What is the correct response during a near-drowning event?

During a near-drowning event, the immediate priority is to provide effective assistance to the victim in a timely manner. The correct response involves several critical steps: rescuing the victim from the water, initiating rescue breathing or CPR if necessary, and summoning emergency medical services.

Rescuing the victim ensures their immediate safety and prevents further risk of drowning. Following this, if the victim is unresponsive or not breathing, beginning rescue breathing or CPR is crucial to restore breathing and circulation. The need to summon emergency medical services is essential because professional medical assistance is necessary to treat any potential complications resulting from the near-drowning incident.

This comprehensive approach emphasizes the importance of rapid and decisive action in emergencies, enabling the victim to receive the best chance of recovery. Other responses like calling for additional lifeguards may be necessary in some scenarios, but they don't address the immediate need to provide aid in a life-threatening situation. Additionally, performing mouth-to-mouth without assessing the victim’s condition disregards critical assessment protocols, and waiting for the victim to regain consciousness could severely delay necessary intervention, potentially leading to worse outcomes.