Near Drowning First Aid

Near Drowning First Aid

Near Drowning First Aid – Introduction

Near Drowning First Aid is an important topic for everyone in Canada. It covers the immediate steps you can take if someone has nearly drowned or struggled in water. This information focuses on first aid and prevention, not on full medical training. It aims to help you act safely and effectively until professional help arrives.

Near drowning happens when a person has trouble breathing after being underwater or submerged. Quick and careful action can save lives and reduce complications. This guide explains what you can do at home, what you should avoid, and When To Call 911 or go to the emergency department or urgent care.

Medically reviewed by SASI Medical Review Board.

What You Can Do at Home

• Remove the person from the water safely without putting yourself at risk.
• Check if the person is breathing and responsive.
• If trained, provide CPR if the person is not breathing or has no pulse.
• Keep the person warm and comfortable while waiting for help.

What to Avoid

• Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths if you are not trained.
• Avoid moving the person unnecessarily, especially if you suspect a neck or spinal injury.
• Do not delay calling emergency services if the person is unresponsive or struggling to breathe.

When to Call 911 or Seek Urgent Care

• If the person is unconscious or not breathing, call 911 immediately.
• If the person has difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, or chest pain after near drowning.
• If the person shows confusion, weakness, or any worsening symptoms after the incident.

Near Drowning First Aid – Key facts

Near Drowning First Aid is critical to improve outcomes after a water-related emergency. Knowing what to do and When to seek help can save lives.

• Always call 911 immediately if someone has been underwater and is unresponsive or struggling to breathe.
• If the person is conscious and breathing, keep them calm and warm. Do not give food or drink until fully assessed by a healthcare professional.
• Do not attempt to remove water from the lungs or perform invasive procedures at home. Focus on keeping the airway open and monitoring breathing.
• Prevent near drowning by supervising children closely around water and using life jackets when boating or swimming in open water.
• After rescue, even if the person seems fine, seek urgent medical evaluation. Complications can develop hours later.
• Do not delay calling emergency services if the person shows any signs of confusion, coughing, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness.
• Learn basic CPR and rescue breathing techniques to provide immediate help while waiting for emergency responders.

Near Drowning First Aid – Recognizing symptoms and danger signs

Near Drowning First Aid starts with knowing the symptoms and danger signs. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms may include coughing, slight difficulty breathing, or feeling tired after being in water. These can often be managed safely at home with rest and monitoring.

Moderate symptoms include persistent coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. If these occur, it is important to seek medical advice promptly, as the condition can worsen.

Severe symptoms are life-threatening and require immediate action. These include:

• Difficulty breathing or gasping for air
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Blue or pale skin, lips, or nails
• Severe chest pain or persistent coughing up blood
• Confusion, dizziness, or seizures

If any severe symptoms appear, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Do not delay, as rapid treatment can save lives.

Always avoid giving anything by mouth if the person is unconscious or struggling to breathe. Do not attempt to induce vomiting. Instead, focus on keeping the airway open and monitoring breathing until help arrives.

Near Drowning First Aid – Immediate first aid steps

Near Drowning First Aid requires calm and quick action to improve the person’s chance of recovery. If you find someone who has been submerged in water and is unresponsive or struggling to breathe, act immediately while waiting for emergency services.

What you can do safely at home or in the community

• Remove the person from the water carefully to avoid injury.
• Check if the person is breathing and has a pulse.
• If the person is not breathing, call 911 right away and begin hands-only CPR if you are trained.
• If the person is breathing but unconscious, place them in the recovery position to keep their airway open and prevent choking.
• Keep the person warm and monitor their breathing and responsiveness until help arrives.

What you must avoid

• Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation unless you are trained and confident in doing so.
• Avoid moving the person unnecessarily if you suspect a spinal injury.
• Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.

When to call 911 or seek urgent care

• Call 911 immediately if the person is unresponsive, not breathing, or has difficulty breathing.
• Seek emergency care if the person coughs up water, has persistent coughing, chest pain, or confusion after near drowning.
• Always err on the side of caution and get professional medical help even if symptoms seem mild at first.

Near Drowning First Aid – What NOT to do

When providing Near Drowning First Aid, certain actions can make the situation worse. Avoid these common mistakes to keep the person safe until professional help arrives.

Do NOT delay calling for help

• Never wait to see if symptoms improve on their own. If the person is unresponsive, struggling to breathe, or coughing persistently, call 911 immediately.

Do NOT give the person anything to eat or drink

Offering food or fluids can increase the risk of choking or vomiting. Wait for medical professionals to assess the situation.

Do NOT perform risky or untrained procedures

• Avoid trying to clear the airway with fingers or objects, as this may cause injury or push water deeper.
• Do not attempt mouth-to-mouth resuscitation unless you are trained and confident in performing CPR.

Do NOT leave the person alone

Stay with the individual and monitor their breathing and consciousness until emergency responders arrive. If they become unresponsive, call 911 immediately.

Do NOT ignore symptoms after near drowning

Even if the person seems fine, symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest pain can develop later. Seek urgent medical care or go to the emergency department promptly.

Near Drowning First Aid – When to call 911 or seek urgent care

Near Drowning First Aid requires quick and careful decisions about when to call 911 or seek medical help. If the person is not breathing, unconscious, or has no pulse, call 911 immediately. These are life-threatening emergencies that need urgent professional care.

