You encounter a drowning victim who is unresponsive and not breathing. What is the correct CPR approach for a single rescuer?

• A. Activate EMS, perform CPR with chest compressions and rescue breaths; use a ratio of 30:2 if single rescuer or 15:2 for infant/child; adjust to guidelines.
• B. Do chest compressions only; no breaths.
• C. Wait for EMS; no CPR.
• D. Provide rescue breaths only.

Answer: (A)

In a drowning victim who is unresponsive and not breathing, the priority is to restore oxygen delivery as quickly as possible. Drowning causes a lack of oxygen, so giving rescue breaths is essential alongside chest compressions to circulate whatever oxygen is in the blood. Activate emergency services and, if you’re alone, call for help now while you begin CPR.

Use a cycle of chest compressions followed by rescue breaths. For a single rescuer, provide 30 compressions, then 2 breaths, and repeat. This pattern keeps blood flowing while also re-oxygenating the blood with breaths. If another rescuer is present and you’re performing CPR on a child or infant, the approach changes to 15 compressions and 2 breaths with two rescuers, but with a single rescuer you adhere to the 30:2 rhythm.

Keep the breaths steady enough to cause visible chest rise, and compressions should be firm and at a rate of about 100–120 per minute. Continue CPR until help arrives, the person shows movement, or you’re unable to continue. If you ever cannot give breaths, delivering compressions alone is better than stopping CPR, but rescuers should attempt breaths as soon as possible.