Drowning

Overview

Drowning is when water or another liquid gets in the way of breathing. The person cannot get enough oxygen. It is not always loud or splashy. A drowning person may be silent and may not be able to call for help.

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental injury death around the world. It can happen anywhere there is water, but it is more common in places with open water and in young children.

Anyone can be at risk, but young children, teenagers, older adults, people who cannot swim, and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Coughing or sputtering after being in water
• Gasping or trouble breathing
• Chest pain or tightness
• Confusion, sleepiness, or unusual behavior
• Blue or pale lips and skin
• Vomiting
• Feeling very tired or weak
• A quiet, panicked look or the head low in the water while in the water

Symptoms in children

• A child may slip under water quietly and not make noise
• Head tilted back with the mouth at water level
• Eyes glassy or empty
• Floating face down
• After rescue: coughing, noisy breathing, sleepiness, fast breathing, or vomiting

Symptoms in older adults

• Breathlessness or tiredness that seems out of proportion
• Confusion or dizziness
• Chest pain
• Coughing after being in water
• Problems made worse by heart or lung conditions

Causes

Main causes

• Not being able to keep the mouth and nose above water
• Tiredness, cold water, or strong currents
• Not being able to swim or being caught in deep water
• Alcohol or drugs affecting judgment and balance
• A medical event such as a seizure, low blood sugar, or heart problem while in water
• Falling through ice, being trapped, or flood water
• Poor supervision of children near water

Risk factors

• Children under 5 years
• Teenagers and young adults, especially males
• People who cannot swim
• People with epilepsy or heart conditions
• Alcohol use near water
• No fencing or safe barriers around pools
• Living near open water or flood-prone areas
• Cold water shock

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any person who was under water and now has a cough, fast breathing, chest pain, confusion, or sleepiness needs same-day medical advice.
• A child who was briefly under water and seems sleepy, not themselves, or is breathing fast.
• A person who inhaled water and has a new cough or fever in the days after.

Book a routine appointment if:

• You want advice about water safety or swimming lessons.
• You feel anxious about water after a scare.
• You have a mild cough that is not getting worse after a brief splash, but you are unsure.
• You want to make a water safety plan for a child or older adult.

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will ask what happened and check breathing, heartbeat, alertness, and oxygen levels. They may watch the person for a few hours because breathing problems can appear later.

Tests that may be done

• Oxygen level check using a small clip on the finger
• Chest X-ray
• Blood tests
• Heart tracing if needed
• Observation in hospital

What to expect at your appointment

In an emergency, care starts right away. The team may give oxygen, keep the person warm, and monitor breathing. Some people go home after a check; others need to stay for observation.

Treatment

Treatment starts with getting the person out of the water safely and calling for emergency help. The main goal is to restore breathing and oxygen and to prevent complications.

Self-care at home

• Call emergency services first. Do not put yourself in danger.
• Reach or throw something that floats rather than entering the water unless you are trained and it is safe.
• If trained, start CPR if the person is not breathing normally.
• Keep the person warm and stay with them until help arrives.
• After care, rest and follow medical advice.
• Watch for breathing problems, chest pain, confusion, or fever and get help if they appear.

Medical treatments

Emergency teams may support breathing with oxygen or a breathing tube, give fluids through a vein, warm the body, and treat injuries or infections. Care is tailored to how much water was inhaled and how the person is breathing. Some people need hospital monitoring.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for drowning itself. It may be considered if there is a related injury.

Living with this condition

Most people who get quick help recover well. Follow any follow-up plan, rest, and return to normal activities gradually. Watch for new or worsening breathing problems, chest pain, or confusion.

Lifestyle tips

• Learn basic water safety and CPR.
• Supervise children closely around water.
• Use pool fences, gates, and covers.
• Wear life jackets on boats and in open water.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs near water.
• Know the local water conditions and weather.

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet for drowning recovery. Eat and drink normally as you feel able. Ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to return to swimming or intense exercise.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Survivors, families, and rescuers can feel fear, anxiety, upsetting memories, or guilt. These feelings can be strong and may last. Talking to a healthcare provider or counselor can help. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact your local emergency number or a local crisis support service right away.

Prevention

Yes. Drowning can often be prevented with layers of protection: close supervision, swimming skills, barriers around water, life jackets, and knowing what to do in an emergency.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine for drowning.

Screening programmes

No routine screening test is used. Ask your healthcare provider about water safety, especially if you or your child has a health condition that affects swimming or alertness.

Complications

If left untreated

• Low oxygen can injure the brain and other organs.
• Breathing problems or lung injury.
• Infection in the lungs.
• Heart rhythm problems or cardiac arrest.
• In the most serious cases, death.

Long-term outlook

Many people recover fully when rescue and care happen quickly. Some need follow-up for breathing or brain effects. Support is available, and safety steps can lower the risk for everyone.

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