How to recognize a drowning person and act quickly: life-saving advice

Summer heat draws people to lakes, rivers and the sea, but it also brings a higher risk of drowning. According to the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), 45 people, including children, were pulled dead from Latvian waters last swimming season. This year, by the middle of the swimming season, 26 lives had already been lost.

Contrary to dramatic movie scenes, a drowning person usually cannot cry out for help. The body instinctively focuses on breathing, leaving little energy for waving or shouting. Warning signs include a head kept low in the water, a mouth that appears at the surface only briefly, no forward movement, and arms pushing sideways or downward. The person may have a blank look and fail to respond. Children are especially vulnerable: they may slip under the water without making any sound. That is why adults should never take their eyes off a child near water, even for a minute.

If you see someone drowning, the first step is to call 112. The dispatcher needs to know the exact location, how many people are in the water, whether the victim is conscious and whether they are breathing. If others are nearby, ask someone to make the call while you try to help. Do not jump in unless you are confident in your swimming skills; a panicking person may grab you and pull you under. A safer approach is to reach the victim from the shore using a rescue ring, rope, inflatable mattress, board or any other floating object. Push the object towards the person instead of swimming directly to them.

Once the person is on land, check whether they are breathing. If they are breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and wait for medical help. If breathing is absent or abnormal, start CPR immediately, ideally following instructions from the 112 dispatcher. Even if the person seems to have recovered, do not leave them alone.

Children require special attention. Inflatable rings and other floating devices are no substitute for adult supervision, and shallow water can also be dangerous. A child should always wear a life jacket when riding in a boat, on a paddleboard or on any other water transport. Specialists at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) warn that a child may not look injured right after a choking incident with water. If the child develops difficulty breathing, bluish skin around the mouth, consciousness problems, or foam from the mouth or nose, seek medical care immediately.

Prevention starts before entering the water. Choose official swimming areas, do not swim under the influence of alcohol, and never leave children unattended. Talk to children about what to do in an emergency and set a good example by wearing life jackets and following safety rules.