Question for doctors, Life Guards, ER workers.

[dududf]

Just a weird thought I had today.

Why is it I've never heard of this technique, when some one is drowningdue to water in their lungs?

Situation: A person is swimming, and accidentally gulps water that goes down the wrong pipe, they pass out, and someone instantly sees it and pulls them into shore. No one knows CPR, so one person suggests picking the person up by the ankles, and pushing on the persons lungs from above to force the water out. Presto, water comes out person lives.


I've never heard of someone doing that. What's the deal? Is it because it doesn't work? It seems like it'd work perfectly in a public place if no one knew CPR. 3 people could save an adult from drowning easily. Only thing required would be someone to take charge.

I know it sounds silly, but it seems plausible.

So if you're in the field, from which you should be able to know what to do in these situations, would what I suggest hypothetically work? Pick the person by the ankles, and compress on their chest and let gravity do the rest?

 

[quiet_samurai]

Usually because it isn't necessary. Until a person is actually dead or incapapable of breathing due to blockage or trauma they will naturally and automatically hack out whatever is in the lungs, even when unconsious. Fluids are usually not to difficult an obstruction to remove.

Also picking up unconsious people and hanging them upside down isn't really wise to do so anyways.

 

[BeeRye]

Pick the person by the ankles, and compress on their chest and let gravity do the rest?

I am not in any of the professions you listed, but I have to ask why would you pick a person up by the ankles and try to compress their chest, when you could just try to compress their chest on the ground? Both methods involve chest compressions, so wouldn't a lack of CPR knowledge still be an issue?

 

[dududf]

Pick the person by the ankles, and compress on their chest and let gravity do the rest?

I am not in any of the professions you listed, but I have to ask why would you pick a person up by the ankles and try to compress their chest, when you could just try to compress their chest on the ground? Both methods involve chest compressions, so wouldn't a lack of CPR knowledge still be an issue?

Sorry for late delay.

The idea is that the first compression would open the lung valve, and gravity would take the water out.

I figure you could punch 'em once in the lung and it'd work. No CPR knowledge required.