Submersion injuries in children and adults.

Drowning and near drowning remain a common cause of childhood death and disability. Toddlers aged one through four drown in private swimming pools. Submersions greater than 10 minutes and lack of CPR at the scene or the need for greater than 20 minutes of resuscitation portends a poor prognosis. Management of respiratory failure without neurologic impairment has the most successful outcome. Prevention of drowning morbidity is dependent on constant parental supervision, and immediate and expert CPR.