A child is drowning: how to recognise it and help

Every second counts near water. That’s why it’s important to know what’s written below — save this lesson and share it with others.

A drowning child doesn’t look like they do in the movies

Children drown quietly and quickly — sometimes in as little as 30 seconds. There will be no screaming or waving, and adults may be just a few metres away, on the shore or even in the water.

Remember these signs — they indicate a child is drowning:

• the head is low in the water or going under, the mouth is at the surface level
• the child is silent and doesn’t respond when called
• the body is vertical, movements look like climbing an invisible ladder
• the child may be face down and not moving

A simple rule from rescue services: children are never quiet in the water. If a child suddenly goes silent — check on them immediately.

Call for help and emergency services right away

If there are people nearby, address specific individuals: “You in the red T-shirt — call 999 / 911 / 112, you — bring a ring or a rope.” A generic “somebody help!” is less effective.

The Reach — Throw — Go algorithm

This is the order of actions to follow when rescuing a drowning person: start with the safest method and move to the next only if the previous one didn’t work.

1. Reach. Lie on your stomach at the water’s edge, extend a long object — a stick, towel, belt, fishing rod. Ask the child to grab it and pull them towards you.
2. Throw. If the child is far away, throw something buoyant attached to you with a rope: a life ring, an empty sealed bottle, an inflatable ball. Throw slightly past the child and gradually pull them in.
3. Go. Only if the first two methods haven’t worked. Take a floating object, approach from behind or the side, speak calmly. If the drowning person grabs you and you lose control — swim away and call for help: a panicking person can pull their rescuer under.

After getting the child out of the water

Quickly assess: are they conscious and breathing?

If the child is breathing — turn them onto their side, remove wet clothing, keep them warm, monitor until the ambulance arrives. Don’t give food, water or medication.

If the child is not breathing — start CPR immediately, don’t wait for the ambulance.

Important: don’t turn the child upside down and shake them to “pour out water.” It doesn’t help and you lose precious time.

How to perform CPR on a child

Child CPR differs from adult CPR. The key difference: in drowning cases, start with 5 rescue breaths, and only then compressions. This is because in children, cardiac arrest is more often caused by oxygen deprivation.

Child aged 1 to 13:

• 5 rescue breaths mouth to mouth (nose pinched), make sure the chest rises
• then 30 compressions at the centre of the chest, depth around 5 cm
• after each compression — let the chest fully recoil
• ratio: 30 compressions : 2 breaths
• continue until breathing is restored or the ambulance arrives

Infant under one year:

• 5 rescue breaths mouth to mouth and nose simultaneously (small volume — a gentle puff)
• compressions with two fingers at the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line, depth around 4 cm
• same ratio: 30 : 2

If there is a defibrillator nearby — turn it on and follow the voice instructions. Child pads are the priority, but adult pads will also work.

The most common mistake: too little breath volume or poor seal, compressions not deep enough. The guide is simple: the chest should visibly rise with each breath.

Go to the hospital immediately if there is even one of these symptoms:

• cough, wheezing, shortness of breath
• blue lips
• drowsiness, sluggishness
• vomiting
• loss of consciousness — even briefly

If the child is alert and breathing calmly — observe at home for at least 6–8 hours. If cough, shortness of breath, drowsiness or fever appear within 24 hours — call emergency services. A rise in temperature after drowning may indicate pneumonia.

The child swallowed pool water. Is that dangerous?

Swallowing a small amount of chlorinated water is usually not dangerous: there may be brief nausea, vomiting or stomach pain — these pass on their own. It’s more serious if water has entered the airways: in the first few hours, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath or lethargy may appear. In that case — go to the hospital.

If the child simply “gulped some water” and feels fine — observe for 6–8 hours. Don’t give milk, oil or any medication without a doctor’s advice.

If a neck injury is suspected

If the child dived from height or hit their head — don’t bend or rotate the neck. Hold the head in a neutral position until the ambulance arrives. If CPR is needed — life comes first: open the airway using the jaw thrust technique with minimal neck extension.

What to keep on hand near water

• life ring with rope
• long stick or pole
• whistle
• phone with charge
• emergency blanket
• gloves and a face shield for rescue breathing