{"id":60871,"date":"2026-08-30T22:44:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T19:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/?p=60871"},"modified":"2026-08-30T22:44:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T19:44:35","slug":"a-child-is-drowning-how-to-recognise-it-and-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/en\/a-child-is-drowning-how-to-recognise-it-and-help","title":{"rendered":"A child is drowning: how to recognise it and help"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Every second counts near water. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to\u00a0know what\u2019s written below\u00a0\u2014 save this lesson and share it\u00a0with others.<\/p>\n<h2>A\u00a0drowning child doesn\u2019t look like they do\u00a0in\u00a0the movies<\/h2>\n<p>Children drown quietly and quickly\u00a0\u2014 sometimes in\u00a0as\u00a0little as\u00a030\u00a0seconds. There will be\u00a0no\u00a0screaming or\u00a0waving, and adults may be\u00a0just a\u00a0few metres away, on\u00a0the shore or\u00a0even in\u00a0the water.<\/p>\n<p>Remember these signs\u00a0\u2014 they indicate a\u00a0child is\u00a0drowning:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left; width: 100%;\">\n<li>the head is\u00a0low in\u00a0the water or\u00a0going under, the mouth is\u00a0at\u00a0the surface level<\/li>\n<li>the child is\u00a0silent and doesn\u2019t respond when called<\/li>\n<li>the body is\u00a0vertical, movements look like climbing an\u00a0invisible ladder<\/li>\n<li>the child may be\u00a0face down and not moving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A\u00a0simple rule from rescue services: children are never quiet in\u00a0the water. If\u00a0a\u00a0child suddenly goes silent\u00a0\u2014 check on\u00a0them immediately.<\/p>\n<h2>Call for help and emergency services right away<\/h2>\n<p>If\u00a0there are people nearby, address specific individuals: \u201cYou in\u00a0the red T-shirt\u00a0\u2014 call 999\u00a0\/ 911\u00a0\/ 112, you\u00a0\u2014 bring a\u00a0ring or\u00a0a\u00a0rope.\u201d A\u00a0generic \u201csomebody help!\u201d is\u00a0less effective.<\/p>\n<h2>The Reach\u00a0\u2014 Throw\u00a0\u2014 Go\u00a0algorithm<\/h2>\n<p>This is\u00a0the order of\u00a0actions to\u00a0follow when rescuing a\u00a0drowning person: start with the safest method and move to\u00a0the next only if\u00a0the previous one didn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong> Reach.<\/strong> Lie on\u00a0your stomach at\u00a0the water\u2019s edge, extend a\u00a0long object\u00a0\u2014 a\u00a0stick, towel, belt, fishing rod. Ask the child to\u00a0grab it\u00a0and pull them towards you.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Throw.<\/strong> If\u00a0the child is\u00a0far away, throw something buoyant attached to\u00a0you with a\u00a0rope: a\u00a0life ring, an\u00a0empty sealed bottle, an\u00a0inflatable ball. Throw slightly past the child and gradually pull them\u00a0in.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Go.<\/strong> Only if\u00a0the first two methods haven\u2019t worked. Take a\u00a0floating object, approach from behind or\u00a0the side, speak calmly. If\u00a0the drowning person grabs you and you lose control\u00a0\u2014 swim away and call for help: a\u00a0panicking person can pull their rescuer under.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>After getting the child out of\u00a0the water<\/h2>\n<p>Quickly assess: are they conscious and breathing?<\/p>\n<p><strong>If\u00a0the child is\u00a0breathing<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 turn them onto their side, remove wet clothing, keep them warm, monitor until the ambulance arrives. Don\u2019t give food, water or\u00a0medication.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If\u00a0the child is\u00a0not breathing<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 start CPR immediately, don\u2019t wait for the ambulance.