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June 2025; Volume 14, Issue 6
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Utah Emergency Medical Services for Children
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Pedi Points
Tia Dickson RN, BSN
PCH Trauma RN, Utah EMSC Nurse Clinical Consultant
As the weather heats up, families head outside to cool off—whether it’s in backyard pools, lakes, rivers, or even canals. But with the fun of summer comes real risk, especially when it comes to drowning. State and national data show that 70% of drownings happen in late spring and summer. For kids ages one to four, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death. For children up to 14, it’s the second leading cause. As EMS first responders, you are on the front lines of both prevention and emergency care.
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Where Drownings Happen Most Often (By Region):
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Nevada & Colorado Front Range (e.g., Las Vegas, Reno, Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins):
Western Colorado (e.g., Grand Junction, Durango):
Utah & Montana (e.g., Utah Lake, Bear Lake, Flathead Lake):
Idaho (e.g., Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Nampa):
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Prevention Tips for EMS to Share:
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Encourage the use of life jackets around natural water.
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Install barriers around home pools.
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Always maintain active supervision of children near any water—even small amounts.
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Take the opportunity to educate the public at local events or during community interactions.
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When someone starts to drown, they panic and struggle, using up energy and oxygen fast. Kids are at higher risk—they use oxygen quickly and have less of it stored. While adults may struggle for up to a minute, kids might only struggle for 10 seconds before going under.
As oxygen runs out and carbon dioxide builds up, the body forces a breath—this involuntary gasp pulls water into the airway. A reflex called laryngospasm may temporarily block water from entering the lungs, but water often gets in anyway. Either way, the brain is starved of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness and eventually, water filling the lungs.
Drowning is often silent. Victims usually can’t yell, wave, or grab rescue gear. They may slip underwater even with people nearby.
The term “near drowning” is outdated. We now use “submersion injury”, which includes anyone who survives longer than 24 hours after the event. Even if a child seems okay after rescue, they’re still at risk. Swelling and other complications can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. All drowning victims—especially kids—should be transported to the hospital for monitoring. Submersion injuries can range from mild to severe brain and organ damage.
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Signs and Symptoms of Submersion Injury
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Drowning/Submersion Injury Response Checklist for EMS
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Ensure scene safety for yourself and others before rescue.
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Remove the victim from the water as safely as possible.
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Suspect neck and spine injuries use precautions if appropriate.
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Assess and manage ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
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Begin resuscitation as needed (BLS, PALS, ACLS protocols).
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Administer oxygen 15 L/min via non-rebreather or consider PEEP
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Remove wet clothing and rewarm the patient (unless hypothermia protocols apply).
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Transport all children, even if they appear stable.
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Key Scene Information to Gather and Report
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Estimated submersion time
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Any signs of trauma
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Possible drug or alcohol involvement
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Type of water (pool, river, lake, canal, etc.)
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Water contamination level (clear, dirty, chemical exposure)
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Water temperature
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Any rescue attempts made before EMS arrival
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Reminder for Cool Water Drowning
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If there’s a potential pediatric ECMO candidate, bypass other hospitals and transport directly to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake. If possible, obtain a water temperature reading at the scene.
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Deep Dive – Run a scenario with this help
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What is the number 1 treatment priority for drowning patients?
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Would PEEP benefit this drowning patient?
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Managing Drowning Patients
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For additional guideline direction check out the UPTN website or the new app, “Utah PTN” on android and apple devices.
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CME credit for this issue
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Training officers may review the topic above as a team training AND perform a simulation/skills check as directed. Once complete, send a roster of participants to Utah.PETOS@gmail.com and those listed will be issued 1-hour of CME credit from the Bureau of EMS, DPS.
Individuals who don’t have a training officer can get CME credit on their own by viewing a PETOS presentation in our archives and completing the instructions on the webpage.
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Skills checking
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Review the newsletter content with your team.
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Using the video links above, put together a drowning scenario and walk through your agency response and protocol using your pediatric equipment.
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Basics
● Measles is one of the most contagious of all known infections.
● Patients are contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after rash onset.
● 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to measles will get sick and about 20% of measles cases will be hospitalized.
● Complications of measles include
ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis and death
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Symptoms
Kids with measles are described by providers as “looking sick”. The classic symptoms of measles are:
● Fever
● Red blotchy rash starting at the hairline and moving down the body
● Cough
● Runny nose
● Conjunctivitis
Protection
● The measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV) is recommended in early childhood and protects for a lifetime. 2 doses of measles vaccine is ~97% effective at preventing measles infection.
● Measles is airborne and can live in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours. Place a surgical mask on the patient as soon as possible.
