According to a study of the British Red Cross in 2018, only 5% of the population consider themselves knowledgeable and confident enough to provide first aid in the event of an emergency. First aid is one of the most important medical skills for people in their everyday life, although most do not consider themselves capable of acting.
The aim of this research is to analyze the impact of post-drowning treatment on the outcome with special focus on extracorporeal life support (ECLS).
A comprehensive literature review was conducted using documentary and analytical methods.
The importance of first aid stems from the fact that most emergencies occur when no professional medical equipment is available and often the scenario takes place far from the familiar environment of the first aiders.
The quicker the patient receives help and the better the quality of the received help, the better the chances of the patient for good outcome. In drowning, hypothermia and infection play a large role, which complicates a smooth recovery.
After successful first aid, the patient’s admission to a hospital with possible treatments such as ECLS may save lives.
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