<\/p>\n<p>Important: don\u2019t turn the child upside down and shake them to\u00a0\u201cpour out water.\u201d It\u00a0doesn\u2019t help and you lose precious time.<\/p>\n<h2>How to\u00a0perform CPR on\u00a0a\u00a0child<\/h2>\n<p>Child CPR differs from adult CPR. The key difference: in\u00a0drowning cases, start with 5\u00a0rescue breaths, and only then compressions. This is\u00a0because in\u00a0children, cardiac arrest is\u00a0more often caused by\u00a0oxygen deprivation.<\/p>\n<h3>Child aged 1\u00a0to\u00a013:<\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left; width: 100%;\">\n<li>5\u00a0rescue breaths mouth to\u00a0mouth (nose pinched), make sure the chest rises<\/li>\n<li>then 30\u00a0compressions at\u00a0the centre of\u00a0the chest, depth around 5\u00a0cm<\/li>\n<li>after each compression\u00a0\u2014 let the chest fully recoil<\/li>\n<li>ratio: 30\u00a0compressions : 2\u00a0breaths<\/li>\n<li>continue until breathing is\u00a0restored or\u00a0the ambulance arrives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Infant under one year:<\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left; width: 100%;\">\n<li>5\u00a0rescue breaths mouth to\u00a0mouth and nose simultaneously (small volume\u00a0\u2014 a\u00a0gentle puff)<\/li>\n<li>compressions with two fingers at\u00a0the centre of\u00a0the chest, just below the nipple line, depth around 4\u00a0cm<\/li>\n<li>same ratio: 30 : 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If\u00a0there is\u00a0a\u00a0defibrillator nearby\u00a0\u2014 turn it\u00a0on\u00a0and follow the voice instructions. Child pads are the priority, but adult pads will also work.<\/p>\n<p>The most common mistake: too little breath volume or\u00a0poor seal, compressions not deep enough. The guide is\u00a0simple: the chest should visibly rise with each breath.<\/p>\n<h3>Go\u00a0to\u00a0the hospital immediately if\u00a0there is\u00a0even one of\u00a0these symptoms:<\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left; width: 100%;\">\n<li>cough, wheezing, shortness of\u00a0breath<\/li>\n<li>blue lips<\/li>\n<li>drowsiness, sluggishness<\/li>\n<li>vomiting<\/li>\n<li>loss of\u00a0consciousness\u00a0\u2014 even briefly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If\u00a0the child is\u00a0alert and breathing calmly\u00a0\u2014 observe at\u00a0home for at\u00a0least 6\u20138\u00a0hours. If\u00a0cough, shortness of\u00a0breath, drowsiness or\u00a0fever appear within 24\u00a0hours\u00a0\u2014 call emergency services. A\u00a0rise in\u00a0temperature after drowning may indicate pneumonia.<\/p>\n<h2>The child swallowed pool water. Is\u00a0that dangerous?<\/h2>\n<p>Swallowing a\u00a0small amount of\u00a0chlorinated water is\u00a0usually not dangerous: there may be\u00a0brief nausea, vomiting or\u00a0stomach pain\u00a0\u2014 these pass on\u00a0their own. It\u2019s more serious if\u00a0water has entered the airways: in\u00a0the first few hours, cough, wheezing, shortness of\u00a0breath or\u00a0lethargy may appear. In\u00a0that case\u00a0\u2014 go\u00a0to\u00a0the hospital.<\/p>\n<p>If\u00a0the child simply \u201cgulped some water\u201d and feels fine\u00a0\u2014 observe for 6\u20138\u00a0hours. Don\u2019t give milk, oil or\u00a0any medication without a\u00a0doctor\u2019s advice.<\/p>\n<h2>If\u00a0a\u00a0neck injury is\u00a0suspected<\/h2>\n<p>If\u00a0the child dived from height or\u00a0hit their head\u00a0\u2014 don\u2019t bend or\u00a0rotate the neck. Hold the head in\u00a0a\u00a0neutral position until the ambulance arrives. If\u00a0CPR is\u00a0needed\u00a0\u2014 life comes first: open the airway using the jaw thrust technique with minimal neck extension.