● Recommended PPE:
○ Gloves
○ Eye protection
○ N95 respirator
○ Gown for transport, if entering a home, or if you may otherwise come into contact with items that have been sneezed or coughed on.
● Notify receiving facilities of potential measles cases enroute.
● Disinfect all equipment and rig surfaces with hospital grade disinfectant.
Measles Misinformation
Vitamin A does not prevent measles and can be toxic in high doses. Vitamins and supplements are not regulated by the FDA and may not contain consistent or accurate amounts of active ingredients.
Some friendly reminders for EMS personnel (from Mt EMSC):
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At a minimum, a fit-tested N95 should be worn when providing care to someone with suspected or confirmed measles.
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The back of the ambulance is considered a shared airspace, according to the CDC. This area should not be used for 2 hours after transporting a patient with suspected or confirmed measles; proper cleaning and disinfection should occur after 2 hours to allow for adequate air exchange.
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Any area where a suspect or confirmed case of measles is present within a healthcare facility (except an AIIR) could be considered an exposure area; communication with the facility will allow for proper triage and transport of the patient.
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There may be times when local or state public health officials will reach out to gather additional information to better understand potential exposures
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Community Health Materials Available
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Autism awareness training (agency and hospital)
If your agency is interested in the John Wilson Autism training or in receiving the free autism kits, contact Jeff Wilson, PM @jeffwilson122615@gmail.com.
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PECC development
For Utah hospital and EMS Agency PECCs
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Understanding the PECC role
For hospital PECCs
For EMS PECCs
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PECC quarterly meeting
You will receive an invitation with the link through email. If you are a PECC and don’t receive this invitation, contact our program manager, Jared Wright jaredwright@utah.gov.
When?
Tuesday, Aug 19th, 2024, 10:00 AM
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Pediatric education from Utah EMSC
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Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Outreach Series (PETOS)
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PETOS (pediatric emergency and trauma outreach series)
This lecture provides 1 free CME credit from the Office of Emergency Medical Services, DPS for EMTs and Paramedics. The lectures are presented by physicians and pediatric experts from Primary Children’s Hospital. The format is informal; inviting questions and discussion.
Upcoming topics
Jun 9th, 2025 – Pediatric Prevention Programs with Michelle Jamison MHA
Jul 14th, 2025 – Pediatric Infectious Disease with Hilary Hewes MD
Aug 11th, 2025 – Derm Issues with Robert Sylvester DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
02:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98193757707?pwd=UzdNeXppQUdtZ01KZUp2UFlzRk9vdz09
Meeting ID: 981 9375 7707
Password: EmscPCH
Archived presentations can be viewed and also qualify for CME credits. You can access them at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/for-professionals/PETOS.
To obtain a completion certificate—follow the instructions on the website
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Emergency Pediatric Course – NAEMT
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Other pediatric education for all
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EMS Education Night – St. George
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Virtual Education Series: Measles: Connecting the Dots
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Intermountain Pediatric Emergency Care Conference (I-PECC)
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University of Utah Pediatrics ECHO 2025
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The Pediatrics ECHO is back! For those new to Pediatrics ECHO, you can earn CME for participating in a case-based learning session with experts in a variety of pediatric topics.
You can view previous session recordings and other programs on the Project ECHO page. CME is available for participation in these classes.
More Information
The University has a new EMS education website.
When? Wednesdays 12 – 1 pm (MT)
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University of Utah Injury Prevention Learning Series
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University of Utah’s EMS Trauma Grand Rounds
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Hospital-focused pediatric education
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Primary Children’s Pediatric Grand Rounds
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Offered every Thursday, September-May (currently on hiatus, archives available)
Offering both RN and MD CME
The pediatric grand rounds weekly lecture series covers cutting-edge research and practical clinical applications, for hospital and community-based pediatricians, registered nurses, and other physicians and practitioners who care for children of any age.
Every Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. from September through May in the 3rd Floor Auditorium at Primary Children’s Hospital and at Lehi a broadcast will be held in the education center (1st floor in rooms 1 & 2).The lectures are also broadcast live to locations throughout Utah and nationwide. Click on this link to view the broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNQP-M_3-PdPDvnICr2Fjpg
Connect live
Click here for the PGR PCH YouTube channel to find the live broadcast. Archives (without continuing education credit) will be posted here within 1 week of the broadcast.
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Emergency Medical Services for Children Utah, Bureau of EMS, Department of Public Safety
The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program aims to ensure emergency medical care for the ill and injured child or adolescent is well integrated into an emergency medical service system.
Email: tdickson@utah.gov
Website: https://ems.utah.gov/
Phone: (801) 707-3763
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