EMG/General/TBT-EMG-011

Drowning Emergency Response

Emergency Preparedness › General › Drowning Emergency Response

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Drowning is a leading cause of death on construction sites, particularly in water and wastewater sectors.
A person who falls into water can lose consciousness within 60 seconds due to cold water shock.
Rescue equipment including lifebuoys, throw lines, reaching poles, and rescue boats must be pre-positioned.
Untrained rescuers entering the water frequently become secondary casualties — this must be prevented.
The emergency response plan must specify who raises the alarm, who performs rescue, and how.
All workers near water must know the location of the nearest rescue equipment and how to use it.
CPR must begin immediately once the casualty is removed from the water — every second counts.
Cold water immersion causes rapid heat loss, so hypothermia treatment is needed alongside CPR.
Emergency services must be called at the earliest opportunity with clear location and access details.
Regular rescue drills ensure workers can perform the response under pressure when it matters.

Time critical	Drowning victims have minutes before irreversible brain damage — speed of rescue determines survival.
Prevent secondary casualties	Untrained water rescue attempts are a leading cause of multiple fatalities at the same incident.
Duty of care	Employers working near water must have emergency plans, trained personnel, and rescue equipment in place.

Don't

DON'T enter the water to attempt rescue unless you are trained and equipped
DON'T delay raising the alarm — call for help before attempting any rescue
DON'T assume someone else has called the emergency services — confirm it yourself
DON'T approach unstable banks or edges where you could fall in during rescue
DON'T give up CPR until the emergency services arrive and take over
DON'T remove rescue equipment from its designated location for other purposes
DON'T place the rescued person in a hot bath — rewarm gradually with blankets
DON'T leave a conscious casualty unattended — they may deteriorate quickly
DON'T forget to account for all personnel after a water emergency incident
DON'T skip rescue drills — an unpractised response costs lives in a real emergency

See also: Drowning Prevention and Water Safety | Rescue Equipment Locations

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