Treatment of submersion incidents Time is of the essence

SUBMERSION incidents can occur in a variety of settings. Where a patient is submerged in liquid, remove them if it is safe to do this and ensure an ambulance has been called and an AED is obtained if available. If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR. Otherwise, monitor the patient carefully and manage hypothermia if present. Any patient involved in a submersion incident should be brought to a hospital emergency department for investigation of secondary drowning, which may occur later.