Acad Emerg Med 24 (12): 1491 - 1500, 2017. doi: 10.1111 / acem.13278 Prognosis for Drowning Factors that increase the chance of surviving submersion without permanent injury include the following: Rapid institution of resuscitation (most important) Brief duration of submersion Cold water temperature Young age Absence of underlying medical conditions, secondary trauma, and aspiration of particulate matter or chemicals Survival may be possible in cold water submersion that lasts > 1 hour, especially among children; thus, even patients with prolonged submersion are vigorously resuscitated.