5 steps to properly administer first aid to a drowning child.

SKĐS - On June 28th and 29th, 2026 alone, the National Children's Hospital admitted 4 children who had drowned. Sadly, 2 children were admitted in very serious condition, with a high risk of death due to missing the 'golden hour' for emergency treatment and improper initial first aid.

CONTENT:

• 5 steps to properly rescue a child from drowning.
• Step 1: Call for help
• Step 2: Get the child out of the water as quickly as possible by any means necessary.
• Step 3: Check if the child is breathing and conscious.
• Step 4: If the child is not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
• Step 5: Once the victim regains consciousness, place them in a safe position.
• Mistakes to avoid when providing first aid to a drowning child.

Information from the National Children's Hospital indicates that a typical example of incorrect initial first aid leading to tragic consequences is the case of a 9-year-old child who drowned in a public swimming pool. After being discovered, the child was held upside down for about 3 minutes before receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After the heartbeat returned, the child was transferred to a local medical facility and then to the National Children's Hospital. Due to the prolonged time submerged in water and inappropriate initial emergency care, the child was in critical condition upon admission, with a high risk of death.

The risk of drowning in children increases during the summer holidays.

5 steps to properly rescue a child from drowning.

The following are the correct steps for rescuing someone from drowning, as recommended by the Vietnam Pediatric Association and the National Children's Hospital:

Step 1: Call for help

When you see a child drowning, quickly seek help from people around you by shouting loudly and calling emergency number 115.

Step 2: Get the child out of the water as quickly as possible by any means necessary.

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This is a very important step. There are two methods: indirect rescue and direct rescue.

• Indirect rescue involves using readily available rescue equipment such as lifebuoys, ropes, sticks, clothing, and other objects that can float on water to save a drowning child while they are still conscious. Depending on the situation and the nature of each specific case, the rescuer chooses the appropriate method to save the person safely and effectively.
• Direct rescue involves entering the water and swimming to save the victim. Direct rescue should be reserved for professional, trained rescuers who are healthy and capable at the time of the rescue, or for non-professionals with swimming and rescue skills.

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

When the child is brought ashore, immediately check if they are breathing by:

• Does the child's chest move?
• Check if the child is breathing and if they are conscious.
• Place your ear near the baby's mouth and nose. Can you feel the baby's exhaled air on your cheek? (Yawning is considered not breathing). While checking for breathing, you can also gently shake the baby to see if they respond.

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

• Carefully lay the baby on its back on a hard surface.
• If a neck injury is suspected: Move the child by moving their entire body (head, neck, spine, hips) together, keeping them all aligned; do not tilt the head back or lift the chin, just press down on the jaw angle.
• If no neck injury is suspected: Hold the child's head back and lift the chin to keep the airway clear (head tilt-chin lift technique).
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a child by:

- Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: For young children, place your mouth over both their nose and mouth to ensure a tight seal. For older children, use one hand to pinch the nostrils and place your mouth over their mouth. Blow slowly and steadily for 1-2 seconds until the child's chest rises. Perform the first 5 breaths.

- Chest compressions: Immediately after the first 5 breaths, perform chest compressions. Use one hand placed perpendicular to the chest (older children/adults may use two hands). Compression location: the lower half of the sternum, pressing down to a depth of approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the chest wall along the anterior-posterior diameter. Compression speed: 100-120 compressions per minute. Subsequent compressions should be performed in a cycle of 30 compressions for every 2 breaths. Continue chest compressions and artificial respiration continuously (including during transport) until the child breathes spontaneously again and regains a healthy complexion.

When performing chest compressions, do not press too hard as this can easily cause rib fractures or lung contusions.

Step 5: Once the victim regains consciousness, place them in a safe position.

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Lay the victim on their side, elevate their shoulders with pillows, and loosen their clothing to prevent further suffocation. Dry the child, change their clothes, and keep them warm before quickly transporting them to the nearest medical facility. During transport, family members should carefully monitor the child's breathing and circulation. It is best to have the assistance of medical personnel during transport.

Mistakes to avoid when providing first aid to a drowning child.

• After lifting the child upside down onto the shoulder and running, stomach fluids are regurgitated into the airways, delaying cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), thus wasting the critical window of opportunity to save the child.
• While performing CPR and artificial respiration on a child, they stopped the chest compressions before the child's heart started breathing again, hoisted the child onto their shoulder, and ran.
• When performing chest compressions, avoid pressing too hard to prevent fractured ribs or lung contusion.
• Seeing the child regain consciousness, they immediately took the child home instead of taking them to medical facilities for examination and monitoring for complications after drowning.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/5-buoc-so-cuu-tre-duoi-nuoc-dung-cach-169260701155754633.htm