Freshwater near-drowning: our experience in life-supportive treatment.

Eight freshwater near-drowning victims were treated in the General Intensive Care Unit. The most prominent findings upon arrival were respiratory failure, hypoxemia and coma. Routine treatment, including mechanical ventilation and brain resuscitation, was initiated in all patients. Six patients were discharged fully recovered from the unit on the 3rd to 6th day; one patient who recovered fully but had amnesia was discharged after 8 months; and one patient remained decerebrated and died 5 months later. A more aggressive treatment of near-drowning victims is justified and recommended.