In the midst of summer vacations and intensive recreation near water, the number of victims traditionally increases. According to the data, only in June, 43 people died as a result of drowning in Ukraine, including 9 children. In general, every year the service reports catastrophic figures: on average it is 700-800 people, a tenth of them – children. Such statistics could be avoided if our citizens were able to provide home care in such cases, because rescuers can not always be around.

According to the instructor of the International Charitable Foundation Inna Olifirenko, the procedure of a person who provides home care in case of drowning and is not a medical worker is clearly regulated by the order of the Health Ministry №398 of June 16, 2014, which we are using in our trainings.

According to the home care mechanism defined in this document, if you notice a person drowning, as in other accidents, first make sure there is no danger. Then one should act quickly, clearly, without panic, while not forgetting about its own safety.

• If the person drowns and is conscious, if possible, throw a lifeline (lifebuoy, ball, etc.).
• When rushing into the water, evaluate your own capabilities, water temperature, and direction of flow. Use a life jacket or other means to help stay afloat (lifebuoy, air mattress, etc.). It is necessary to swim up to the victim from the back. If the person is conscious, ask the person to calm down and explain that you are able to help.
• If an unconscious person is in water, turn on his back, and check for breathing. Transport to shore, immediately, as any resuscitation in water is not effective.
• Pull out of the water, fix the cervical spine, if possible, ask for help from others. On the shore, check if the person is breathing. Call an ambulance.
• If the victim is breathing, fix the cervical spine before the ambulance arrives, ensure airway patency.
• If the victim is short of breath without removing water from the lungs, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately.
• If you have an automatic external defibrillator, use it. Note that before gluing the electrodes, wipe the chest skin dry.
• Carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the heart rhythm is restored or before the ambulance arrives.
• After resumption of breathing, give the victim a stable position  and wait for the arrival of the ambulance.

The instructor emphasizes that the quality and effectiveness of these actions will depend on the person’s practical skills and abilities.

If not, call for help, save the person from the water, call an ambulance. But in order not to be helpless in this and many similar life situations, do not delay. Take a basic 8-hour home medical training course and learn the most important skills of emergency care. This will be a useful contribution to personal development, which will help to save if necessary both your own life and the lives of others.

Contact the Foundation and we will help you to choose the most effective program based on your specific activities or individual needs.  Tel. 068-466-43-82.