The Ministry of Health reports that nearly 2,000 Vietnamese children die from drowning each year, making it the leading cause of death in the Western Pacific region. The summer season, when many people go on vacation, swim at beaches, or play in rivers and streams, typically sees an increased risk of drowning compared to other times of the year.

Associate Professor, Doctor Hoang Bui Hai, Director of the Emergency and Intensive Care Center at Hanoi Medical University Hospital, warns that individuals who cannot swim or are overconfident in their swimming abilities are all at risk of drowning. Children swimming without adult supervision; children or adults with epilepsy or developmental, mental, or behavioral disorders; and individuals with heart rhythm disorders, injuries, brain strokes, or myocardial infarctions also face a higher risk of drowning if not closely monitored.

Children require supervision while swimming to prevent drowning. Photo: Thuy An

On-site first aid

Doctor Hai advises that when someone is drowning, the first step is to call for assistance from those nearby. Prioritize assessing the victim for cardiac arrest to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation as quickly as possible.

Perform rescue breaths by taking a deep breath, sealing your mouth over the victim's mouth, and blowing forcefully, then repeating the action for a second time. This technique should be performed immediately, as soon as the victim is brought to shallow water or ashore.

If the victim does not regain consciousness after two rescue breaths, initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation combining chest compressions and rescue breaths. Place the victim on their back, position the heel of your hand on the center of their chest, and press down firmly at a rapid rate of 100-120 times per minute. After 30 chest compressions, administer two rescue breaths. If ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation is present and a defibrillator is available, defibrillation may be performed. Chest compressions and rescue breaths must be performed continuously without interruption until medical personnel arrive to provide support.

For drowning victims, do not perform the Heimlich maneuver (first aid for choking) and do not invert the victim to expel water from the lungs.

Note: Focus on providing continuous and persistent first aid to the victim. Only transport the victim to the hospital once they have resumed breathing and circulation has been re-established. Transport the victim in a specialized vehicle, as there is still a risk of respiratory failure due to water in the lungs, even if they are breathing independently.

To prevent drowning, children swimming require supervision from a lifeguard or an adult. Personal floats should be used to ensure safety. Teach children to swim and water safety skills as early as possible. Provide safety training for staff at swimming pools and beaches.

Thuy An