Drowning refers to a critical condition in which a large amount of water is inhaled into the lungs, causing oxygen deprivation and suffocation in the human body. It mostly occurs in summer, in swimming areas, at the seaside, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc. Drowning victims have bluish-purple, swollen faces, congested conjunctivas, and their mouths and noses are filled with foam, mud, and other debris. Some drowning victims may experience abdominal distension due to drinking large amounts of water. Drowning can cause the limbs of the victim to become cold, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death due to cardiac and respiratory arrest. The editors at HowToTrip remind all travelers that those who cannot swim should avoid going to water areas with unclear terrain. Even if it's not a very deep river, try to go with others.
Self-Rescue for Non-Swimmers
After falling into the water, do not panic. Keep a clear head. Do not flail your limbs or struggle desperately to reduce the risk of being entangled by aquatic plants and to conserve energy.
Stay calm and adopt a posture with your head tilted back and mouth facing upwards, keeping your mouth and nose above the water to breathe. Try to inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose to prevent choking. Exhale shallowly and inhale deeply, because during deep inhalation, your body density becomes lighter than water, allowing you to float to the surface. At this time, do not raise your arms and thrash about, as it will accelerate sinking.
Self-Rescue for Swimmers
After falling into the water, do not panic. Keep a clear head. Do not flail your limbs or struggle desperately to reduce the risk of being entangled by aquatic plants and to conserve energy.
Stay calm and adopt a posture with your head tilted back and mouth facing upwards, keeping your mouth and nose above the water to breathe. Try to inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose to prevent choking. Exhale shallowly and inhale deeply, because during deep inhalation, your body density becomes lighter than water, allowing you to float to the surface. At this time, do not raise your arms and thrash about, as it will accelerate sinking.
Mutual Rescue
Rescuers should stay calm, remove clothes and pants if possible, especially shoes and boots, and quickly swim to the drowning person. For an exhausted drowning person, rescuers can approach from the head. For a conscious drowning person, rescuers should approach from behind, using one hand to hold the drowning person’s head and neck from behind, and the other hand to grab the drowning person’s arm while swimming toward the shore.
If the rescuer is not skilled in swimming, it is best to carry a lifebuoy, wooden board, or use a small boat for rescue, or throw down a rope or bamboo pole so the drowning person can grab it and be pulled ashore. Special care should be taken during the rescue to prevent being tightly embraced by the drowning person, which could endanger both parties. If you are embraced, do not pull back; instead, let yourself sink so the drowning person releases their grip, then proceed with the rescue.
Medical Treatment
Lay the drowning person flat on the ground, quickly pry open their mouth, and clear dirt from the mouth and nose (such as mud, weeds, etc.), keeping the airway clear. Then, have the drowning person lie face down on the rescuer’s bent thigh, and press on the back to expel water from the airway and stomach. However, do not spend too much time on draining water to avoid delaying rescue efforts.
For a drowning person who has lost consciousness but still has breathing and heartbeat, have them lie on their side and keep them warm. When the drowning person’s breathing is extremely weak or has stopped, immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Since breathing and heartbeat may stop again after briefly recovering, continue treatment until professional medical personnel arrive.
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