Drowning
This page will help you prepare and act appropriately to assist someone who is drowning.
When Does Drowning Occur?
Drowning occurs when a person is unable to breathe while submerged in water.
The chances of survival from drowning vary: some may survive without complications, while others may experience serious complications or death.
- What Are the Symptoms of Drowning?
- Difficulty breathing
Repeatedly submerging and resurfacing while trying to stay above the water
What Are the Causes of Drowning?
- Certain factors can increase the likelihood of drowning, including:
- Children aged 1–4 swimming without supervision
- Individuals with epilepsy or heart disease
- Inability to swim
- Lack of fences or barriers around pools
- Water depth that poses a risk based on age and body size
Not wearing a life jacket
How Do You Deal with Drowning?
- If the drowning person is unconscious but breathing:
- Carefully remove the person from the water and lay them on their back on a flat surface
- Ensure the person is responsive and try to communicate with them
- Check for breathing, and if they are breathing, place them in the recovery position, change their clothes, and keep them warm
Call for help and contact an ambulance
- If the drowning person is unconscious and not breathing:
- Call for help by contacting an ambulance; follow the instructions immediately
- Tilt the person’s head back by placing one hand on the forehead and the other under the chin to open the airway
- Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation bygiving five slow breathswhile monitoring breathing.
- Administer 30 chest compressions decisively in the center of the chest.
Repeat two rescue breaths followed by 30 chest compressions until the person improves or help arrives
Emergency Numbers In Gulf Countries:
Oman: 9999
Saudi Arabia: 997
Kuwait: 112
Qatar: 999
UAE: 998
Bahrain: 999
