European University of Lefke (EUL) Vocational School of Health Services First and Emergency Aid Department Faculty Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Semra Aslay made statements about “First Aid in Drowning in Water”.

Aslay mentioned that drowning is one of the most important health problems that people should pay attention to in TRNC because of the warming of the weather and the coastline is about 400 km. According to official reports in the first 8 months of the TRNC, 13 people died in drowning.  Aslay also expressed on contrary to what is known about drowning in water that the oxygen deficiency caused by the closure of the trachea due to spasm that are caused by swallowing excessive water is not the main reason for drowning, it is not knowing swimming or panic.

People should swim at places where life-saving service is available.

“If someone who is in danger of drowning appears, the emergency response system should be activated (112), and assistance from the environment should be sought. In some cases (if the rescuer is alone, 112 is called first), those who are in danger of drowning may need to be immediately removed from the water. In this case, the victim should be removed from the water by holding him by the neck and the face is outside the water, ”Aslay said, in order to do so, the saviour must hold the victim with one hand in this way and swim with the other hand, and it is a life-saving act, especially in crowded environments. She said that it is more correct to swim in the sea or pool where there is service.

The person who is in danger of drowning should be removed from the water as quickly as possible and laid on a flat surface.

Aslay talked about the first aid interventions that can be done in drowning water and continued her words as follows: It is best to get close to the victim by a boat if possible. The person who is in danger of drowning should be removed from the water as quickly as possible and laid on a flat surface. These people have a high risk of vertebral injury. Therefore, especially considering the possibility of fractures of the neck vertebrae, the head can be fixed from the sides. If the casualty has not completely lost consciousness, pressing the upper part of the abdomen can be removed to remove the swallowed water. Complete loss of consciousness is the most dangerous. In this case, the oral cavity of the victim should be checked for foreign body obstruction, and it is necessary to check whether there is a pulse with two fingertips from the neck jugular vein. If the rib cage does not go up and down visibly, breathing has stopped if the rescuer has brought the ear closer to the victim’s mouth but does not hear a breathing sound. It is necessary to urgently start cardiac massage and rescue breathing. Heart pressure is made in the middle of the upper and lower end of the breastbone (center of the chest). Two equal “Cs” are created by the thumb and index fingers of both hands. One index finger is placed on the lower end of the sternum of the bone located in the middle of the chest – the other on the upper end. Two hands are intertwined between the fingers, creating a fist and applying pressure. The ideal heart massage and rescuing breath count is 30/2. The rescuer breathing should be applied pale mouth to mouth. For this, the mouth of the victim is kept pressed, the mouth is opened and a deep breath is given. In order for the respiratory tract to be open and the rescuer breath to be exhausted, the victim’s head must be pushed back slightly. In this way, the neck becomes straight. If there is a risk of trauma in the neck vertebrae, it is more beneficial to push the chin down so that the nose is closed and to deliver rescuer breath.

Aslay, talking about the necessity to do cardiac massage and rescuing breathing in drowning, even if the accidental stays in water longer than 30 minutes, “Especially in cold water drowning, even the time is longer. This process continues until the emergency medical personnel arrive at the scene or until the victim is conscious. ” Aslay finally said, “The reason for drowning is not only swallowing water, but chronic diseases, falling, etc. It should not be forgotten that it may be one of these reasons. ”