Cesar Campuzano, Oregon Teen, Survives After 30 Minutes Underwater; Potential Health Risks?
A 15-year-old boy in Oregon was revived by ambulance personnel after being submerged in the Willamette River for over 30 minutes. Representative for the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, Capt. Tim Svenson said the incident that took place on Monday evening has left Cesar Campuzano in critical condition.
It all started when the high school freshman and two of his friends went down to Rogers Landing on the river's edge for a beginning-of-summer swim. When Campuzano told his friends that he couldn't swim, they didn't believe him and jumped in, ABC News reported.
According to Svesnon's statement, "as they were getting out he jumped in. They immediately got out and called 9-1-1, when they called he had been under three minutes."
"It took 20 minutes for the fire department to get to the station, to get a boat and the appropriate personnel - people equipped to dive," said Svenson. "Also there are part-time/volunteer members and we were waiting for them to assemble, because many had just been given off of work or were called in. As soon as the fire department heard the call that was the quickest they could get together."
Newberg Dive Rescue and sheriff's marine patrol were able to locate the boy nine minutes after starting the search. Campuzano was given CPR by emergency medical service (EMS) and was then airlifted to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland where he remains in critical condition.
"I know when they arrived he was unresponsive, but we can't confirm if he was breathing or not at the time," Svenson added. "They immediately started CPR and put him in an ambulance, and they hit his chest with the AED to shock him back and when I showed up there around 7:05 p.m. they loaded him up and took him straight up to Portland."
What are some of the health risks Campuzano could face following his near-drowning experience?
Near-drowning is a term used for when a person comes close to death from suffocation due to being underwater. A recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma probed existing evidence of long-term neurological damage following a drowning incident.
Findings produced by the research team suggest immediate medical attention and arrival to the emergency room are essential to reducing the chance of lost brain function. Researchers also claim long-term analysis of neurological damage is necessary considering examination immediately following hospital discharge doesn't reveal all possible health risks.