Learn first aid gestures: Drowning

Summary

Learn crucial first aid steps for drowning victims in this video. If conscious, ensure they're comfortable, covered, and alert emergency services. If unconscious, check for breathing, call for help, and act: place on recovery position if breathing, or start CPR if not, with 30 compressions and 2 breaths or continuous compressions if unsure about mouth-to-mouth.

Takeaways

• 🆘 **Safety First**: Get the casualty out of the water without endangering yourself.
• 👤 **Scenario 1**: If the casualty is conscious, place them in a comfortable position.
• 🧥 **Warm and Dry**: In Scenario 1, cover the casualty with dry clothes to prevent hypothermia.
• 🚑 **Call for Help**: Regardless of the scenario, always alert emergency services.
• 🤕 **Unconscious Victim**: If the casualty is unconscious, lay them on their back to check for breathing.
• 🌬️ **Check Breathing**: Tilt the head back and look for signs of breathing, such as chest movement.
• 📞 **Urgent Assistance**: In Scenario 2, immediately alert emergency services for an unconscious casualty.
• 🛑 **Breathing**: If the casualty is breathing, place them in the recovery position and monitor until help arrives.
• 🚨 **No Breathing**: If the casualty is not breathing, seek a defibrillator and start CPR with chest compressions and rescue breaths.
• ⏱️ **CPR Rate**: If mouth-to-mouth is not known, perform chest compressions at a rate of 2 per second.

Q & A

What is the first step to take when rescuing a drowning casualty?

The first step is to get the casualty out of the water without putting yourself in danger.

What should you do if the drowning casualty is conscious?

If the casualty is conscious, place them in a comfortable position, cover them with dry clothes, and alert the emergency services.

How do you ensure the casualty is in a comfortable position?

The script does not specify, but generally, a comfortable position would mean ensuring the casualty is not in any pain and is in a position that facilitates normal breathing.

What is the procedure if the casualty is unconscious but breathing normally?

Place the casualty on their back, tilt their head upwards to clear the airways, and then place them on their side in the recovery position. Cover and monitor them until emergency services arrive.

How do you check if an unconscious casualty is breathing?

You should try to hear or feel their breath on your cheek, or look for any movement of their chest or stomach as signs of breathing.

What actions should be taken if the casualty is not breathing?

Ask someone to find a defibrillator, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation with 30 chest compressions alternating with 2 rescue breaths, and continue until help arrives. If you do not know how to give mouth-to-mouth, perform chest compressions at a rate of 2 per second.

Why is it important to alert the emergency services in both scenarios?

The victim will have to be examined by professionals in all cases, regardless of their initial state, to assess any potential internal injuries or complications from the drowning incident.

What is the significance of the recovery position mentioned in the script?

The recovery position helps to keep the airway clear and allows the casualty to breathe more easily on their side, which is crucial if they are unconscious.

How can you ensure the casualty is adequately covered after being removed from the water?

Cover the casualty with dry clothes or a blanket to prevent hypothermia and keep them warm while waiting for emergency services.

Why is it crucial to clear the airways when the casualty is unconscious?

Clearing the airways is essential to ensure that the casualty can breathe properly. Blocked airways can lead to suffocation, even if the casualty is breathing.

What is the recommended rate for chest compressions during CPR?

The recommended rate for chest compressions during CPR is 2 compressions per second, which equates to about 100-120 compressions per minute.