| Is the person unconscious, not breathing and has no pulse? |
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Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care:
- Get the victim out of the water if you can do so safety. See "First Aid Procedures Before Emergency Care" for Neck and Spine Injury if you suspect the victim has injured his or her neck in a diving or other water accident. Do CPR. (See "CPR") Start CPR in the water if safe to do so.
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| Is the person not breathing, but has a pulse? |
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Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care:
- Get the victim out of the water if you can do so safety.
- Do rescue breathing.
- Start rescue breathing in the water if it is safe to do so.
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| Does the person have blue lips and ears and is the skin cold and pale? |
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Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care:
- Get the victim out of the water if you can do so safely.
- Monitor for breathing and pulse. If no breathing and no pulse, do CPR. (See "CPR".) If no breathing, but there is a pulse, do rescue breathing.If victim is breathing and has a pulse, put him or her in the recovery position. This position keeps the airway clear and allows swallowed water or vomit to drain.
- Take cold, wet clothes off the victim and cover him or her with something warm to prevent hypothermia.
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Does the person in the water show these signs of near drowning?
- Waving, shouting for help
- Uneven swimming motions
- Inability to stay above water
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Get Emergency Care and give first aid before emergency care:
[Note: Saving a drowning person carries risk. Before swimming out to someone in trouble, be sure you can handle the situation. Many people drown in the brave effort of trying to save someone else because they are not well trained and have not properly thought through the risks of the situation.]
- First try to reach the person with a pole or extended hand. If you can't reach him or her, use a life preserver or rope.
- If the person is further than you can reach and you decide to enter the water, approach the person carefully and from behind. Talk to the person, trying to calm him or her as you slowly move closer. Get the person to talk. Ask if everything is all right and tell him or her to do as you instruct.
- Grab a piece of clothing or cup one hand under the person's chin and pull the person on his or her back to shore.
- Tell the person to extend his or her arms away from you. Continue talking to the person to reassure him or her.
- Start rescue breathing right away if the person has stopped breathing.
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| After a near-drowning incident, does the person have a fever, cough or muscle pain? |
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[Note: Self-Care Procedures do not apply to near-drowning victims. All victims should see their health care provider because lung problems are common following a near-drowning episode.] |