What should be noted in first aid for drowning children?

Ask:

In the past, when encountering drowning people, especially children, people often carried them upside down on their backs and ran. However, some people think that this method makes the victim more dangerous. I hope the doctor can explain more and instruct the most standard first aid method for drowning cases?

Nguyen Hoai Thanh (Hanoi)

MSc. Dr. Hoang Ngoc Canh, Department of Internal Medicine Intensive Care, National Children's Hospital answered:

First aid for drowning people is very important. Many people have the habit of holding a drowning victim upside down on their shoulders and running, which will cause stomach contents to reflux into the airways and delay cardiopulmonary resuscitation (chest compressions/mouth-to-mouth resuscitation), wasting the golden time for first aid, and even causing further damage.

The correct steps for first aid in drowning are recommended by the Vietnam Pediatric Association and the National Children's Hospital:

Step 1: Call for help: Quickly seek help from people around you when you see a child drowning by shouting loudly and calling 115 for emergency help.

Step 2: Quickly get the child out of the water by any means possible. This is a very important step, there are two methods: indirect drowning rescue and direct drowning rescue.

- Indirect drowning rescue: Using available drowning rescue tools (buoys, ropes, sticks, clothes, objects that can float on water...) to rescue a drowning person while he or she is still conscious.

- Direct drowning rescue: Is to enter the water and swim to save the victim; direct drowning rescue should be reserved for professional rescuers, trained with adequate health and capacity at the time of implementation or non-professionals with swimming and drowning rescue skills.

Step 3: Check to see if the child is breathing and conscious.

Step 4: If the child is not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.

Step 5: After the victim is awake, place the victim in a safe position, lying on his side, with pillows on both shoulders, and loosen clothing to prevent the risk of the child suffocating again. Dry the body, change clothes and keep the child warm, then quickly take the child to the nearest medical facility.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/so-cuu-tre-bi-duoi-nuoc-can-chu-y-gi-192240816113453482.htm