Drowning, near-drowning, and ice-water submersions

Drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in children. Swimming pools and natural bodies of water close to home present the greatest risk to young children. The single most important step in the treatment of submersion accident victims is the immediate institution of resuscitative measures at the earliest possible opportunity. Ice-water submersion accidents are an important subgroup of near-drowning victims, who at times can defy predictions for outcome after profound anoxic-ischemic insults. Drowning accident prevention is an important public health measure.