You did it! You recognized someone drowning. You jumped in, you saved their life. There’s a problem. Something isn’t right. They are not thanking you. They are not screaming. Your heart is now beating faster, pounding in your ears. What do you do, trying to remember what you learned in your CPR/First Aid Class can be scary at first but you will remember. Do your Initial Examination. They are unresponsive and not breathing. But I’m still in the water! I can’t do CPR yet. Oh yes, the answer, Rescue Breathing!
Rescue Breathing is used only if the person is unconscious and not breathing. Not Breathing! I cannot express this one enough. You never want to perform this on someone that is breathing on their own! Also, if you are in water, and can get your “victim” out of water quickly and safely, CPR is a safer and more reliable way of saving someone’s life. By quickly, you are talking about seconds, not minutes.
So how can I perform Rescue Breathing in water? Hopefully, you have a lifeguard tube to use, or some other floatation device. You want to flip your “victim” over on their back with your floatation device under their shoulders, positioned just right so that their arms are supporting them. Tip their heads back as far as possible; you want their heads to be submerged in the water, but not their mouths! Now, use your seal-easy or the barrier that you are using. Place it over their mouths and breathe. Remember you are now breathing for them! While doing all this, don’t forget, you are also swimming for the both of you. The best way that I have used and seen done is to basically position yourself over their heads. I know it may sound difficult, but you can do it! And swim, and breathe, and swim, and breathe. The sooner you can possibly get them out of the water, the better!
If you are on the ground, you only want to use Rescue Breathing if you cannot administer CPR and no one else knows it! You also want to be sure the area is safe. If the area is not safe, move the “victim”, if you can. If you are putting yourself in danger, wait. I know it’s hard, but wait! First, make sure your “victim” is non-responsive. “Hey, are you okay?” works well while gently tapping on their arms or feet. Next, tilt the head back and check their airway with your ear. If there is no breath, appoint one specific person to call 911. “You in the Blue Shorts, go call 911!” Now, place your barrier over their mouths and breathe deep and slowly in, twice. Their chest should rise and fall. If it does not, tilt their head and try again, if it still does not work you may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver before you can continue. If the breaths go in, breathe, once every 5 seconds for adults, once every 3 seconds for children. The seconds are counted One-One Thousand, Two-One Thousand, Three-One Thousand, and so on. Loud and clear so that those around you know where you are! Now, you breathe again. Do this 12 times in adults and 20 times in children. Now check them again, if they are still not breathing continue until help arrives!