Near Drowning Incident Involving Child Highlights Importance of CPR

Water-related emergencies involving children can develop quickly and often without warning. When a child is found unresponsive in water and is not breathing normally, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be performed while emergency medical services are contacted.

Across Canada, including Vancouver and British Columbia, CPR training is widely taught in workplace safety programs and community first aid courses. These programs help individuals recognize emergencies and understand how to respond while waiting for professional medical care.

Early assistance from caregivers or bystanders can be an important step in supporting a person until paramedics arrive.

Water Safety Around Homes and Pools

Many Canadian homes have backyard pools or access to recreational water areas. Young children can wander quickly, which is why constant supervision and secure barriers are recommended around water.

Public safety organizations often encourage families to:

• Supervise children closely near pools or water features

• Install pool fencing with self-closing gates

• Keep doors and access points secured

• Avoid distractions while supervising swimmers

• Learn CPR and first aid skills

These measures can help reduce the risk of water-related emergencies.

A Near Drowning Incident in Rocky View County

Emergency crews responded to a near drowning incident involving a toddler in Delacour, a hamlet in Rocky View County northeast of Calgary.

According to Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Nate Pike, paramedics were called to a residential address after a three-year-old boy was discovered in a backyard pool.

Family members immediately began performing CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Emergency crews transported the child to hospital by ground ambulance. At the time of transport, he was reported to be in critical, life-threatening condition.

The STARS Air Ambulance was initially placed on standby for the incident. However, responders ultimately determined that ground transport was the most appropriate option.

The incident highlighted the importance of rapid response and emergency awareness during water-related emergencies.

Recognizing Signs of a Water Emergency

Children experiencing distress in water may show subtle warning signs, including:

• Difficulty staying above the water surface

• Weak or uncoordinated movements

• Sudden silence or disappearance below the surface

• Unresponsiveness after being removed from the water

Recognizing these signs quickly allows caregivers to call emergency services and begin assistance if appropriate.

Why CPR May Be Used After Water Rescue

When a person rescued from the water is unresponsive and not breathing normally, CPR may be performed while emergency responders are on the way.

CPR helps maintain circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the brain and other organs during the critical early minutes of an emergency.

Emergency response organizations across Canada emphasize that early CPR combined with rapid emergency response can improve survival outcomes in certain drowning emergencies.

Prevention and Pool Safety Awareness

Families and caregivers can help reduce drowning risks by following several water safety practices:

• Maintaining constant supervision of children around water

• Installing secure fencing and pool safety barriers

• Teaching water safety as children grow older

• Avoiding distractions such as phones during supervision

• Learning CPR and first aid skills

Prepared caregivers may be able to respond more quickly if emergencies occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are young children at higher risk of drowning?

Young children are naturally curious and may move quickly toward water without recognizing potential danger.

When might CPR be used during a drowning incident?

CPR may be performed when a child or adult rescued from the water is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

What is a near drowning incident?

Near drowning refers to a water-related emergency where a person survives after experiencing breathing difficulties while submerged or in distress in water.

Why is supervision important around pools?

Constant supervision helps ensure that adults can respond immediately if a child enters the water unexpectedly.

Where can people learn CPR in Canada?

CPR training is widely available through workplace safety providers, community organizations, and certified first aid training centres across Canada.

Educational Note

This article is intended for general first aid awareness and water safety education. Learning CPR and first aid can help individuals better understand how to respond during emergencies while waiting for trained emergency medical services.