Only Trained Individuals Should Help a Drowning Person!

Experts warn against possible drownings as the weather gets warmer… Experts state that the inability of the respiratory tract to perform its function for any reason is defined as drowning, and that the most common cause of drowning is drowning in water. Lecturer Ayşe Bağlı, Head of the First and Emergency Aid Program, states that drownings can be seen especially in summer months among children and young people due to reasons such as not knowing how to swim or jumping into shallow water, and points out that first aid knowledge is required to intervene in drownings. Bağlı strongly emphasizes that only trained individuals should reach a conscious person struggling in the water, and also warns against leaving children alone in the water.

Lecturer Ayşe Bağlı, Head of the First and Emergency Aid Program at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services, made statements on how to perform rescue and first aid in drowning cases.

First aid knowledge is required to intervene in drowning

Lecturer Ayşe Bağlı stated that the inability of the respiratory tract to perform its function for any reason and the body's inability to receive the oxygen it needs is defined as drowning. She said, “In a drowning situation, tissues do not receive enough oxygen, and damage occurs in the tissues.” Bağlı, who mentioned that there are different causes of drowning, listed, “Causes such as fluid filling the windpipe or a foreign object entering it, the tongue sliding back due to loss of consciousness, hanging, lung damage, gas poisoning, and drowning in water can be listed. If the drowning person is reached in time, intervention can be made. It is very important to gain knowledge and skills in first aid to intervene in drownings.”

Artificial respiration and chest compressions should be performed on a person removed from the water

Bağlı emphasized that drowning in water is one of the most common causes of drowning. She said, “It can be seen especially in summer months, in children, young individuals, those who do not know how to swim, and in water accidents such as jumping into shallow water. During drowning, a small amount of water enters the lungs due to the contraction of the windpipe opening. For this reason, in cases of drowning in water, artificial respiration and chest compressions should be started on the person removed from the water, even if 20-30 minutes have passed, especially in cold weather.”

Great care must be taken when removing conscious individuals from the water

Bağlı pointed out that the most important stage in water drownings is removing the person from the water. She warned, “It is necessary to be very careful, especially when removing conscious individuals from the water. A conscious person struggling in the water wants to hold onto anything nearby to stay above water. Someone without rescue experience approaching a drowning person might also cause them to drown by pulling them underwater. First, if there are materials that can be used around, such as a long towel, clothes, rope, strong cord, wooden piece, lifebuoy, life vest, these should be extended, and the person should be asked to hold onto them. If these cannot be done, an attempt should be made to reach the drowning person with a marine vessel. Even if a marine vessel is used, it is extremely important for the rescuer to wear a life vest for safety. If help cannot be provided in this way, help must be called.”

Mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose resuscitation should be started in the water

Bağlı underlined that if the person wanting to help is not a professional swimmer, they should not attempt to jump into the water and perform a rescue. She said, “Only professional swimmers and individuals trained in this area should do this. As a result of jumping into the water, in addition to the risk of drowning, general body trauma or spinal fractures should also be considered. Therefore, the person's neck should not be moved too much. In water drownings, it is possible to perform mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose resuscitation in the water, and this application should be started while in the water. This application may not be possible in deep waters, so the person needs to be quickly pulled towards shallow water.”

Basic life support should be continued until signs of life are observed 

Bağlı stated that the vital functions of the victim removed from the water are evaluated first. She said, “If they are unconscious and their breathing has stopped, basic life support should be started quickly. Unlike the standard ‘Basic Life Support’ application that begins with chest compressions, in drowning victims, intervention cycles should continue with 2 artificial respirations followed by 30 chest compressions.”
Bağlı reminded that those alone with the victim should quickly call 112 for help after 5 rounds of ‘2 artificial respirations – 30 chest compressions’ cycle, which will be completed within 2 minutes. She emphasized that basic life support should be continued until healthcare professionals arrive at the scene or until the victim shows signs of life such as breathing, movement, or making sounds.

Children should be closely monitored, even in a pool

Bağlı concluded her words by stating that young children panic more than adults in moments of danger:
“Children should be constantly supervised by their parents even if they know how to swim. Parents should be in the water with their non-swimming children or keep a close eye on them without losing sight. Similarly, in pool environments, children should be accompanied or closely observed.”