Once the patient is stabilized from a respiratory and hemodynamic standpoint, disposition should be determined. Figure 1 below helps to establish guidelines for ICU admission versus observation and safe discharge based drowning mortality risk and drowning grade (Table 3).
Patients with a Grade 2 or lower may safely be observed either in the ER or non-intensive care inpatient observation for 4-6 hours.1
Patients with Grades 3-6 should be admitted to the ICU.1
Appropriate consults should be made at this time and may include critical care (medical and neurological), cardiology, psychology.