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Drowning arrest — DipIMC MCQ

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HardResuscitationDrowning arrestDipIMC

A 17-year-old is removed from water apnoeic and pulseless. Oxygen and bag-mask ventilation are immediately available. Which sequence should begin the resuscitation?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Five oxygen ventilations followed by standard CPR

The best answer is “Five oxygen ventilations followed by standard CPR”. Drowning arrest is primarily hypoxic. RCUK 2025 therefore starts professional resuscitation with five ventilations using 100% oxygen when available, then continues standard CPR. Suction visible obstructing material without delaying ventilation, and use the lowest effective bag-mask pressure to limit gastric inflation. Defibrillation follows rhythm analysis rather than a routine stacked-shock sequence.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK 2025, Special circumstances: https://www.resus.org.uk/professional-library/2025-resuscitation-guidelines/special-circumstances-guidelines