Call 911 or go to the emergency department if the person:

• Has difficulty breathing or persistent coughing after near drowning
• Is confused, drowsy, or loses consciousness
• Shows signs of shock, such as pale, clammy skin or rapid heartbeat
• Has chest pain or severe coughing up blood
• Develops blue lips or fingernails (signs of low oxygen)

If the person appears stable but swallowed water or inhaled debris, it is safer to visit the emergency department or urgent care centre for evaluation. They may need monitoring or treatment to prevent complications.

For minor concerns, such as mild coughing or throat irritation without breathing difficulty, a visit to a family doctor or walk-in clinic is appropriate. Avoid delaying care if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.

Never attempt to treat serious symptoms at home. When in doubt, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Prompt action can save lives in near drowning situations.

Near Drowning First Aid – Ongoing care and follow-up

After a near drowning event, careful monitoring and self-care are essential. Even if the person seems fine initially, complications can develop hours or days later. Stay alert to any changes in breathing, consciousness, or behaviour.

At-home monitoring

• Check breathing regularly for any difficulty, wheezing, or rapid breaths.
• Watch for coughing, chest pain, or persistent coughing up of fluid.
• Note any confusion, drowsiness, or unusual behaviour.
• Keep the person resting and avoid strenuous activity until cleared by a healthcare provider.

When to seek urgent care

Call 911 or go to the emergency department immediately if the person develops:

• Severe difficulty breathing or choking sensations
• Loss of consciousness or seizures
• Chest pain or persistent coughing with blood
• Confusion, extreme drowsiness, or inability to stay awake

Follow-up with a doctor

Book a medical appointment within 24 to 48 hours after the event, even if symptoms seem mild. A healthcare provider can assess lung function and watch for delayed complications such as pneumonia or lung inflammation.

Near Drowning First Aid does not end once the person is stable. Careful observation and timely medical follow-up help ensure a full recovery and reduce risks of serious problems.

Near Drowning First Aid – Prevention tips

Preventing near drowning incidents requires attention to safety at home, work, school, and in the community. Simple habits and environmental changes can reduce risks and protect everyone, especially children and those who are less confident swimmers.

At home and in the community

• Always supervise children closely when they are near water, including bathtubs, pools, and natural bodies of water.
• Install barriers such as pool fences with self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access.
• Keep rescue equipment like life rings or reaching poles easily accessible near pools or waterfronts.
• Learn and teach basic water safety rules, such as never swimming alone and avoiding running near pools.
• Ensure everyone wears properly fitted life jackets when boating or participating in water sports.

At work and school

• Follow workplace safety guidelines for water-related activities and ensure staff are trained in emergency response basics.
• Schools and camps should maintain strict supervision ratios and have clear emergency plans for water activities.
• Encourage regular swimming lessons to improve water confidence and skills.

Remember, near drowning first aid is easier to perform when prevention reduces the chance of emergencies. If someone shows signs of distress in water or after a near drowning event, call 911 immediately. Do not delay seeking emergency care for any breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, or persistent coughing after water exposure.

Near Drowning First Aid – FAQs

What should I do if someone is rescued from near drowning?

First, call 911 immediately. Check if the person is breathing and has a pulse. If they are not breathing, begin CPR if you are trained. Keep the person lying flat and warm. Do not give them anything to eat or drink. Wait for emergency responders to arrive.

Can I safely perform first aid for near drowning at home?

Yes, you can provide basic first aid while waiting for help. Ensure the person’s airway is clear and they are breathing. If trained, perform CPR if breathing stops. Keep the person calm and warm. Avoid moving them unnecessarily, especially if you suspect a neck or spinal injury.

What should I avoid doing after a near drowning incident?

• Do not try to induce vomiting.
• Avoid giving the person anything to eat or drink.
• Do not leave the person alone, even if they seem fine.
• Do not delay calling emergency services, even if symptoms appear mild.

When should I call 911 or go to urgent care after near drowning?

Call 911 immediately if the person is unconscious, not breathing, or has difficulty breathing. Also seek urgent care if they cough persistently, have chest pain, or show confusion or weakness. Early medical assessment is crucial to prevent complications.

How can I prevent near drowning accidents?

• Always supervise children near water.
• Learn basic water safety and CPR.
• Use life jackets when boating or swimming in open water.
• Ensure pools have proper barriers and alarms.

Near Drowning First Aid – Summary

Near Drowning First Aid is crucial for improving outcomes after a water-related emergency. If someone has been rescued from water and is not breathing or is unconscious, call 911 immediately and begin CPR if you are trained. Always prioritise calling emergency services without delay in life-threatening situations.

At home, you can help by:

• Removing the person from water safely without putting yourself at risk
• Checking their breathing and pulse
• Keeping the person warm and comfortable while waiting for help

Avoid giving anything by mouth or trying to clear the airway with fingers unless you see a visible obstruction. Do not delay calling 911 to attempt treatments beyond basic first aid. If the person is conscious but coughing or struggling to breathe, seek urgent medical care immediately.

Remember, even if the person seems fine after near drowning, they still Need Medical evaluation. Complications can develop hours later, so prompt assessment at an emergency department or urgent care centre is essential.

Near Drowning First Aid – References

• Health Canada – First Aid
• Mayo Clinic – Near Drowning First Aid
• World Health Organization – Drowning
• Canadian Red Cross – Water Safety

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency care. Always call 911 or your local emergency number in a medical emergency.