When responding to a drowning, what should you begin with if a child is unresponsive?

When dealing with an unresponsive child in a drowning situation, initiating the intervention with two rescue breaths is critical. This is because, in cases of drowning, the primary issue is often inadequate oxygen due to water inhalation. Administering rescue breaths helps to provide the child with oxygen quickly and can potentially reverse hypoxia (lack of oxygen) that may have resulted from the drowning incident.

By starting with rescue breaths, you can deliver an immediate supply of oxygen directly into the child’s lungs, which is essential for maintaining vital functions. This action may stimulate the child's urge to breathe on their own and could also help reinstate normal heart rhythm if the child is in a cardiac arrest situation due to drowning. Additionally, rescue breaths should be performed before beginning chest compressions unless you are unsure if the child has a pulse. This approach aligns with the life-saving protocols advocated by many lifeguard training programs.

It’s important to ensure that emergency help is called as soon as possible, but when a child is unresponsive and particularly if drowning is suspected, delivering those early rescue breaths is a priority to address the immediate life-threatening aspect of their condition.