Rescue Instructors Drowning Scenario Alliance (RIDSA)

Drowning Scenario (The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid)

Time Frame: 1Hr (consider "trigger warning" for students)

Equipment requirement:  Subject/Victim (face shield, pocket mask, oxygen, AED as optional tools)

Step 1. Set up a "heads down"extraction rescue and let students do their best to get the subject out.  Ideally rescue breaths are given immediately and subject taken to viable location.

Step 2.  Declare the subject "not breathing/no pulse."

Step 3.  let them "Roll with this" until all resuscitation efforts are exhausted (regardless of whether rescue efforts are done well or poorly)

Step 4.  Pause for 30 seconds of reflection as subject did not convert.  Explain the following:

I.  42 people are Lund the world die every hour

II.  Alcohol, YAM (young adolescent males) and no PFD are the biggest contributor.

III. 10% rate of availability with quality interventions

IV.  Drowning us often silent

Step 5.  Highlight positive interventions including:

I.  Encourage early in water rescue breaths

II. 5 ventilations (barrier protection when available) prior to CPR (or follow local protocols)

III.  Commencement of CPR (must remove PFD first) and introduction of other adjuncts including face shield, pocket mask, BVM, Oxygen, AED)

IV.  Further medical evaluation

V.  Transport decision

Step 6.  Explain key points such as:

I.  Recognition that this is more a brain problem than a lung problem

II. emphasize the need to "blow through the foam" rather than trying to suction or "blow smoke".  Foaming will only cease with rescue breaths/oxygen

III.  Resuscitation efforts continue typically for 30 minutes in water temperature higher than 43F/6C and 90 minutes in water below 43F/6C

Step 7.  Collaborate on next steps including:

I.  Communication (how to call for help)

II.  Care for Conversion (evacuation for hospital monitoring if removed from the water with; loss of consciousness, required resuscitation, foaming, SOB, productive cough, chest pain or other signs of respiratory distress.

III.  Cancellation (stay put/walk out)

IV.  Continuation (move downstream)

Step 8.  Direct all involved to understand and seek assistance for emotional trauma (regardless of subject outcome) that can help in the follow up after the event. 

I.  3X3 (Days, weeks, months)

II.  Responder Alliance (www.responderalliance.com)

III.  Communicate your needs

Step 9.  Repeat scenario noting positive actions taken and if warranted give positive outcome.  Repeat until successful, exhausted or time expires.

This scenario is presented and made consistent by the Rescue Instructors Drowning Scenario Alliance.  RIDSA is a collective Rescue Instructors committed to providing conside and consistent information and best practices regarding drowning through scenario driven education.  RIDSA includes many of the world's most dynamic rescue instructors.