Many of us are completely unaware of the fact that every year, all over the world, thousands of people die by drowning! A person is considered to be drowning when their mouth and nose are submerged in the water, and they are unable to breathe as a result. It is rather surprising, given the number of recorded drowning incidents each year, that there is not an alert associated with this hazard.  

But what can people do to prevent such a thing? Following water safety standards is the first step towards preventing drowning, and the initial element in this process is an understanding that anybody can drown. Even seasoned swimmers drown sometimes, so recognizing that water safety is a primary priority can help us establish a safer environment for common water activities!

It all comes down to awareness of your surroundings, which includes the presence of hidden currents, but it also entails making wise choices. Remember that you should stay in designated swim zones where help is more readily available and always avoid swimming alone. It is even better if you decide to learn a bit about CPR and other techniques, such as mouth to mouth breathing, to help someone in need. But be careful, it is great to offer first aid in drowning, but do not try to save someone all alone since that can quickly become dangerous for you as well.  

How Drowning Happens 

People don’t just drop like stones while swimming, in fact, drowning has multiple stages, so take a look: 

• When submerged in water, a person's natural reaction is to keep their head above the surface in order to breathe. But they become exhausted and stressed out as a result of this huge effort, which causes them to breathe while still underwater.
• However, some people who can't stay above the water may take one last breath and hold it while underwater. When someone holds their breath underwater, their body's supply of oxygen starts to run short, and their carbon dioxide levels rise. This triggers the body's natural respiratory reaction, which might cause the person to start breathing while underwater.
• As more water is gulped down by the person, they may start to become unconscious because they lack oxygen in the body. A person may also suffer brain damage and lose their ability to think or move normally when this happens.  
• Excessive water consumption can damage or even cause the lungs to collapse, which can lead to cardiac arrest in some people.

The victim in these cases may not be able to recover if medical attention is not given! A person may drown silently and rapidly, and it's not always easy to tell whether they're having problems breathing. With some knowledge of first aid in drowning, you can better identify the situation, and offer help when necessary! 

First Aid of a Conscious and Responsive Drowning Victim 

After the person is hauled out of the water, get them into the most comfortable position and if the temperature is a bit cold, you should assume that the person is suffering from hypothermia. So, check pulse and quickly wrap them with blankets, or coats to keep them warm while they are on the ground. Even though the person may be responsive, it is still possible that they drank water, so make sure they receive medical assistance as soon as possible!  

First Aid of an Unresponsive Drowning Victim

After the person is brought to safety, tilt their head back and lift their chin with one hand on their forehead and two fingers beneath the chin. You must place the person in the safe airway position, also known as the recovery position, ideally on an insulated surface to allow any fluid to exit their mouth. Check pulse, and if they are not breathing, it is time to provide oxygen by mouth to mouth breathing or start CPR.  

Why Perform CPR after Drowning?

CPR is necessary to restore blood flow and oxygenation to the brain in a person who almost drowned! The brain's oxygen supply slows down or stops completely after a hypoxic event, like drowning, which can often result in cardiac and respiratory collapse in many people. In order to keep the victim alive, mouth to mouth breaths and chest compressions work together to boost the victim's blood oxygen level and give them a life-sustaining amount of oxygen. When performed properly, CPR can potentially save lives and is a crucial part of drowning emergency first aid response.

How to Perform CPR on Drowning Victims 

While you perform CPR, ask someone to contact emergency services immediately so that help can arrive! The core principles of CPR are always the same, however, the victim's age influences the amount of force that can and should be applied.  

• First of all, clear the victim's airway by using the head-tilt technique.
• Check if the victim reacts in any way by using the Shout-Tap-Shout technique. In this method, to get a response, yell, and tap the shoulder, and then yell again.
• The patient should be placed on their back on a flat, firm surface when you start CPR. Execute 30 chest compressions at a depth of two inches while keeping your shoulders straight over your hands and placing your two hands centered on their chest. 
• Allow their chest to return to its natural posture after each compression. Squeeze their nose shut, take a normal breath, and cover their entire mouth with yours, and breathe into their mouth.  
• Ensure that the victim's chest rises and that their breaths become at least slightly normal. Proceed until help arrives. Provide them with any details you are aware of regarding the drowning incident. 

Final Remarks

Accidental drowning can happen to anyone, and even the swimmers who spend hours in the water may start to drown if things go wrong! To provide first aid after the victim has been rescued and brought to shore, the best method is to begin CPR and mouth to mouth breathing. Learning CPR is actually highly recommended for those who work near water often or live in houses near the ocean or have swimming pools. 

Remember that even the basic first aid can help save someone’s life, so there’s no harm in taking a first aid in drowning course if you spend a lot of time near natural water bodies. After the victim has received some treatment, it is a must that they are taken to the emergency room promptly!  

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