What happens if you interrupt the drowning process by making a rescue?

Making a rescue during a drowning incident can lead to several potential outcomes, one of which is that the person may begin to spontaneously breathe once they are removed from the water. In many cases, individuals who are rescued can have their respiratory reflexes stimulated by the act of being pulled from the water and the restoration of an open airway. This process can help restore breathing, especially if the person was in a state of aquatic distress rather than prolonged submersion.

When a lifeguard intervenes and brings a drowning victim to safety, vital signs may begin to improve as the environment changes from a life-threatening situation to one where they can receive necessary care. This underscores the importance of quick and effective rescues. Although rescue breaths may still be needed in certain situations, the possibility of spontaneous breathing is an encouraging indicator that the intervention has been effective at disrupting the drowning process.