You are by the side of a young male patient who hit his head after diving from a hillside into a shallow lake. The patient is unresponsive and has a large hematoma to his forehead with abrasions all over his face. A paramedic asks you to apply painful stimuli to his arms and legs. You recognize that the paramedic wants you to assess for which type of injury or condition?

The most important treatment for drowning victims is rescue breathing. This should be provided as soon as possible, even before the victim is pulled from the water.  When responding to a drowning victim, EMS should prioritize: Effective ventilation, Oxygenation, and Chest compressions.  If the victim is unconscious but breathing, place them in a recovery position and assess for adequate airway maintenance and ventilation. If the victim is pulseless, immediately begin CPR.  For diving emergencies, you should first establish ABCs, then rinse the wound with clean water and immerse in hot... Show more

The most important treatment for drowning victims is rescue breathing. This should be provided as soon as possible, even before the victim is pulled from the water. 
When responding to a drowning victim, EMS should prioritize: Effective ventilation, Oxygenation, and Chest compressions. 
If the victim is unconscious but breathing, place them in a recovery position and assess for adequate airway maintenance and ventilation. If the victim is pulseless, immediately begin CPR. 
For diving emergencies, you should first establish ABCs, then rinse the wound with clean water and immerse in hot water (110°F-113°F/43.3°C-45°C) for 30 to 90 minutes. Extract obvious pieces of barbs, then conduct pain management as needed. 

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