Home Pool Safety: First Aid in the Event of a Swimming Pool Accident

Every summer in Quebec, residential pools and bodies of water bring joy to families—and pose one of the most preventable risks of serious injury. According to the Lifesaving Society, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children aged 1 to 4 in Canada. Yet, the vast majority of aquatic incidents occur in familiar environments: a neighbor's pool, a cottage lake, a neighborhood wading pool. Knowing first aid in case of a pool accident can make the difference between a life saved and a tragedy.

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The Golden Rule: Never leave the swimming area unsupervised

Before first aid, there's prevention. Almost all drownings in children occur when they are left alone near the water, even for a few seconds. Drowning is silent—contrary to what you see in movies, a drowning person does not scream or make grand gestures. They disappear beneath the surface.

The basic rule: designate an adult solely responsible for aquatic supervision—no phone, no conversation, no distractions. If you need to leave, make everyone get out of the water.

Step 1: Safely remove the victim from the water

If you spot someone in distress in the water, the first priority is to get them out without putting yourself in danger.

• First, extend something to them—a pole, a buoy, a towel, a rope. Pull the person to the edge without entering the water.
• If you must enter the water, approach from behind to prevent the panicking person from pulling you under. Push them a buoy or a floating object to grab.
• Never dive headfirst into a shallow pool if you don't know the depth—the risk of spinal cord injury is real.
• Dial 911 immediately or ask someone else to do so while you intervene.

Step 2: Rapidly assess the victim's condition

Once the person is out of the water, quickly assess:

1. Are they conscious? Speak to them, gently shake their shoulder. If they respond, they are conscious—reassure them, cover them (water cools quickly) and monitor until help arrives.
2. Are they breathing normally? Tilt their head back, gently lift their chin to clear the airway. Look for chest rise, listen and feel for breath for 10 seconds.
3. If they are not breathing: immediately begin CPR.

Step 3: CPR after a near-drowning

Post-drowning CPR follows the same protocol as standard CPR, with one important nuance: start with 5 rescue breaths before compressions, as the lungs are filled with water and the priority is to provide oxygen.

Adult CPR Protocol:

1. Lay the victim on their back on a firm surface.
2. Tilt the head back, lift the chin.
3. Give 5 rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth): pinch the nose, cover the mouth, blow until you see the chest rise.
4. Follow with 30 chest compressions: heel of the hand in the center of the sternum, arms straight, push down 5 to 6 cm at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
5. Alternate: 30 compressions / 2 breaths, until help arrives or until the victim regains consciousness and breathes normally.

For a child aged 1 to 8: same protocol, compressions of 4 to 5 cm with one or two hands depending on the child's size. For an infant: compressions with 2 fingers on the sternum, depth of 3 to 4 cm, mouth-to-mouth-and-nose breaths simultaneously.

If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available nearby, send someone to get it while you continue CPR—it can be used even if the victim is wet (quickly dry the chest before applying the pads).

Step 4: The victim regains consciousness—it's not over yet

If the victim regains consciousness and starts breathing normally:

• Place them in the recovery position (on their side) to prevent them from choking if they vomit—this is common after a near-drowning.
• Cover them with a blanket or dry towels to prevent hypothermia.
• Never leave them alone and wait for help to arrive, even if they seem fine.

Warning: secondary drowning

This is the least known phenomenon—and one of the most dangerous. Secondary drowning (or delayed drowning) can occur up to 24 hours after an aquatic incident, even a minor one. When water enters the lungs, it can cause inflammation that progressively worsens breathing.

Seek immediate medical attention if, within 24 hours of an aquatic incident, the person exhibits:

• Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
• Unusual fatigue or excessive drowsiness
• Behavioral changes, confusion
• Chest pain

These symptoms, even mild, require urgent medical evaluation.

What to always have near the pool

A well-equipped swimming area should have handy:

• A life buoy with rope
• A rescue pole
• A charged phone (to dial 911)
• A waterproof first aid kit with compresses, bandages, and nitrile gloves
• A pocket mask for CPR
• An AED if the pool is in a semi-public establishment (club, building, day camp)

Key Takeaways

In the event of a pool accident, every second counts. Get the victim out of the water without endangering yourself, call 911, assess breathing, and start CPR if necessary—beginning with 5 rescue breaths. Even if the person seems to recover quickly, monitor them for 24 hours for signs of secondary drowning. The best intervention remains prevention: undistracted supervision, an accessible kit, and up-to-date first aid training.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for certified first aid and CPR training. In an emergency, dial 911 immediately.