In the blazing summer heat, swimming has become the preferred activity for many to cool down. However, with the surge in the number of swimmers, drowning incidents also occur frequently, posing a serious threat to people’s lives.
Whenever this happens, some so-called “popular rescue methods” spread on the internet, claiming to be able to quickly and effectively save drowning victims, especially children.
Among them, the “running with a drowning victim on one’s back to save a life” method has been wildly shared on social media recently. So, is this method a life-saving trick or a harmful rumor?
I. The Frequency of Drowning Incidents and the Spread of Rumors
In summer, swimming pools, rivers, lakes, and seas become popular destinations for people to enjoy the water and beat the heat. However, despite the presence of lifeguards and emergency equipment in formal swimming venues, some people are overly confident in their swimming abilities and enter complex and changeable waters without authorization, resulting in tragic drownings.
Especially in rural areas, due to inadequate supervision and complex water bodies, drowning incidents are even more common.
Against this backdrop, some rumors about drowning rescue began to spread on social media. Among them, the “running with a drowning victim on one’s back to save a life” method is the most representative. This method claims that if a child drowns, simply running with the child on one’s back for more than ten minutes will cause the child to spit out the water and regain breathing.
This claim seems simple and easy to understand, and has a certain “scientific basis” — drowning leads to oxygen deprivation, and running with the victim on one’s back can help them spit out the water in their respiratory tract and lungs, thereby restoring breathing. However, the truth is not so simple.
II. Expert Interpretation: The Running and Back-Carrying Rescue Method Is Not a Panacea
In response to this widely spread rumor, we interviewed multiple emergency rescue experts and senior rescue team members. They unanimously stated that the running and back-carrying rescue method is not a panacea, with a very low success rate and serious safety hazards.
One expert said, “The ‘back-carrying method’ may have a certain effect on children who have just drowned and whose heartbeat and breathing have not yet stopped.
The principle is that during the running process, the abdomen and chest of the drowning child are squeezed through the shoulders, thereby forcing the water in their lungs and abdomen out. However, this probability is very low, similar to taking a gamble, and should not be blindly imitated.”
At the same time, experts also pointed out that when running with a child on one’s back, the child’s head cannot be fixed, and their neck will sway back and forth, which may cause serious damage to their spine and vertebral column.
Additionally, if the drowning victim has lost consciousness or breathing has stopped, this method is ineffective.
III. Correct Methods for Drowning Rescue
Since the running and back-carrying rescue method is not a panacea and poses safety hazards, what are the correct methods for drowning rescue?
Cleaning the Mouth and Nasal Cavities: After rescuing the drowning victim ashore, the first thing to do is quickly clear their mouth and nasal cavities of water, mud, and dirt.
This is because when struggling in the water, drowning victims can easily inhale these impurities, affecting their breathing.
Rapid Water Extraction: After cleaning the mouth and nasal cavities, the next step is to quickly extract the water. Place the drowning victim in a head-down, feet-up position and use gravity to extract the water that has been inhaled.
The simplest method is: Kneel on one leg and bend the other leg, placing the victim’s abdomen on the rescuer’s knee, hanging their head down, and then pressing on their abdomen and back. Note that the water extraction time should not be too long, as it may affect subsequent CPR operations.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): If the drowning victim has lost consciousness or breathing has stopped, CPR should be performed immediately. CPR is an emergency treatment measure that restores the victim’s heartbeat and breathing through chest compressions and artificial respiration.
When performing CPR, attention should be paid to controlling the force and frequency to avoid causing secondary harm to the victim.
Prompt Medical Attention: After the above treatment, if the drowning victim’s breathing and heartbeat are restored, they should still be immediately transported to the hospital for further treatment.
Drowning can lead to complications in the lungs, heart, and brain, requiring timely professional treatment.
IV. Misunderstandings and Warnings in Drowning Rescue
During drowning rescue, besides avoiding blindly following rumors, attention should also be paid to avoiding the following misconceptions:
Blind Water Extraction: Some people blindly perform water extraction during drowning rescue, believing that only by extracting the water can the victim be saved. However, this approach often wastes precious rescue time.
The correct approach is to first perform CPR and then decide whether water extraction is needed based on the situation.
Ignoring Consciousness Judgment: When performing drowning rescue, first assess the victim’s state of consciousness.
If the victim is still conscious or breathing steadily but unconscious, water extraction measures can be taken; but if the victim has lost consciousness or breathing has stopped, CPR should be performed immediately.
Delayed Hospital Transportation: Some people overlook the importance of prompt hospital transportation during drowning rescue.
Even if the drowning victim’s breathing and heartbeat are restored, there may still be complications in the lungs, heart, and brain. Therefore, after emergency treatment, the victim should be immediately transported to the hospital for further treatment.
V. Strengthening Emergency Education and Raising Public Awareness
The frequent occurrence of drowning incidents and the spread of rumors reflect the inadequacy of emergency education and the lack of public awareness in China. Therefore, strengthening emergency education and raising public awareness are effective ways to prevent drowning incidents and reduce the spread of rumors.
On the one hand, governments and social organizations should increase the promotion of emergency knowledge, popularizing emergency knowledge through lectures, distributing brochures, and other means.
On the other hand, schools and families should also strengthen safety education and supervision for children to prevent them from entering dangerous waters without authorization.
In addition, for rumors about drowning rescue spreading on the internet, relevant departments should promptly refute them and release correct rescue methods to eliminate public misunderstandings and panic.
VI. Conclusion
Drowning incidents are common safety accidents in summer, posing a serious threat to people’s lives. During drowning rescue, it is important to avoid blindly following rumors and instead choose scientific and effective rescue measures.
At the same time, strengthening emergency education and raising public awareness are also effective ways to prevent drowning incidents and reduce the spread of rumors. Let us work together to create a safe and healthy growth environment for children!
