[sweerie_banana]

There is no pain greater than realizing your child has drowned. In a moment, everything changes, and panic can set in. If you ever find yourself in this situation, it’s important to act quickly and try to remain as calm as possible. Seconds matter.

Immediate Action

If you discover your child submerged in the bathtub, pull them out of the water immediately and assess their condition. Are they breathing? Do they have a pulse? If they are unresponsive, you must take action right away.

Call for Emergency Help

Dial 911 (or your country’s emergency number) as soon as possible. If you are alone, put the phone on speaker while you perform CPR. The dispatcher can guide you through what to do next.

Perform CPR If Necessary

If your child is not breathing, start CPR. Here’s how:

Lay them flat on a firm surface.

Give 30 chest compressions—place two fingers (for infants) or the heel of one hand (for older children) in the center of their chest, pressing firmly and quickly. The rate should be around 100-120 compressions per minute.

Give 2 rescue breaths—tilt their head back slightly, pinch their nose, and breathe into their mouth until you see their chest rise.

Repeat this cycle until help arrives or your child starts breathing on their own.

After Revival: Seek Immediate Medical Care

Even if your child regains consciousness, they still need to go to the hospital. Secondary drowning, where water remains in the lungs and causes complications hours later, is a real danger. A medical professional should evaluate them as soon as possible.

Emotional Aftermath

Surviving an event like this is traumatic, both for you and your child. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, guilty, or in shock. Seek support from family, friends, or a professional counselor. If your child is old enough, they may also need emotional support after such a frightening experience.

Preventing Future Tragedies

Drowning can happen silently and quickly. Always supervise young children in the bath, even if it’s just for a moment. Consider installing safety latches on bathroom doors to prevent unsupervised access. It may also be a good idea to take a CPR course so you feel more prepared in an emergency.

All in all no one ever wants to face this situation, but knowing how to react can make all the difference. If you are dealing with a loss, please know you are not alone. Grief support groups and professional counseling can help guide you through healing. Reach out and allow yourself the space to process and recover.

[Jem Smith]

That would be terrifying. Your advice is solid.

This is why you should never, every leave a young child unsupervised in the bath. It's also a good idea to do a first aid course just in case.

[eldavis]

Wonderful tips, though i really don't pray fo anyone to be in such a situation, cause some persons might not even be in the right frame of mind to take action.

[Fergal]

I recently did this British Heart Foundation course online and would recommend it to everyone, it only takes 15 minutes and it teaches a very valuable skill. https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help ... 15-minutes

[sweerie_banana]

I recently did this British Heart Foundation course online and would recommend it to everyone, it only takes 15 minutes and it teaches a very valuable skill. https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help ... 15-minutes

This has been so helpful, but sadly, you can only do this via phone because you need to scan the QR code. Such an important skill that could save lives. Thanks for sharing!

[Fergal]

you can only do this via phone

Yes sweerie_banana, that's true, you need either a phone or tablet to complete it fully. The app doesn't record any video of you, but it uses your camera to gauge if you are doing the compressions at the correct rate as you practice on a cushion.

[eldavis]

I recently did this British Heart Foundation course online and would recommend it to everyone, it only takes 15 minutes and it teaches a very valuable skill. https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help ... 15-minutes

This is really insightful, and would help a lot.

[sweerie_banana]

you can only do this via phone

Yes sweerie_banana, that's true, you need either a phone or tablet to complete it fully. The app doesn't record any video of you, but it uses your camera to gauge if you are doing the compressions at the correct rate as you practice on a cushion.

That means I need a certain app to scan the code. Kindly let me know what app to download to scan the code. I'm so interested in the training.

[Fergal]

Kindly let me know what app to download to scan the code

Hi sweerie_banana, I just scanned it with the camera on my phone and that worked.

[germainebull]

Even if your child regains consciousness, they still need to go to the hospital. Secondary drowning, where water remains in the lungs and causes complications hours later, is a real danger. A medical professional should evaluate them as soon as possible.

verily. Even if your child wakes up after drowning in water, you must take him to the hospital as soon as possible for further examination. There is a risk that water will remain in the lungs and cause serious problems after several hours have passed without you knowing. Health professionals should examine him early to ensure that he is safe and prevent any harm in the street.