Drowning Te toromi
Every year, around 80 people in Aotearoa New Zealand lose their lives to drowning. Find out what to do if someone is drowning.
When the person is out of the water
Once the person is out of the water, they may start coughing then breathe as normal.
- Reassure them and keep them calm.
- Keep them warm.
If the person is unconscious but is definitely breathing, follow the steps below.
Helping someone who is unconscious but breathing
To help an unconscious person who is breathing, follow the DRAB steps — Danger, Response, Airway and Breathing.
Danger
Check for any danger to you and the unconscious person. Look around for dangers like fire, electricity and traffic.
If it is safe, go to the next step. If not, make it safe before going any further.
Danger
Check for any danger to you and the unconscious person. Look around for dangers like fire, electricity and traffic.
If it is safe, go to the next step. If not, make it safe before going any further.
Response
Is the person responsive? Loudly ask questions like:
- 'Can you hear me?'
- 'Can you open your eyes?'
Watch to see if there is any response — movement or a noise. If not, then grasp their shoulders and squeeze firmly. If there is still no response or just a groan, treat the person as unconscious.
Response
Is the person responsive? Loudly ask questions like:
- 'Can you hear me?'
- 'Can you open your eyes?'
Watch to see if there is any response — movement or a noise. If not, then grasp their shoulders and squeeze firmly. If there is still no response or just a groan, treat the person as unconscious.
Airway
Check they can breathe. If you can see that something is blocking their airway and you can safely remove it, do so using your thumb and forefinger.
If something is stuck, do not touch it as you may force it further into their airway. If it is stopping them breathing, follow the advice for choking.
Airway
Check they can breathe. If you can see that something is blocking their airway and you can safely remove it, do so using your thumb and forefinger.
If something is stuck, do not touch it as you may force it further into their airway. If it is stopping them breathing, follow the advice for choking.
Breathing
Tilt the person's head back to open their airway. Do this by placing:
- your fingertips under their chin to lift
- one hand on their forehead to tilt back slightly.
Do not do this if you think they may have a back or neck injury.
Now check if they are breathing by:
- looking for their chest rising and falling
- feeling for their breath on your cheek
- listening for their breathing.
If they are breathing, follow these steps:
- stay calm
- loosen any restrictive clothing
- if there are no signs of life-threatening injuries, place the person in the recovery position — follow the steps below
- for a baby, cradle them in your arms with their head tilted downwards and slightly to the side
- keep them warm
- stay with them until medical help arrives.
Breathing
Tilt the person's head back to open their airway. Do this by placing:
- your fingertips under their chin to lift
- one hand on their forehead to tilt back slightly.
Do not do this if you think they may have a back or neck injury.
Now check if they are breathing by:
- looking for their chest rising and falling
- feeling for their breath on your cheek
- listening for their breathing.
If they are breathing, follow these steps:
- stay calm
- loosen any restrictive clothing
- if there are no signs of life-threatening injuries, place the person in the recovery position — follow the steps below
- for a baby, cradle them in your arms with their head tilted downwards and slightly to the side
- keep them warm
- stay with them until medical help arrives.
Helping someone who is unconscious and not breathing
Start CPR if the person is:
- not breathing
- stops breathing
- only occasionally gasping for air.
If a pēpi is not breathing, follow the CPR advice on the KidsHealth website.
CPR for babies — KidsHealthexternal link
Complications — delayed drowning
Sometimes there are delayed symptoms after a person has inhaled water into the lungs. This is rare but can be very serious. It can happen up to 24 hours after being in the water. Watch for:
- persistent coughing
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- tiredness
- throwing up
- fever (temperature above 38 degrees Celsius)
- mood changes or irritability
- confusion or difficulty talking.
If you notice these symptoms, call 111 immediately.