FAMILY MEDICINE® COLUMN
By John C. Wolf, D.O.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine®
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

ALCOHOL AND WATER - A DEADLY SUMMERTIME MIXTURE!

Question: My family and I boat, ski and swim in the river every summer. I'm always worried about someone drowning. Do you have any advice to help us minimize that risk?

Answer: Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Each year, about 8,000 Americans drown. The circumstances of these deaths vary considerably, but certain types of accidents occur frequently. Included in this category are the deaths of young children in backyard swimming pools, inattentive swimmers who get in the way of boats, and experienced swimmers who take in too much air by hyperventilation before attempting underwater long-distance swims.

One of the biggest risks for your family may be alcohol. Thirty-eight percent of men and 11 percent of women involved in water-related accidents, including drowning, had been drinking alcoholic beverages. While the quantities they consumed were often enough to make them legally drunk, you should know that even a small quantity of alcohol slows your reflexes and mildly impairs your ability to make critical decisions. This is why I think it's foolish to have any alcohol before skiing or operating a boat because of the potentially severe consequences of an error in judgment.

You can reduce your family's risk of a drowning accident by insisting that each family member receive sufficient instruction to become a competent swimmer. This includes adults that may have missed the opportunity to master this skill when they were children. An additional and equally important area of training is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). My medical dictionary defines resuscitation as, "The restoration to life of one who is apparently dead." That says pretty well why CPR is so important, and it's more likely to "restore life" to a drowning victim the sooner it is started. If you have the training, you might save a life by starting CPR before EMS personnel arrive on the scene.

There is reason to be guardedly optimistic about the survival of drowning victims who are rescued alive. In one study, eight of 11 adult victims who were comatose upon arrival to the emergency room survived with apparently normal brain function. If you don't know basic CPR, I'd suggest you contact your local American Heart Association chapter for information about courses in your area. The area Red Cross can direct you to swimming lessons.

One of the more serious water-related injuries - paralysis due to injury of the spinal cord and neck - is seen in people who dive into shallow water. The easiest way to prevent this tragedy is to familiarize yourself with the area you're diving in. It's a good idea to carefully go feet first into the water before your first dive. That way, you'll know the water level and you'll find out about any dangerous objects under the surface that can't be seen from the shore. Also, remember that the water levels in familiar lakes, streams and rivers can change from day to day and from season to season.

Accidents at water slides account for the largest share of amusement park injuries. About 3,000 water slide injuries are seen in hospital emergency departments each year. While most of these are bruises and lacerations, a large number of more serious accidents have been reported. Some slides now require helmets, which reduces the risk of head injuries. Still, many of the injuries are caused by people landing on their backs or buttocks or being thrown against the walls of the slide.

The best way to avoid water accidents of all types is through the use of simple common sense. Don't horse around on a water slide. Don't venture into unfamiliar water alone. Don't take chances, and never drink alcohol before going into the boat or the water.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to John C. Wolf, D.O., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Grosvenor Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701.