1. Wilderness First Aid Slideshow Template
The following Slideshow is a Bare Bones template which covers the minimum information set by the 2010 WFA Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines.
This slideshow version was intended to be used as a minimalist alternative to our standard slideshow and can be used as a template for building a new slideshow to better suit the the instructor’s lecturing style.
Version 1 May 2018

2. Submersion Incidents Elective Class 10 min Elective Class Skip
BSA WFA Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines
Page(s) 39
ECSI Wilderness First Aid Field Guide
Page(s) 88
ARC WRFA Emergency Reference Guide
Page(s) 67

3. Submersion Incidents Objectives
Describe briefly the general sequence of events at a submersion (drowning) incident.
Describe the safest and most efficient means of removing a submersion victim from the water.
Describe emergency treatment for a drowned patient.
Describe how to prevent some drowning incidents.
Describe situations that would require an evacuation versus a rapid evacuation.
Participants can read Course Objectives at home.
Prior to lecturing, instructors should review the most up to date Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (WEM) guidelines related to their talk:
Prevention and Treatment of Drowning April 6, 2016
UpToDate drowning-submersion-injuries
WFA Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines
Schmidt AC, Sempsrott JR, Hawkins SC, Arastu AS, Cushing TA, Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Drowning. Wilderness Environ Med Jun;27(2):

4. Submersion Incidents Sequence of Submersion Distressed swimmer
Active drowning victim
Passive drowning victim
[Read Slide]

5. Submersion Incidents Guidelines for Recovering a Drowning Victim
Plan for safe swimming conditions
Ensure rescue aids and procedures discussed prior
Continue to monitor safety of everyone else in the water
Out-of-water assists are safer
Stop rescue if risks unacceptable Follow the progression of
Reach, Throw, Row, Go
[Paraphrase]
Guidelines for Recovering a Drowning Victim
During a planned swimming activity in safe water conditions, Victim Assists should be relatively safe and easy.
Rescue aids should be gathered and procedures discussed prior to the activity.
Don’t neglect to monitor the safety of everyone else in the water when attention is focused on an individual in trouble.
Out-of-water assists are safer for the responder.
If conditions are unsafe and beyond your level of training, stop your rescue efforts if the risk becomes unacceptable.
Follow the progression of Reach, Throw, Row, Go based on your level of training.
WFA Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines
ARC Wilderness and Remote First Aid Emergency Reference Guide

6. Submersion Incidents Caring for a Near-Drowned Person ABCs
CPR if needed
Diving headfirst = Head/Spinal injury
Spinal precautions
Treat for Shock
Treat for hypothermia
Treat underlying cause – Diabetic emergency
[Paraphrase]
Caring for a Near-Drowned Person
If the person is unconscious and not breathing, give 2 rescue breaths. If the chest clearly rises, immediately begin CPR.
DO NOT attempt to clear the person’s lungs of water.
Be ready to roll the person to clear the airway if water or vomit comes up.
Diving headfirst into shallow water is a major cause of sports-related spinal injury.
If the person has a suspected head, neck or back injury, take steps to immobilize the spine.
Care for shock, hypothermia or other conditions as appropriate, including anything that might have caused the person’s distress in the water (e.g., diabetic emergency).
WFA Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines
UpToDate drowning-submersion-injuries

7. Submersion Incidents Submersion Incidents – Prevention Supervise
Participants screened for swimming
Area screened for safety
Buddy system
No headfirst diving
PFD as needed
Training and helmets for whitewater activities
NO alcohol or drugs
[Paraphrase]
Submersion Incidents – Prevention
Supervise all water activities by a mature, conscientious adult trained to respond to water-related emergencies
Prior screening for medical conditions that may require special precautions
All participants should be able to swim 100 yards
Area of swimming screened for safety
Always have a buddy
No headfirst diving
Boating activities = Coast Guard approved lifejacket that fit properly.
Proper training and helmets for whitewater activities
Never swim or participate in water-based activities under the influence
WFA Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines
ARC Wilderness and Remote First Aid Emergency Reference Guide

8. Submersion Incidents Submersion Incidents – Rapid Evac
Unconscious, no matter how short a time
Respiratory problems after a submersion incident
Ingested water during a submersion incident
These situations can become life threatening.
“Secondary drowning” - water gets into the lungs. There, it can irritate the lungs’ lining and fluid can build up, causing a condition called pulmonary edema.
“Dry drowning” – laryngospasms
nonfatal drowning result in decreased lung compliance, ventilation-perfusion mismatching, and intrapulmonary shunting, leading to hypoxemia that causes diffuse organ dysfunction
Justice League
WFA Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines
ARC Wilderness and Remote First Aid Emergency Reference Guide

9. Submersion Incidents
Questions
Questions
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