Page 53 - MG_Magazine 22ED_WEB

ll skippers must bear in mind that they should
have the notions of how to act in the event of
an accident or drowning, that is to say, how
to save a person’s life. The first moments are
Acrucial and you have to stay calm so as not to
waste time or the ability to help.

The circumstances that can surround a drowning are multi-
ple. It´s not the same when it occurs during bathing, or div-
ing, during the day or night, while sailing (man overboard),
or when anchored, etc. We´re not going to explain here the
pathophysiological mechanisms, or the types of drowning,
but rather give quick and effective advice in an unwanted
situation like this.

First of all, we shouldn´t allow children to run around are-
as where they can fall into the water. In addition, the small
ones must travel with the appropriate life jackets on while dr. s. giménez artieda
adults should avoid, above all if there is bad weather, to
make movements without having the three recommended urólogo-andrólogo | urologist-andrologist
support points.

santos@uroandrologia.com

While anchored, the basic precautions are common sense:
you shouldn´t jump headfirst or standing up from the boat
in unknown or rocky areas where we don´t know the depth.
A trauma can facilitate drowning and make it extremely dif-
ficult for the injured person to be reached.
We must avoid swimming if we´ve been drinking more than
necessary or if we are under the influence of drugs or med-
ication that alter our reflexes.

In an emergency we must quickly remove the victim from
the water. If he breathes, it is a priority to make him cough to
expel the water that might obstruct his respiratory tract and
to check if he responds to orders so that we can assess the
degree of consciousness. If water comes out when cough-
ing, that is a very good sign, and we should place the patient
with his head on one side to help the water to come out.

If the person is unconscious or doesn´t breath, we have to
start CPR maneuvres, but only by cardiac massage, with-
out doing “mouth-to-mouth” (except for qualified persons),
because we can aggravate the condition by insufflating
more water. With the movements of the cardiac massage
we can facilitate the exit of residual water, keeping the head
tilted at all times, extending the neck, separating the chin
from the thorax and preventing the tongue from obstruct-
ing the tract. The next step would be to go back to port and
call 112.

If the affected person recovers spontaneous breathing and
heartbeat, we will have saved the life of a loved one and the
satisfaction will be immense. Let´s hope that nobody is ever
in this situation.

MG MAGAZINE 53