First aid for drowning: life-saving actions

In movies, drowning is dramatic: flailing arms, screaming, splashing. In reality, it's often silent, vertical in the water, with no visible struggle. The person in distress doesn't cry out — their body is entirely focused on trying to breathe. This cinematic myth has cost lives. Knowing the real signs and the right actions is what makes the difference. You don't need to be a lifeguard — but you do need to know what to do, and quickly.

Drowning: Silent and much faster than you think

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children under 5 in Canada, according to the Canadian Paediatric Society — and most parents don't suspect a thing, because it doesn't look like what we imagine. A child can drown in less than 2 minutes, silently, according to the INSPQ. That's how long it takes to reply to a message. The instinctive drowning reflex prevents the victim from screaming or flailing their arms: all energy goes into keeping their head above water. Most drownings occur within 10 meters of the shore — depth is not the danger, inattention is.

Signs of a person drowning

Here's what you need to look for:

  • The head is low in the water, mouth at or below the surface
  • Eyes are glassy, empty, or closed
  • The body is vertical, with no visible leg movements
  • Arms are pressing down on the water at the sides (not reaching up)
  • Breathing is rapid, gasping
  • The person does not respond when spoken to

A child who is silent in the water deserves your immediate attention. When in doubt, ask the question — you'll look overly cautious at worst, and you'll have saved a life at best.

Step 1: Call for help immediately

As soon as you suspect drowning, call 911 without delay. Point to someone: "You, call 911 now." This prevents the bystander effect. Stay on the line — the dispatcher can guide you step-by-step.

Step 2: Get the victim out of the water safely

Golden rule: never put your own life at risk. People die every year by jumping in without water rescue training. If you are not trained, here is the order of priorities:

  1. Reach: lie down and extend an arm, a towel, or a rope — anything that reaches the victim without you entering the water.
  2. Throw: throw a floating object (buoy, canister, ball) that they can grab.
  3. Row: approach by boat if possible.
  4. Go: as a last resort, only if you are trained in water rescue.

Once out of the water, lay the victim on their back on a firm surface, without shaking them if you suspect a spinal injury.

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Step 3: Check and perform CPR if necessary

As soon as the victim is out of the water, check: are they conscious and breathing? Tap their shoulders, speak loudly to them. For breathing, tilt their head back, lift their chin, and observe for 10 seconds — chest rising, listen and feel for breath.

If conscious and breathing: place them in the recovery position, cover them to prevent hypothermia, and await help.

If unconscious and not breathing: begin CPR immediately. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation doubles or triples the chances of survival — every minute without oxygen causes irreversible damage.

The basic protocol:

  1. Begin with 5 rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth) — for drowning, the airways often contain water.
  2. Follow with 30 chest compressions (hands in the center of the chest, 5 to 6 cm deep, about 2 per second).
  3. Alternate 2 breaths and 30 compressions until help arrives.

If you are not comfortable with mouth-to-mouth, perform continuous compressions only. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, use it as soon as possible.

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Mistakes never to make

Some spontaneous reflexes can worsen the situation:

  • Jumping into the water without training: a panicked person can inadvertently pull you under.
  • Pressing on the stomach to "expel water": an outdated and dangerous technique — it delays CPR and can cause vomiting that obstructs the airways.
  • Believing the victim is fine because they are conscious: aspirated water can cause delayed respiratory distress. If a person coughs incessantly, has difficulty breathing, or is disoriented within 24 hours of a drowning incident, go to the emergency room.
  • Not delegating: clearly designate who calls 911, who performs CPR, who retrieves the defibrillator.

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Prevention: reduce risks before they happen

The best intervention is the one you never have to make:

  • Undistracted supervision: a designated adult, without phone or reading, eyes fixed on the water. The Lifesaving Society recommends at least one adult for two young children.
  • Fencing the pool: a fence at least 1.2 meters high with a self-closing gate — the most effective prevention measure.
  • Learn to swim early: lessons significantly reduce the risk of drowning from the age of 4.
  • Wear a PFD: on all watercraft and for young children near water.
  • Get CPR training: parents, camp counselors, and facility managers should all have up-to-date certification.
  • Have equipment within reach: a rope, a buoy, a phone, and a first aid kit near the body of water.

You are not a lifeguard. But with the right reflexes, the right training, and the right equipment, you can be the person who makes a difference.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace official first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. The information presented is based on generally recognized first aid recommendations but does not constitute medical advice. In an emergency, always call 911 first. SuperMedic strongly encourages you to obtain certified first aid training from a recognized organization.

Sources

Written By : SuperMedic

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