Wilderness Medicine Case Study 29

While attempting a beach landing in heavy surf, one of your friends, Jane Turner, turned over, failed to roll, and bailed out of her kayak. She managed to make it to shore without assistance but collapsed once she reached the beach. Jane is awake, coughing, and struggling to catch her breath. After a few minutes her breathing normalizes and she is able to speak. She says her leg got caught and she inhaled some water when she was exiting her kayak. She is not exhibiting any respiratory distress. She feels a little bruised but thinks she is okay. Her history, physical exam, and vital signs are unremarkable and she passes a focused spine assessment.

What is wrong with Jane and what should you do? What is Jane's prognosis? Click here to find out.
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Don't know where to begin or what to do? Take one of our wilderness medicine courses. Guides and expedition leaders should consider taking our Wilderness First Responder course.

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