How to Rescue a Drowning Child

Immediate action to restore oxygen is the most critical step when rescuing a child from drowning, according to the latest guidelines. The "5 golden breaths" technique is presented as essential for saving a drowning child's life.

The article debunks the dangerous myth of "shaking water out" of a drowning child. This method, often mistakenly believed to help, primarily expels water from the stomach, not the lungs. Furthermore, it can increase the risk of regurgitation into the airway, worsening the child's condition and wasting precious time for vital respiratory resuscitation. Prolonged oxygen deprivation to the brain can cause severe damage within minutes.

Recent updates from the CDC and the American Heart Association, along with the European Resuscitation Council's 5-breath protocol, have reinstated artificial respiration as a top priority in drowning rescue. Unlike cardiac arrest in adults, drowning first causes oxygen deficiency, followed by cardiac arrest. Therefore, prompt artificial respiration is crucial.

Upon bringing a child ashore, the immediate steps include calling for emergency medical services (115 in Vietnam) and commencing on-site first aid. The "5 golden breaths" technique involves positioning the child on their back, ensuring a straight airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin, and clearing any visible obstructions from the mouth. For children over one year old, the rescuer then pinches the child's nose, seals their mouth over the child's mouth, and delivers a breath.