If the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or you are unsure — call your local emergency number NOW, before anything else.
Drowning
Drowning happens when breathing is impaired in water. Fast action is critical because lack of oxygen can quickly lead to cardiac arrest, brain injury, or death.
Call emergency services immediately if…
- The person is not breathing normally, is gasping, or is unresponsive
- The person was underwater and needed help getting out
- The person has trouble breathing, keeps coughing, or cannot speak normally after rescue
- The person turns blue, gray, or very pale, or seems confused or very sleepy
- There may be a head, neck, or spinal injury, such as after diving or a hard impact
- 1
Call emergency help now
Call the local emergency number immediately for any drowning emergency. Put the phone on speaker if you can. If another person is there, send them to call and get an AED if one is available.
- 2
Rescue safely if possible
Do not jump in unless you are trained and it is safe. Reach with a pole, towel, or hand, or throw a flotation aid and pull the person to safety. If you must enter the water, take something that floats with you.
- 3
Check responsiveness and breathing
Once the person is out of the water, tap and shout. Open the airway and check for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing.
- 4
Start rescue breaths and CPR
If the person is not breathing normally, begin CPR right away. Give 2 rescue breaths first if you know how, then continue CPR with cycles of chest compressions and breaths. If you do not know rescue breaths, give chest compressions and follow emergency dispatcher instructions.
- 5
Use an AED as soon as available
Turn on the AED and follow the voice prompts. Dry the chest quickly before attaching pads. Continue CPR until the AED tells you to stop, the person starts breathing normally, or emergency responders take over.
- 6
Protect the neck if injury is possible
If the person dived in, struck something, or was in surf or rough water, keep the head and neck as still as you can. If they are not breathing, do not delay CPR to protect the neck. Life-saving breathing and CPR come first.
- 7
Place breathing person on their side
If the person is breathing normally but not fully awake, place them on their side with the airway open. This helps fluid drain from the mouth and helps keep the airway clear. Keep watching their breathing closely.
- 8
Keep them warm and monitored
Remove wet clothing if possible and cover the person with dry blankets or towels. Keep them lying down and calm. Stay with them and be ready to restart CPR if breathing stops.
Do NOT
- Do not enter the water if it puts you at risk
- Do not assume the person is fine just because they are awake after rescue
- Do not try to force water out of the lungs or stomach
- Do not delay CPR while trying to remove water from the airway
- Do not give food, drink, or alcohol
Afterwards
Anyone rescued from a drowning event should be medically assessed, even if they seem to recover. Breathing problems can return later. Continue to watch for coughing, trouble breathing, vomiting, confusion, or unusual sleepiness until help arrives.
Sources
- [1]First Aid/CPR/AED — American Red Cross
- [2]Drowning — World Health Organization
- [3]Resuscitation Guidelines — European Resuscitation Council
Printed from HealthPulse.cc — first-aid education only, not a substitute for training or professional emergency care. Always call your local emergency number first.
Medical Disclaimer
Health Information Notice: HealthPulse provides educational information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not change medications or treatment based solely on this information. If you may be experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately. Read our Medical Disclaimer →
AI notice: HealthPulse AI provides general health information, not medical diagnosis or treatment. For personal medical decisions, consult a qualified healthcare professional.