Did you know that, according to the American Heart Association, even if a drowning victim goes into cardiac arrest, if CPR is provided immediately it can double – or even triple – a victim’s chance of survival?
In particular, bystanders are often the first people available to aid a drowning victim, especially a child, so learning CPR can help save a life. It is important to get CPR certified, and once you are, make sure to keep your certification current. CPR certification classes are available through many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting Pool Safely partner, the American Red Cross.
Before performing bystander CPR on a drowning victim, be sure to follow these tips from the Mayo Clinic:
- First, ask yourself, is the person conscious or unconscious?
- If the person appears unconscious, tap or shake his or her shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you OK?”
- Check to see if the person is breathing by placing your ear next to their mouth while watching to see if their chest raises and falls.
- If the person doesn’t respond and isn’t breathing, begin CPR for one minute and then call 911 or the local emergency number.
And remember: don’t assume it’s too late to save someone’s life – even if he or she is unresponsive, continue performing CPR and do not stop until medical professionals take over.
Laura Metro, founder of CPR Party™, also emphasizes the importance of knowing how to perform bystander CPR on both adults and children.
“Five years ago, my 3-year-old son, Clay, experienced a nonfatal drowning during a family beach vacation. The doctors told us that the main reason he survived the drowning was because a friend we were vacationing with performed bystander CPR on him until the paramedics arrived. After the drowning incident, my husband and our friend who performed the CPR drove two hours in silence from the beach to the hospital. Clay was in a coma for two days, but the good news is, he made a miraculous recovery and is a healthy 7-year-old boy! According to the doctors we ‘dodged a bullet.’ This is not the typical ending to this story, but thankfully, bystander CPR saved my son’s life.” – Laura Metro
Are you ready to become CPR certified or renew your certification? Check out these specific resources that can help you find a CPR training class near you:
You never know which step will save a life, until it does. Help give your friends and family the skills to save a life from drowning by showing them where to learn CPR today.