Swimming at the lake or visiting a local pool can be a great way to beat the heat during the summer. Aquatic activities are popular among people of all ages. People tend to take for granted that a trip to the lake, a water park or an aquatic activity center should be a fun experience.
Unfortunately, small issues while swimming can lead to major incidents. Even proficient swimmers could be at risk in larger bodies of water if they get caught in a current or pulled out by waves. At a pool or a water park, crashing into someone else could lead to an incident or someone gets hurt and ends up underwater.
When there are lifeguards on duty or other people around to help, an incident in the water doesn’t necessarily lead to tragedy. However, a near-drowning can cause life-altering consequences even though the person involved survives. Many people who come close to drowning develop a hypoxic brain injury that can result in lasting consequences.
How does near drowning affect the brain?
Occasionally, a person experiencing a near-drowning may have already incurred a brain injury before the drowning occurred. Someone who dives into a shallow pool could hit their head. Those at water parks could crash into someone else moving at high speeds. In most cases, however, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) related to a near-drowning is the result of oxygen deprivation.
When someone goes under the water, the clock starts ticking. For most people, permanent brain damage is possible after as little as four minutes in the water. The longer it takes to rescue and resuscitate an individual drowning, the greater the likelihood of permanent brain damage.
The lack of oxygen to the brain causes the death of brain cells, which can manifest in a host of different symptoms. Hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries can cause memory issues and changes in personality. They can affect people’s motor function or sense of balance. The symptoms of a TBI tend to be permanent, as the damage to the structure of the brain is irreversible.
Those with a TBI caused by a near-drowning incident may have medical expenses to address. They may also face a lifetime of reduced earning potential because of the symptoms their condition creates. Depending on the circumstances, there may be outside parties with a degree of liability for a near-drowning incident. Improper lifeguard staffing, poor facility design and other issues might create liability for businesses.
In some cases, there may be insurance coverage available through a business. Even then, a lawsuit may be necessary to obtain a reasonable settlement. Quantifying the impact that a TBI related to a near-drowning may have can assist those pursuing injury compensation. Financial support from those at fault is often necessary to help someone maintain their standard of living after a serious injury.