In the event of a drowning, after removing the victim from the water and confirming they are no longer breathing, you must call emergency services and immediately begin with 5 rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth), then alternate between 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths, without attempting to drain water from the lungs.

noli's read

The recommendation to begin with 5 rescue breaths is scientifically validated by the 2021 European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines (expert consensus recommendations). Unlike a classic cardiac arrest, drowning cuts off the oxygen supply, which makes the immediate delivery of air essential for preserving vital functions. The alternation of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths is also the international standard supported by the American Heart Association (AHA). The advice to avoid draining water from the lungs is crucial; observational studies show that attempting to expel water delays life-saving efforts and causes dangerous regurgitation. Finally, warming the victim is validated by the Wilderness Medical Society (2016 recommendations) to combat the drop in body temperature. This rescue protocol is therefore rigorous, precise, and scientifically sound.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.