Submersion injury refers to a non-fatal incident where a person is submerged in a liquid, leading to respiratory impairment and a range of potential health complications. These incidents, while not immediately fatal, can result in serious medical conditions requiring prompt attention.
Understanding Submersion Injury
Submersion injury describes the non-fatal outcomes of a submersion event. It applies when an individual is submerged in liquid, experiences breathing difficulties, but survives the incident. This distinguishes it from drowning, defined as death from respiratory impairment due to liquid submersion. Medical terminology now encompasses both fatal and non-fatal outcomes under the broader term “drowning,” with “submersion injury” often used for survival with morbidity.
How the Body Reacts
During a submersion event, the body undergoes several physiological changes, primarily due to a lack of oxygen. When water enters the airways, it can irritate the lung lining and wash out surfactant, a substance that helps keep the air sacs (alveoli) open. This can lead to alveolar collapse, fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and impaired gas exchange.
This oxygen deprivation, known as hypoxia, can rapidly affect the brain, potentially causing neurological damage. The heart can also be impacted, with oxygen deprivation leading to irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or even cardiac arrest. In some cases, particularly in cold water, arrhythmias can be triggered. Other organs, such as the kidneys, may also suffer injury due to reduced blood flow and oxygen, sometimes presenting days after the initial event.
Recognizing the Signs
Recognizing the signs of submersion injury is important, as symptoms can manifest immediately or be delayed. Immediately after an incident, a person might exhibit persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or changes in skin color like paleness or blueness. They may also appear unusually tired, confused, or irritable.
Crucially, symptoms can be delayed, sometimes appearing hours after the person has exited the water, typically within 24 hours. These delayed symptoms include worsening persistent coughing, extreme fatigue, vomiting, chest pain, and increasing shortness of breath. A change in behavior or irritability can also indicate a lack of oxygen reaching the brain.
Immediate Steps and Medical Needs
Following any submersion incident, seeking prompt medical evaluation is crucial, even if the person appears to have recovered. Emergency services should be contacted immediately. Medical professionals will assess oxygen levels and vital signs, and may conduct diagnostic tests such as chest X-rays to check for fluid in the lungs.
Treatment often involves supportive care, administering supplemental oxygen to improve breathing. In more severe cases, mechanical ventilation may be necessary to support lung function. Continued observation in a medical setting is important due to the potential for delayed complications, with patients often monitored for several hours to ensure stability.