Skip to content

Drowning

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

Drowning can happen fast and quietly, in a pool, lake, river, sea, or even a bathtub. This page shows you how to help without becoming a second victim, and what to do once the person is out of the water.

Do this now

  1. Shout for help and call your local emergency number, or have someone else do it (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom).
  2. Reach or throw. Hold out a pole, branch, or towel, or throw something that floats, such as a ring buoy, cooler, or ball. Stay on solid ground.
  3. Do not go into the water unless you are trained in water rescue.
  4. Once the person is out, check if they respond and are breathing normally. If not, start CPR.
  5. Keep them warm and stay with them until help arrives.

Reach or throw, do not go

A person in trouble in the water may panic and grab you, pulling you under. The Red Cross teaches "reach or throw, don't go."

  • Reach: If the person is close to the edge, lie down or brace yourself and reach with a pole, branch, paddle, or clothing. Pull them in slowly.
  • Throw: If they are farther out, throw something that floats, ideally with a rope attached. Throw it past them, then pull it back toward them.
  • Go: Only lifeguards and trained rescuers should enter the water.

Call out to the person and tell them you are getting help. If there is a lifeguard, signal them right away.

... warning "Do not dive in after them" Cold water, current, and waves can overwhelm even strong swimmers. If you cannot reach or throw, keep calling for help and keep your eyes on the person.

When the person is out of the water

Lay them on their back on firm ground. Tap their shoulder and ask loudly if they are all right. Look for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.

If they are not responding and not breathing normally, start CPR. The American Heart Association and the Red Cross say that people who have drowned need rescue breaths as well as chest pushes, because the problem is lack of oxygen.

  1. Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.
  2. Give 2 rescue breaths, each lasting about one second, until the chest rises.
  3. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, then continue with breaths and pushes as taught in a CPR course.
  4. Use an AED, an automated external defibrillator, as soon as one arrives. Dry the chest first.
  5. Keep going until help takes over or the person breathes normally.

If you are alone, do about two minutes of CPR before you call. If you have not been trained in breaths, push on the chest anyway. See CPR for the chest pushes. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

If the person vomits, turn them on their side, clear the mouth, and carry on.

If they are breathing

Place them on their side, in the recovery position. Take off wet clothing, dry them, and cover them with blankets. Keep checking their breathing until help arrives.

Everyone pulled from water needs a check

... danger "Get checked, even if they seem fine" Anyone who has needed rescue, had trouble breathing, coughed a lot, or been under water should be seen by a doctor. Water in the lungs can cause problems hours later, with coughing, chest pain, or trouble breathing. Call for help again if they get worse.

Take children and babies for a check even if they seem well.

Prevent drowning

  • Watch children within arm's reach near water, with no phone or distraction
  • Fence pools and empty buckets and tubs after use
  • Wear a life jacket on boats and in open water
  • Never swim alone or after drinking alcohol
  • Learn to swim, and learn CPR

In a flood, never walk or drive through moving water. See floods and car in water.

... note "Take a course" A Red Cross or similar first aid course teaches water rescue basics and CPR with rescue breaths, with practice on a manikin.