Child drowning

●Critical

⚠️ Check: Is the area safe for you to approach?

Get child out. Call 112. If not breathing — push on chest. Keep warm.

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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT hold the child upside down or slap their back to "drain water" — this wastes time and can cause injury.

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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume the child is fine because they coughed — they need hospital evaluation.

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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT leave the child alone even for a moment after a water incident.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "A child was drowning. They are [breathing/not breathing]. Send ambulance."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them the child's approximate age and how long they were in water.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Every child who has been submerged or nearly drowned needs emergency hospital care — complications can appear hours later.

Know your limits: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use reach-throw for rescue. Start CPR immediately if not breathing — do not wait for water to drain.

This helper does not contact emergency services. You must call yourself.

When you are safe, you can read more about this emergency.

This content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. Use alongside calling emergency services.

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