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Instructions for helping someone else

Breathing difficulty after leaving water

Before continuing

In an emergency, contact the official service (132) in your area.

What to do

  1. After water exposure, persistent cough, breathlessness or confusion: urgent medical care. For breathing difficulty, call emergency services now.
  2. If CPR or rescue breaths were needed, call an ambulance even if apparently recovered.
  3. On safe land, unresponsive/abnormal breathing:5initial breaths if able, then age CPR. Already5given: do not repeat initial sequence. Unable to breathe: compressions now/dispatcher.
  4. Cover with dry clothing/blanket. If an AED is needed, dry the chest and follow its prompts.
  5. If safe, stay with them. Watch response/breathing and report changes to the dispatcher.

What to avoid

  1. Do not press the abdomen to expel water. If unable to give breaths, start compressions and follow the dispatcher.
Child/baby: CPRAdult: after5initial breathsVery cold/shivering/confusedAfter rescue: breathing/CPR