Wilderness Medicine Case Study 34

You are paddling with some friends on a the Jarbidge River in Idaho when Dan missed his line in a challenging rapid and pinned under water still in his kayak on one of the numerous log jams in the river. It takes roughly five to ten minutes to free him. Once on shore he is unresponsive, with no pulse or respirations. You begin CPR. During chest compressions, copious amounts of foam issue from his mouth and nose quickly covering his face. Breathing forcefully through the foam, you continue CPR. A few minutes later, his pulse and respirations spontaneously return; he remains unresponsive. Putting your ear to his chest you hear crackling noises.

What is wrong with Dan and what should you do? What is Dan's prognosis? Click here to find out.

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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