Drowning

Patrick-Heimlich Model

     A distinction is made among the terms "submersion," "near-drowning," and "drowning" as follows:

       "Submersion" is a condition of being under the surface of a liquid.

       "Drowning" is to die from suffocation by submersion in a liquid.

       "Near-drowning" means to survive, at least temporarily, after suffocation by submersion in a liquid.

     A "serious submersion" is a submersion in Category II or Category III of the classification under the

     Patrick-Heimlich Model.

       The Patrick-Heimlich model recognizes three categories of submersion victims:

       (I) non-serious submersion victims, who are conscious, have a pulse and respiration, and survive

           without treatment.

       (II) freshwater submersion victims, who have breathing difficulty, but with a pulse (water is

            absorbed by the time of rescue), and saltwater submersion victims with partial obstructions.

       (III) all freshwater and saltwater victims without a pulse at the time of rescue.

          The Patrick-Heimlich model prescribes the following:

       Do nothing if if the victim is in Category I.

       Ventilation, as in mouth-to-mouth, can be performed first if the victim is in Category II.

       Perform the Heimlich maneuver first if the victim is in Category III.

Lima Case

     The Lima case provides proof that water is in the airway of a near-drowning victim and that the water

      is removed by the Heimlich Maneuver.