Anyone who has been prevented from drowning should always get professional medical treatment even if they seem to have recovered.

What is it?

Drowning normally occurs when air can't get into the lungs, usually because a small amount of water has entered them. Drowning can also be caused by a throat spasm.

First aid aims

• Restore breathing
• Keep casualty warm
• Take casualty to hospital

Actions

• If you are rescuing casualty from water, keep their head lower than body at all times (to prevent inhalation of fluids)
• Lay casualty on back, open airway and check breathing
• Cover in warm blanket and reassure them
• Don't attempt to force water from casualty's stomach

Further actions

• Prepare to offer resuscitation if needed
• Watch the casualty for symptoms of hypothermia and treat accordingly
• Place casualty in recovery position so water can drain from their mouth
• Go to hospital, even if they seem to have recovered completely