we keep from coming back?

AAction to take to prevent future ction to take to prevent future injuriesinjuries

MMaterials to leave behind aterials to leave behind

WHAMWHAM

Drowning Drowning In Washington State:In Washington State:

• Males 15-24 y.o. and males 85+ y.o. have the highest Males 15-24 y.o. and males 85+ y.o. have the highest drowning death rates drowning death rates

• Approx 90% of older children and adolescents drowning Approx 90% of older children and adolescents drowning deaths occur in open water (lakes, rivers, the Sound, deaths occur in open water (lakes, rivers, the Sound, ocean)ocean)

Alcohol use and hazardous water conditions are Alcohol use and hazardous water conditions are common risk factors, esp. in teen drowningscommon risk factors, esp. in teen drownings

Most victims are not wearing a life jacketMost victims are not wearing a life jacket

For every drowning death that occurs, it is estimated For every drowning death that occurs, it is estimated that there are four near-drownings that result in that there are four near-drownings that result in hospitalizationhospitalization

You and your crew have been called to a You and your crew have been called to a nearby lake on the first hot day in early nearby lake on the first hot day in early summer. summer.

Your patient is a 15-year-old male who cut Your patient is a 15-year-old male who cut his foot on the rocks while swimming with his foot on the rocks while swimming with his friends. While his foot is being his friends. While his foot is being bandaged, you notice your patient and his bandaged, you notice your patient and his friends are shivering. You also notice that friends are shivering. You also notice that there are no life jackets present.there are no life jackets present.

WWhat risks are observed on hat risks are observed on scene?scene?

HHow can we keep from ow can we keep from coming back?coming back?

Talk about hypothermia:Talk about hypothermia:• Even when it is hot outside, water may be cold enough Even when it is hot outside, water may be cold enough

to cause hypothermiato cause hypothermia• Once hypothermia sets in, brain and body functions Once hypothermia sets in, brain and body functions

are impaired—victims do not realize this is happening are impaired—victims do not realize this is happening • Even athletes and strong swimmers can get Even athletes and strong swimmers can get

hypothermiahypothermia• Stay out of water until warmed if you show early signs Stay out of water until warmed if you show early signs

of hypothermia: shivering, altered judgment, blue of hypothermia: shivering, altered judgment, blue fingers and lipsfingers and lips

Encourage life jacket useEncourage life jacket use

AAction to takection to taketo prevent further injuriesto prevent further injuries

MMaterials to leave aterials to leave behindbehind

Utilize WHAM folder on rigUtilize WHAM folder on rig ““Hypothermia In Our Lakes and Hypothermia In Our Lakes and

Rivers”Rivers” Safe Kids “Boating Safety”Safe Kids “Boating Safety”

Further info on Open Water Further info on Open Water Drowning PreventionDrowning Prevention

Links:Links:

Washington State Drowning Prevention CoalitionWashington State Drowning Prevention Coalitionwww.drowning-prevention.orgwww.drowning-prevention.org

Seattle-King County Public Health Seattle-King County Public Health http://www.metrokc.gov/health/injury/drowning.htmhttp://www.metrokc.gov/health/injury/drowning.htm

Hypothermia Prevention, Recognition & TreatmentHypothermia Prevention, Recognition & Treatmentwww.hypothermia.orgwww.hypothermia.org

Washington State ParksWashington State Parkswww.parks.wa.gov/boatingwww.parks.wa.gov/boating

WHAM developed by:WHAM developed by: Central Pierce Fire & RescueCentral Pierce Fire & Rescue

City of DuPont Fire DepartmentCity of DuPont Fire DepartmentGig Harbor Fire & Medic OneGig Harbor Fire & Medic One

Safe Kids Pierce CountySafe Kids Pierce CountyTacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.

With funding from:With funding from:West Region EMS & Trauma West Region EMS & Trauma

Care CouncilCare Council