Drowning aspiration — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: E — Give oxygen and transport to hospital for observation and assessment

Give oxygen and transport to hospital for observation and assessment is the best answer because respiratory symptoms or hypoxia after drowning require hospital assessment for aspiration and delayed deterioration. Transport to the nearest minor injury unit is less appropriate because a minor injury unit cannot provide definitive major trauma care; Delay transport for full wound cleaning is less appropriate because wound toilet should not delay urgent haemorrhage or surgical care. Allow self-evacuation in a private vehicle and Transport to the nearest hospital without pre-alert 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: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines