How can you interrupt the drowning process?

The most effective way to interrupt the drowning process is by bringing the person's face and airway above the water. When a person is drowning, their airway is submerged, preventing them from breathing and leading to loss of consciousness and potential respiratory failure. By lifting the individual's face above the water, you allow them to breathe and regain control over their ability to stay conscious. This is a critical intervention because it addresses the immediate life-threatening condition of suffocation caused by water in the airway.

While calling for help is an important action, it doesn’t directly intervene in the drowning process at that moment. Performing CPR is vital after drowning has occurred and a person is unresponsive, but it does not interrupt the active process of drowning. Providing a flotation device can assist a person in staying afloat but may not be effective if they are already struggling or panicking in the water. Hence, ensuring their airway is above water is the primary and most immediate response to effectively halt the drowning situation.