During post-rescue care for a drowning victim, what should you do if distress worsens or they stop breathing?

During post-rescue care for a drowning victim, what should you do if distress worsens or they stop breathing?

• A. If distress worsens or they stop breathing, begin CPR and call EMS.
• B. Only check for a pulse and do nothing.
• C. Move them away from water first.
• D. Ignore distress and wait for EMS.

Answer: (A)

When a drowning victim’s distress worsens or they stop breathing, act immediately by starting CPR and calling EMS. The immediate goal is to reverse the life-threatening lack of oxygen. Rescue breaths deliver oxygen to the lungs, while chest compressions circulate that oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. This rapid sequence buys time until professional care arrives. Delaying action by checking a pulse and doing nothing or waiting for EMS without starting care wastes precious minutes and can be fatal. Moving the person away from water isn’t the priority when they’re not breathing, and ignoring the distress means you’re missing the crucial moment to restore breathing and circulation. If you’re trained, provide 2 rescue breaths, then begin cycles of compressions and breaths, and ensure EMS is on the way (call for help if someone else isn’t available).

When a drowning victim’s distress worsens or they stop breathing, act immediately by starting CPR and calling EMS. The immediate goal is to reverse the life-threatening lack of oxygen. Rescue breaths deliver oxygen to the lungs, while chest compressions circulate that oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. This rapid sequence buys time until professional care arrives. Delaying action by checking a pulse and doing nothing or waiting for EMS without starting care wastes precious minutes and can be fatal. Moving the person away from water isn’t the priority when they’re not breathing, and ignoring the distress means you’re missing the crucial moment to restore breathing and circulation. If you’re trained, provide 2 rescue breaths, then begin cycles of compressions and breaths, and ensure EMS is on the way (call for help if someone else isn’t available).