Drowning
First of all, do not enter the water to help unless it is absolutely essential.
Once the person is on land, if they are not breathing, open the airway and give five initial rescue breaths before starting CPR. If you are alone, perform CPR for one minute before calling for emergency help.
If the person is unconscious but still breathing, turn them into the recovery position with their head lower than their body to allow water to drain out, and call an ambulance immediately.
What is CPR and how to perform it?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first aid technique that can be used if someone is not breathing properly or if their heart has stopped.
Chest compressions and rescue breaths keep blood and oxygen circulating in the body.
If someone is not breathing normally and is not moving or responding to you after an accident, call for an ambulance. Then, if you can, start CPR straight away.
Hands-only CPR
If you have not been trained in CPR or are worried about giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a stranger, you can do chest compression-only CPR.
“First what you need to do is place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers. Second position yourself with your shoulders above your hands. Third using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5–6cm on their chest, and the last one is to repeat this until an ambulance arrives.”
Try to perform chest compressions at 100-120 chest compressions a minute.
When you call for an ambulance, telephone systems now exist that can give basic life-saving instructions, including advice on CPR. These are now common and are easily accessible with mobile phones.
CPR with rescue breaths
If you’ve been trained in CPR, including rescue breaths, and feel confident using your skills, you should give chest compressions with rescue breaths.
For Adults
“The very first basic step is place the heel of your hand on the centre of the person's chest, then place the other hand on top and press down by 5–6cm at a steady rate, at approximately 100 compressions per minute. Then after every 30 chest compressions, give two breaths. The third step is to tilt the casualty's head gently and lift the chin up with two fingers. Pinch the person’s nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth. Check that their chest rises. Give two rescue breaths. Finally, continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.”
For Children over one year old
“What you have to do is to open the child's airway by placing one hand on the child’s forehead and gently tilting their head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose. Then pinch their nose. Seal your mouth over their mouth and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth, checking that their chest rises. Give five initial rescue breaths. After that place the heel of your hand on the centre of their chest and press down by at least one-third of the depth of the chest. Use two hands if you can't press down hard enough with one. Don’t forget after every 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute, give two breaths. And the last step is to continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.”
For Babies under one year old
“Like the CPR for children over one year old, open the baby's airway by placing one hand on their forehead and gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Remove any visible obstructions from the mouth and nose. After that place your mouth over the mouth and nose of the infant and blow steadily and firmly into their mouth, checking that their chest rises. Give five initial rescue breaths. Then place two fingers in the middle of the chest and press down by one-third of the depth of the chest. Use the heel of one hand if you cannot press deep enough with two fingers. After 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute, give two breaths. Last one is to continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.”
What is recovery position and how to perform it?
The recovery position refers to one of a series of variations on a lateral recumbent or three-quarters prone position of the body, in to which an unconscious but breathing casualty can be placed as part of first aid treatment.
Putting someone in the recovery position will ensure their airway remains clear and open. It also ensures that any vomit or fluid will not cause them to choke.
To place someone in the recovery position:
• kneel on the floor on one side of the person
• place the arm nearest you at a right angle to their body with their hand upwards towards the head
• tuck their other hand under the side of their head, so that the back of their hand is touching their cheek
• bend the knee farthest from you to a right angle
• roll the person onto their side carefully by pulling on the bent knee
• the top arm should be supporting the head and the bottom arm will stop you rolling them too far
• open their airway by gently tilting their head back and lifting their chin, and check that nothing is blocking their airway
• stay with the person and monitor their breathing and pulse continuously until help arrives
• if their injuries allow you to, turn the person onto their other side after 30 minutes
Spinal injury
If you think a person may have a spinal injury, do not attempt to move them until the emergency services reach you, unless their airway is obstructed.
If it is necessary to open their airway, place your hands on either side of their face and gently lift their jaw with your fingertips to open the airway. Take care not to move their neck.
You should suspect a spinal injury if the person:
• has a head injury, especially one where there has been a large blow on the back of the head, and is or has been unconscious
• complains of severe pain in their neck or back
• won't move their neck
• feels weak, numb or paralysed
• has lost control of their limbs, bladder or bowels
• has a twisted neck or back
If you must move the person (for example, because they are vomiting, choking or they are in danger of further injury), you will need assistance to roll them.