What to do if a person is drowning

With the weather getting hotter, Randburg residents young and old are looking for a reprieve from the heat, and often, swimming offers just that reprieve.

But, swimming can be dangerous, and drowning incidents can increase around this time of year.

So, what to do if someone is drowning? ER24 has the following tips to follow, should you discover a person who is drowning.

• If you are at the coast and you see a person drowning, alert a lifeguard immediately. If you decide to save the person yourself, ensure you wear a floatation device and call for help as soon as possible.
• If you find a person drowning and are able to get them out of the water, initiate CPR if there is no pulse and breathing. Do not stop CPR unless the victim starts to breathe on his/her own.
• Call for an ambulance as soon as possible and tell them what you are doing so they can send the correct level of care.
• Do not put the person in the car and drive to hospital.
• In case of non-fatal drowning, seek medical attention as soon as possible and clearly explain to medical staff what has happened. The person may seem okay but may deteriorate at a later stage.