{"id":60871,"date":"2026-08-30T22:44:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T19:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/?p=60871"},"modified":"2026-10-02T01:32:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T22:32:36","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":"\r\n
Every second counts near water. That’s why it’s important to know what’s written below \u2014 save this lesson and share it with others.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A drowning child doesn’t look like they do in the movies<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Children drown quietly and quickly \u2014 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Remember these signs \u2014 they indicate a child is drowning:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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the head is low in the water or going under, the mouth is at the surface level<\/li>\r\n
the child is silent and doesn’t respond when called<\/li>\r\n
the body is vertical, movements look like climbing an invisible ladder<\/li>\r\n
the child may be face down and not moving<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A simple rule from rescue services: children are never quiet in the water. If a child suddenly goes silent \u2014 check on them immediately.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Call for help and emergency services right away<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If there are people nearby, address specific individuals: “You in the red T-shirt \u2014 call 999 \/ 911 \/ 112, you \u2014 bring a ring or a rope.” A generic “somebody help!” is less effective.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The Reach \u2014 Throw \u2014 Go algorithm<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Reach.<\/strong> Lie on your stomach at the water’s edge, extend a long object \u2014 a stick, towel, belt, fishing rod. Ask the child to grab it and pull them towards you.<\/li>\r\n
Throw.<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\r\n
Go.<\/strong> 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 \u2014 swim away and call for help: a panicking person can pull their rescuer under.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
After getting the child out of the water<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Quickly assess: are they conscious and breathing?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If the child is breathing<\/strong> \u2014 turn them onto their side, remove wet clothing, keep them warm, monitor until the ambulance arrives. Don’t give food, water or medication.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If the child is not breathing<\/strong> \u2014 start CPR immediately, don’t wait for the ambulance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Important: don’t turn the child upside down and shake them to “pour out water.” It doesn’t help and you lose precious time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How to perform CPR on a child<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Child aged 1 to 13<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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5 rescue breaths mouth to mouth (nose pinched), make sure the chest rises<\/li>\r\n
then 30 compressions at the centre of the chest, depth around 5 cm<\/li>\r\n
after each compression \u2014 let the chest fully recoil<\/li>\r\n
ratio: 30 compressions : 2 breaths<\/li>\r\n
continue until breathing is restored or the ambulance arrives<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Infant under one year<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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5 rescue breaths mouth to mouth and nose simultaneously (small volume \u2014 a gentle puff)<\/li>\r\n
compressions with two fingers at the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line, depth around 4 cm<\/li>\r\n
same ratio: 30 : 2<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If there is a defibrillator nearby \u2014 turn it on and follow the voice instructions. Child pads are the priority, but adult pads will also work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Go to the hospital immediately if there is even one of these symptoms<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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cough, wheezing, shortness of breath<\/li>\r\n
blue lips<\/li>\r\n
drowsiness, sluggishness<\/li>\r\n
vomiting<\/li>\r\n
loss of consciousness \u2014 even briefly<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If the child is alert and breathing calmly \u2014 observe at home for at least 6\u20138 hours. If cough, shortness of breath, drowsiness or fever appear within 24 hours \u2014 call emergency services. A rise in temperature after drowning may indicate pneumonia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The child swallowed pool water. Is that dangerous?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Swallowing a small amount of chlorinated water is usually not dangerous: there may be brief nausea, vomiting or stomach pain \u2014 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 \u2014 go to the hospital.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If the child simply “gulped some water” and feels fine \u2014 observe for 6\u20138 hours. Don’t give milk, oil or any medication without a doctor’s advice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If a neck injury is suspected<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If the child dived from height or hit their head \u2014 don’t bend or rotate the neck. Hold the head in a neutral position until the ambulance arrives. If CPR is needed \u2014 life comes first: open the airway using the jaw thrust technique with minimal neck extension.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What to keep on hand near water<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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life ring with rope<\/li>\r\n
long stick or pole<\/li>\r\n
whistle<\/li>\r\n
phone with charge<\/li>\r\n
emergency blanket<\/li>\r\n
gloves and a face shield for rescue breathing<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Cheat sheet. Save this to your phone<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\ud83c\udd98 Reach \u2014 Throw \u2014 Go (only go in the water if you’re a confident swimmer)<\/li>\r\n
\ud83d\udc76 Infant: same 30:2 ratio, but two fingers and breaths into mouth + nose<\/li>\r\n
\ud83d\ude91 See a doctor right away: cough, wheezing, blue lips, drowsiness, vomiting, loss of consciousness<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Sources:<\/strong> American Heart Association (AHA) \u2014 Pediatric Basic Life Support guidelines; American Red Cross \u2014 Water Safety and Drowning Prevention guidelines.<\/p>\r\n\t\t