Which statement about drowning is correct?

Which statement about drowning is correct?

• A. Laryngospasm following submersion makes rescue breathing difficult
• B. Drowning always results in immediate loss of consciousness
• C. Rescue breaths are never needed in drowning patients
• D. Oxygen is not necessary during resuscitation of drowning victims

Answer: (A)

In drowning, a protective laryngospasm can occur after submersion, narrowing the airway and making rescue breaths feel difficult to deliver. This reflex helps prevent water from entering the airway, but it can temporarily impede ventilation when you start rescue breathing. As you provide ventilation and oxygen, the airway often opens and air can move in more effectively, which is why this statement is the best choice. It’s not true that drowning always causes immediate loss of consciousness—many victims may be unconscious later or after a period of still breathing. Rescue breaths are indeed needed to supply oxygen during resuscitation, and oxygen is essential to improve outcomes, so those statements aren’t correct.

In drowning, a protective laryngospasm can occur after submersion, narrowing the airway and making rescue breaths feel difficult to deliver. This reflex helps prevent water from entering the airway, but it can temporarily impede ventilation when you start rescue breathing. As you provide ventilation and oxygen, the airway often opens and air can move in more effectively, which is why this statement is the best choice.

It’s not true that drowning always causes immediate loss of consciousness—many victims may be unconscious later or after a period of still breathing. Rescue breaths are indeed needed to supply oxygen during resuscitation, and oxygen is essential to improve outcomes, so those statements aren’t correct.