What to Do in Case of Drowning
Summary
– Step 1: Get the person out of the water
– Step 2: Call for help
– Step 3: Waiting for help
– Tips to avoid the risk of drowning
Every year, many drownings occur. Unfortunately, children are the main victims of these accidents, so it is important to know what to do in case of drowning.
A few simple actions can save lives or help you wait for help to arrive.
1. Get the person out of the water
To bring the person back to dry land:
– Either you are a good swimmer or have a good foothold: you can help the drowning person by holding your hand.
– Or the person is far away, and you can’t reach them: in this case, throw them a rope, a piece of wood or ideally a buoy, an object on which they can lean or which will help you to pull them.
– If you are only an average swimmer, beware! The person may drag you to the bottom when you come to their aid. You will be more helpful by calling for help or contacting emergency services.
Caution: Do not put yourself in danger by pulling the victim out of the water!
2. Call for help
Once the person is out of the water:
– Make a quick assessment of your victim to inform the emergency services: state of consciousness, breathing, pulse…
– Contact the emergency services as soon as possible: dial 15 for the emergency services, 18 for the fire department and 112 if you are abroad.
3. Waiting for help
Whether the victim is breathing or not, the life-saving reflex is not the same.
If the person is breathing
If the person is breathing, place him/her in the Lateral safety position to avoid any risk of suffocation, especially if he/she is vomiting.
Warm and cover the person if he or she shows signs of hypothermia or is cold.
If necessary, remove wet clothes from the victim: do not be too detailed; tear them off one by one as they stick to the skin.
If the person is not breathing
If the victim has stopped breathing, place him/her flat on his/her back and press on the abdomen to expel any water in the lungs.
Perform standard resuscitation maneuvers: mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac massage if the heart is also stopped.
Good to know: in all cases, the person must be hospitalized to ensure that the lungs are free of water.
Tips to avoid the risk of drowning
These essential tips cannot be repeated enough:
– Never leave children unattended in the water.
– Make sure you avoid hydrocution by not swimming right away if:
◦ you have just come from the table (especially if the meal was large), wait 3 or 4 hours;
◦ the water is cold, and you have just had a long exposure to the sun.
Read more:
– Securing Your Entrance Door With a Lifetime-Protected Key;
– Securing Your Home With an Armored Door;
– Garage Door Automation for a Safer Home;
– How to Choose Your Home Automation Gate?
– 10 Ideas Under $100 to Protect Yourself From Intruders;
– Home Automation and Security: How Does It Work?
– Everything There Is to Know About Security Cameras;
– What Is Home Automation and Security;
– How to Secure Your New Home After a Move?
– Common Myths About Home Burglaries;
Hope this post is helpful to you. Remember to share your experience in the comments below.
