Near-drowning in cold fresh water: current treatment regimen

Near-drowning victims are admitted to tertiary care facilities within a few hours of submersion. Following initial improvements, many patients undergo progressive cerebral deterioration. A retrospective study (1970–1974) of 30 patients at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, revealed a mortality of 3.3 per cent and permanent brain damage in 30 per cent. At the same time, excellent results were reported, using an aggressive treatment of closed-head injuries, following cold-water water drownings and in the use of profound hypothermia in cardiovascular surgery. In 1975 some specific therapeutic measures were instituted for near-drowning victims and have subsequently been revised and extended.