Friend Lost Consciousness While Swimming and Nearly Drowned
Today, while enjoying a beach day in Cancun, I experienced a frightening incident involving my friend. She's 22 years old, weighs 156 pounds, and stands at 5'6". We were enjoying some body surfing in the ocean, although the waves were quite manageable, and we ventured out pretty far. Out of nowhere, my sister caught sight of my friend drifting away, seemingly unconscious. We rushed to her aid and discovered she was convulsing, her lips had turned blue, and she exhibited a total lack of responsiveness. In a panic, we shouted for help; luckily, some kind bystanders rushed over to assist us in getting her out of the water. While my sister tried to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in that chaotic moment, my friend expelled a significant amount of water once we reached the shore. Gradually, she began to regain consciousness, although she seemed disoriented initially. When medical personnel checked her blood pressure, it was alarmingly high at approximately 180 over something like 96, but it's understandable given her distressing situation. Fortunately, after regaining her composure, she felt perfectly fine and expressed immense gratitude to my sister for spotting her just in time. This incident occurred around 3 PM, and prior to that, she had been awake since about 9 AM, having consumed roughly 40 ounces of water and a nutritious breakfast consisting of fruit, an omelette, and sausage. Although she celebrated a long night of drinking, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for her as she is accustomed to it. My friend routinely takes Vyvanse and vapes but couldn't recall if she had taken her Vyvanse that day. Now we are left wondering what could have caused her sudden episode. Was it a seizure? Could it have simply been fainting? The only similar incident she remembers was fainting after donating plasma previously. Should she seek medical attention? During the episode, she was completely unaware of what was happening and reported not seeing any warning signs or experiencing any blackout. She only remembers enjoying the waves and then waking up on the beach surrounded by concerned faces.
Answers (1)
3/25/2025, 11:40:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like a terrifying experience for both you and your friend. What happened could have been related to several factors, including a possible seizure, fainting due to dehydration or exhaustion, or even an issue related to her medication combined with her activity level. Here’s a breakdown.
Explanation
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Possible Causes:
- Seizure: The convulsions and loss of consciousness might indicate a seizure, particularly if she has a history of similar fainting episodes.
- Fainting: This could occur due to dehydration, prolonged exertion, or sudden changes in her heart rate or blood pressure, especially if she was stressed and had a night of drinking.
- Water Aspiration: The expelling of water suggests she inhaled while she was struggling, which can lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
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Medical Response:
- High blood pressure (180/96) is concerning but not unusual in a high-stress situation. Once calm, blood pressure typically returns to normal.
Next Steps
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Immediate Medical Attention: Encourage her to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Even if she feels fine now, it's crucial to evaluate the episode thoroughly. A doctor may want to conduct tests, including blood work or possibly an EEG to check for seizures.
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Avoid Certain Activities: Until she receives medical clearance, advise her to avoid swimming or engaging in activities that could be dangerous if she were to lose consciousness again.
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Monitor Symptoms: Over the next few days, watch for any recurring symptoms like unusual fatigue, dizziness, changes in consciousness, or headache. If any arise, seek immediate medical attention.
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Hydration and Rest: Ensure she stays well-hydrated and gives herself enough time to rest, especially following a night of drinking. Note her fluid intake and encourage her to consume electrolytes.
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Medication Review: If she has not taken her Vyvanse on that day, discuss her medication regimen with a healthcare provider. Certain medications can influence awareness and energy levels.
Conclusion
While it’s great that she feels alright now, the nature of the event warrants professional evaluation to uncover the root cause and prevent future incidents. Your concern for her wellbeing is commendable, and assisting her in getting appropriate care is the best way to ensure her health and safety moving forward.
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