Respiratory system

Knowledge of how the respiratory system works is very important in life guard first aid since drowning mainly affects this body system. Drowning is essentially caused by too much fluid in the lungs which will eventually lead to suffocation since the airway passages are blocked and there is no room for air exchange. Aside from pools, patients can also drown in other smaller bodies of water such as bath tubs and lakes. It can also be caused by drinking water inappropriately. By knowing how the respiratory system works, lifeguards can prevent further complications and foresee any other problems that can happen due to the patient’s condition.

Pharmacology

One of the most common misconceptions about lifeguards is that their only roles are to rescue those who are drowning and administer CPR whenever necessary. However, the truth of the matter is that lifeguards are also tasked to provide assistance to patients or individuals who are medically impaired in any way during medication administration. This is why it is important for lifeguards to know how to administer oral and intramuscular medications. Learning about pharmacology will also enable them to learn about certain medications that can come in handy in times of respiratory crises.

Other medical interventions

Aside from CPR, lifeguards are expected to perform other necessary medical and non-pharmacological interventions when there are no other rescuers around. These interventions include oxygen administration which is necessary for patients who have just been revived through CPR and those who have experienced drowning. Knowing how to safely transport patients from the poolside to a healthcare facility is also important since lifeguards are in-charge of the patient’s life until further help arrives. Proper positioning that promotes better circulation and respiration should also be studied.

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Breathing

A swimmer who is in perfect condition or who is in no imminent threat displays rhythmic breathing. He or she can calmly go in and out of the water without exhibiting any signs of difficulty of breathing and is not trying to call for help in any way. A distressed swimmer on the other hand, still has the ability to breath but is finding it difficult to stay afloat. Hence, he or she can still verbally call out for help. An active drowning victim does not have the strength to call out for help which means that he or she will immediately proceed to using non-verbal cues such as moving his or her arms up and down.

Arms and Legs

Swimmers who are in good shape or do not need any help move their arms and legs rhythmically. A distressed swimmer on the other hand can be seen treading the water with no rhythm and might call for help. A victim who is currently drowning may proceed to moving his or her arms from side to side alternately and may have trouble staying afloat.

Body Position

A swimmer who is in no threat swims horizontally while a distressed swimmer can be seen swimming horizontally but with great difficulty. A distressed swimmer is also more likely to swim vertically or diagonally depending on his or her current ability to swim whereas a victim who is actively drowning is in a vertical swimming position.

Locomotion

Swimmers who are in perfect condition tend to have recognizable body movements in the sense that they are not exhibiting any vague movements. They are also moving towards a clear direction. Those who are experiencing distress on the other hand have show little to no progress when it comes to forward movement. A victim who is actively drowning is not moving forward in any way and only has around 60 seconds before completely submerging which is why the lifeguard should immediately use the necessary first aid skills upon assessment.

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Accidental Drowning

Accidental drowning is one of the most common complications of using swimming pools and being involved in recreational activities that involve water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3, 000 people die from accidental drowning every year and that one out five of these people are actually children. This number does not include drowning incidents that involve boats which means that this number reflects those who died in private pools and other recreational areas while engaging in swimming-related activities.

Physical Injuries

There are times wherein sustaining physical injuries are unavoidable regardless of the number of precautionary measures that pool owners implement since these injuries are partly caused by the swimmers themselves. Injuries from using diving boards or slipping on the poolside is very common especially if alcohol consumption is involved. This is why pool owners and ordinary individuals should invest in first aid training. Through this training, they will know how to manage these types of injuries as soon as it happens which prevents complications such as blood loss or infections.

Chemical consumption

Even though chemical consumption that is mainly caused by swimming pool cleaning aids is not a very common occurrence, this still happens in various private and public pools worldwide. Characterized by skin irritations, stinging sensation in the eyes and difficulty of breathing, this condition can worsen if left untreated for a very long time. It can also cause major discomfort to the afflicted individual. By learning first aid, rescuers will learn how to manage this condition which can involve rinsing the victim with clean, untreated water and administering oxygen.

Since these medical emergencies can happen even in public pools and natural bodies of water, it is a wise idea for parents and other individuals to take lifeguard first aid classes even if they do not own private pools so that they will be able to help with the treatment of those who are afflicted with these types if medical conditions.

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