<\/p>\n<h2>What to\u00a0keep on\u00a0hand near water<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left; width: 100%;\">\n<li>life ring with rope<\/li>\n<li>long stick or\u00a0pole<\/li>\n<li>whistle<\/li>\n<li>phone with charge<\/li>\n<li>emergency blanket<\/li>\n<li>gloves and a\u00a0face shield for rescue breathing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<div class=\"wpulike wpulike-default \" ><div class=\"wp_ulike_general_class wp_ulike_is_not_liked\"><button type=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Like Button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-id=\"60871\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-nonce=\"d48cbd3ce8\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-type=\"likeThis\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-template=\"wpulike-default\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-display-likers=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-ulike-disable-pophover=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp_ulike_btn wp_ulike_put_image wp_likethis_60871\"><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every second counts near water. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to\u00a0know what\u2019s written below\u00a0\u2014 save this&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":60873,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"layf_related_links":[""],"layf_exclude_from_feed":["1"],"_fmk_faq_pairs":["a:0:{}"],"_fmk_faq_hash":["4be7a85b041c58f42f05533eb046b152"],"classic-editor-remember":["classic-editor"],"_edit_lock":["1788173981:1"],"_edit_last":["46"],"_thumbnail_id":["60873"],"mpulseenable_meta_value":["no"],"yzcategory_meta_value":["\u0414\u043e\u043c"],"yzrating_meta_value":["\u041d\u0435\u0442 (\u043d\u0435 \u0434\u043b\u044f \u0432\u0437\u0440\u043e\u0441\u043b\u044b\u0445)"],"yzrssenabled_meta_value":["no"],"_s2mail":["yes"],"_ez-toc-disabled":[""],"_ez-toc-insert":[""],"_ez-toc-header-label":[""],"_ez-toc-device-target":[""],"_ez-toc-alignment":["none"],"_ez-toc-heading-levels":["a:0:{}"],"_ez-toc-alttext":[""],"_ez-toc-visibility_hide_by_default":[""],"_ez-toc-hide_counter":[""],"_ez-toc-exclude":[""],"_ez-toc-word_count_limit":["0"],"_ez-toc-position-specific":[""],"\u0430\u0432\u0442\u043e\u0440":["The Findmykids Editorial Team"],"_\u0430\u0432\u0442\u043e\u0440":["field_5e33cab3984d1"],"\u0444\u043e\u0442\u043e":["3272"],"_\u0444\u043e\u0442\u043e":["field_5e33cbc1984d2"],"hide-in-popular":[""],"_hide-in-popular":["field_5d0c8a5b4fde2"],"custom_title":[""],"_custom_title":["field_67cfbde67c007"],"custom_image":[""],"_custom_image":["field_67d012de223ac"],"custom_alt":[""],"_custom_alt":["field_67d012f6223ad"],"read_more":[""],"_read_more":["field_67d0130e223ae"],"article_audio":[""],"_article_audio":["field_6a74a77ac6165"],"_aioseo_title":[null],"_aioseo_description":[null],"_aioseo_keywords":[""],"_aioseo_og_title":[null],"_aioseo_og_description":[null],"_aioseo_og_article_section":[""],"_aioseo_og_article_tags":[""],"_aioseo_twitter_title":[null],"_aioseo_twitter_description":[null]},"categories":[668],"tags":[],"language":[3],"acf":{"custom_title":"","custom_image":"","custom_alt":"","read_more":"","article_audio":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/cdn-blog.findmykids.org\/2026\/08\/Rebenok-tonet.png","author_info":{"display_name":"The Findmykids Editorial Team","author_link":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/ru\/author\/find-my-kids"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cdn-blog.findmykids.org\/2026\/08\/Rebenok-tonet.png","reading_time":"3","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60871"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60871"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60874,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60871\/revisions\/60874"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60871"},{"taxonomy":"language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/language?post=60871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}