Drowning with pulse absent — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: C — Start ventilations and chest compressions as soon as safely possible

Start ventilations and chest compressions as soon as safely possible is the best answer because drowning arrest is primarily hypoxic, so early rescue breaths and CPR are central once safe. Wait for imaging before intervening is less appropriate because imaging is not available or appropriate before treating a clinical life threat; Perform a full secondary survey before treating the abnormality is less appropriate because secondary survey follows correction of immediate life threats. Delay intervention until arrival at hospital and Transport without treating the identified time-critical problem are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines; JRCALC Guidelines