Guide · First aid

Drowning

A drowning person often can't shout or wave — they may just bob silently with their head low in the water. Call your local emergency number (112 in Europe and many other countries, 911 in North America) as soon as you can, or get someone else to. Never put yourself in danger: many people die trying to rescue others.

Getting them out safely

1. Shout to them to kick their legs and grab anything that floats.
2. Reach with a stick, pole, rope or branch while lying down on the bank or edge.
3. Throw something that floats: a lifebuoy, a cool box, a ball, an empty plastic bottle.
4. Don't go in unless you are trained in water rescue. Fast water, cold water and panicking people are very dangerous.

Once they are out

1. Lay them on their back on firm ground.
2. Check for a response and look, listen and feel for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds.

If they are not breathing normally:

1. Open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin.
2. Give 5 rescue breaths first. Drowning is caused by lack of oxygen, so breaths matter more than in other cardiac arrests.
3. Then do 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths, and keep repeating.
4. Use an AED as soon as one arrives. Dry the chest quickly before attaching the pads.
5. If you are unwilling or unable to give breaths, do compressions alone. That is still far better than nothing.

If they are breathing:

1. Put them in the recovery position so water and vomit can drain.
2. Keep checking their breathing until help arrives.

Things to know

• Don't try to drain water from the lungs by pressing on the stomach or holding them upside down. It wastes time and can cause vomiting.
• Vomiting is common. Roll them onto their side, clear the mouth, then roll them back and carry on.
• Assume a neck injury if they dived into shallow water or were hit by a wave against rocks. Keep the head and neck as still as possible, but don't let this delay rescue breaths.
• Cold is a danger too. Remove wet clothing, wrap them in dry layers and treat for hypothermia.

Afterwards

Anyone who has been pulled from the water after struggling, swallowing water or losing consciousness must see a doctor, even if they seem fine. Breathing problems can develop several hours later. Watch for coughing, breathlessness, unusual tiredness or confusion.

This guide does not replace a first-aid course. A few hours of hands-on practice will make you far more confident when it matters.

This article is in the Grid Survivor app, searchable with no signal. Get the app · £4.99