Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with cold water rescue, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person was submerged or immersed in cold water and is cold, confused, or not breathing.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Safe rescue. Call 112. CPR if not breathing. Dry blankets. Handle gently.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shivering, confusion, or unconscious after cold water.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Not breathing or weak pulse after rescue.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cold shock and hypothermia affect heart rhythm.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some cold drowning victims can be revived after prolonged submersion — continue CPR.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call for help. Pull victim out keeping body horizontal if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check breathing — start CPR immediately if absent.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Strip wet clothing. Wrap in dry blankets including head.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to shelter. Continue CPR per dispatcher instructions.
When and how to get professional help.
Any cold water immersion with altered status needs emergency care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rescue safely, CPR if needed, passive rewarming. Do not rough-handle.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Cold water immersion — breathing status and time submerged.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow dispatcher CPR guidance on speaker.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume death because water was cold — continue resuscitation.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT rub limbs or use hot shower on cold victim.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You cannot save someone submerged in icy water for more than a few minutes
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cold can protect the brain — resuscitation efforts may succeed after longer submersion. Follow medical guidance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stopping CPR too early in cold water drowning.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Decompression sickness
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After scuba diving or rapid altitude change, a person has joint pain, rash, weakness, confusion, or breathing trouble.
Heatstroke
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person exposed to extreme heat has hot dry skin, confusion, seizure, or unconsciousness.
Hypothermia
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person exposed to cold is shivering, confused, clumsy, or has stopped shivering.
Lightning strike
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person was struck by lightning or found near a strike. They may be unresponsive or have burns.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hospital rewarming and monitoring for drowning complications required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Continue CPR until professionals take over unless told to stop.