Resuscitation of a drowned person
Rescue, calling the emergency services and quickly starting CPR with five initial rescue breaths is extremely important for the survival of a drowning person.
Approximately 100 people drown in Finland every year, which is clearly more than in other Nordic countries in proportion to the population.
Rescue, calling the emergency services and quickly starting CPR with five initial rescue breaths is extremely important for the survival of a drowning person.
1
Rescue.
When the person is in safety, try to wake them up.
2
Call 112.
If the person does not wake up, call the emergency number now at the latest, if for some reason the call has not been made when the situation was noticed.
3
Check if they’re breathing.
- Turn the person on their back and check for breathing. Open the airway by extending the head and lifting the tip of the chin up. Feel the air flow with your cheek and see if the chest moves.
4
If they’re not breathing, start CPR.
- A drowning person is primarily suffering from a lack of oxygen. For this reason, CPR for a drowning person is always started with five initial breaths.
- 30 compressions. Press the sternum vertically downwards 5 centimetres 30 times.
- 2 rescue breaths. Open the person’s airway, close the person’s nostrils, cover the person’s mouth with your mouth and blow calmly 2 times so that the chest rises.
5
Continue CPR until they wake up or help arrives.
CPR is continued at a rate of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until professionals give permission to stop.