AHA, AAP offer updated drowning resuscitation guidelines
The American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics provided updated guidelines on resuscitating individuals who have experienced drowning.
Drowning is currently the leading and second-leading cause of death among U.S. children aged 1 to 4 years and 5 to 14 years, respectively. The condition often progresses from respiratory arrest caused by submersion-related hypoxia to cardiac arrest.
In the guidelines, published in Pediatrics, a committee of experts from the AHA and AAP examined 2021-23 data obtained by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.
The investigators suggested that resuscitation of individuals who have drowned should focus on both restoring breathing and circulation. Following in-water rescue, the rescuer should perform chest compressions.
Among the updated recommendations were: rescue breathing and oxygen administration should be administered when available; trained rescuers should use rescue breaths as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, initiated with breathing or compressions; in-water rescue breathing could prevent cardiac arrest when safely administered; and the use of automated external defibrillators could help prevent death.
The investigators concluded that more research may be needed to better identify strategies to prevent drowning and enhance resuscitation.
Read more: Pediatrics
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