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WELLtip: What To Do for a Drowning Emergency

Posted Feb 23 2009 10:11pm

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Did you know that drowning is the second most common cause of death among American children under 14?

  • If you think you see a child drowning, immediately alert the lifeguard if one is nearby.
  • If someone else is with you, have them call 911 and stay on the line until help arrives.
  • Try to get the child to grab an oar or a floatation device tied to a rope. (Be careful, rescuing a drowning victim is extremely dangerous, as drowning victims often push their rescuers in an attempt to push themselves up.)
  • If the child cannot respond approach the child from behind, grab around them under their arms, and tow them to shore or to a boat.
  • Once the child is out of the water, make sure the child can breathe. If so, turn the child on their side.
  • If you haven't already, call 911.
  • The child may have some medical ID like a WELLalarm bracelet or a label in their swimsuit. Check for this and call the emergency number.
  • If the child cannot breathe, perform CPR; do not perform the Heimlich Maneuver.
  • Water in the lungs can still kill a child over the next few hours, so even if the child is breathing seek medical care as soon as possible.
  • Check for symptoms of hypothermia.


Prevent drowning in the first place with these important safety tips! Pool Safety from the American Association of PediatricsWater Safety from the Mayo Clinic

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