Drowning physical examination
Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Signs or behaviors associated with drowning or near-drowning:
Vitals
Respiratory Rate
- Hyperventilating or gasping
Head
- Head low in the water, mouth at water level
- Head tilted back with mouth open
Eyes
- Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
- Eyes open, with fear evident on the face
Miscellaneous
- Hair over forehead or eyes
- Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
- Trying to roll over on the back to float
- Uncontrollable movement of arms and legs, rarely out of the water
Looking for the patient version?
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH