Near-Drowning From Ding-String Surfboarding: A Case Report

To the Editor.— Serious injuries including toe amputation, lacerations, and blunt trauma have been reported with the use of a surfboard leash or "ding-string" in surfboarding. 1 We would like to report the following case of a patient who had severe near-drowning while surfboarding with a ding-string. Report of a Case.— The patient was an 18-year-old experienced male surfer who suffered a concussive head injury and near-drowning in ocean water while surfboarding, surfboard leash attached, at Sandy Beach on Oahu. According to Oahu Emergency Medical Services protocol, he was rescued (in an unconscious state) from the ocean by first-responder trained lifeguards. He was resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation on the beach by trained Mobile Intensive Care Technician (MICT) ambulance paramedics using endotracheal intubation, electrical defibrillation, intracardiac epinephrine, intravenous sodium bicarbonate, thorough airway suctioning, and 100% oxygen delivered by positive pressure valve to the endotracheal tube. He was transported by the MICTs